Stephy Smith

Why I Write

Hi Y’all, I’m Stephy Smith and I want to share why I write with y’all.

When I first started writing four years ago, I did it to relieve stress and entertain my friends. I never thought of becoming a published author. My goal wasn’t to win a Pulitzer, number one on any chart or any other award.

After my friends read some of my work, they told me I needed to submit to a publisher. My thoughts were ‘yea right’ and I rolled it over in my mind for two years before I got up enough courage to send the first manuscript in. I received a nice rejection letter telling me what I needed to change. The main thing at the time was head hopping. Did you know you cannot have three different points of views in the same paragraph! Even though the editor finished the story and loved it, she asked me to fix it and resubmit. (I’m still working on this one.)

I had no idea how to fix it. So, I kept writing and entered a contest where Lizzie and the Rebel took Honorable Mention. I pulled that baby out and edited, edited, edited until I was ready to toss it in the trash bin. Then something happened.

One of the groups had a ‘pitch day’. I had no idea what was to come or how to pitch for that matter. At this point, I wanted to know how I could improve my stories so I pitched. To my surprise, Stephanie Taylor, with Astraea Press asked for a full submission. If you could’ve seen this fifty plus grandma acting as if her Prince Charming had finally arrived and was going to pass her by, had to chase him down and jump on the back of his white steed it was me.

The next thing I knew, I was signing a contract. This was the beginning of a wonderful year with Astraea Press.

At the time of this writing, I have six published books and would like to say ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’ Astraea Press. Without Stephanie Taylor and all of the wonderful editors, cover artist and fantastic authors, we wouldn’t be where we are today. I’m proud to be a part of this team.