
My new novel, YOU WERE ALWAYS THERE, either in print or on ebook is available through any bookstore or online retailer. If you can, please support your local bookstore. They are so important to our communities!
The many launch events last fall were terrific, with enthusiastic crowds and excellent reviews. Thank you all for coming out and being a part of it. I hope you had as good a time as I did. And thank you to the readers who have posted ratings or reviews of my books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Goodreads. They are much appreciated.
Over this winter and spring, I am visiting reading groups for discussion of the book. I thoroughly enjoy these events which allows me to meet and talk with many readers. If your book group is interested in a visit–either in person or on Zoom–please contact me at srpaynemdvt@gmail.com, or text me at: 802-752-5863. When the summer of 2023 arrives, I will be doing more live events.
Upcoming Events:
St. Albans, Vermont Book Group Thursday January 19 6:45
Bristol Book Group @ Starksboro, Vermont Library Tuesday, June 13 2pm
Island Arts Book Talk and Sale @ The Barn RT 2 North Hero, VT Sat June 17 11am-3pm
Previous Events:
Book Launch at Phoenix Books Burlington, VT Thursday Sept 29 7pm
Recovery Summit at C V Expo-Essex, VT Friday Sept 30 10- 2:30pm
Swanton, Vermont Book Group Wednesday Oct 5th 6:30 pm
Greensboro, VT Library-Talk & Signing Thursday Oct 6th 6:30 pm
The Eloquent Page -St. Albans, VT Saturday Oct 8th 10:30-2:30 pm
Barton, Vermont Library-Talk & Signing Friday Nov 4th 4pm
Live on WDEV FM 96.1 “Music To Go To The Dump By” Sat Nov 12 9am
The Eloquent Page – St. Albans, Vermont Saturday Dec3rd 10-12:30pm
Bear Pond Books – Stowe, Vermont Saturday Dec 10th 11-2pm
Many other events will follow. Hope to see you!
The early reviews from critical readers have been terrific, and I can’t wait to share this new story with you! Many thanks to readers everywhere for your interest, support, and patience. In the meantime, please patronize your local independent bookstores so they can continue to recover from the pandemic. All of my books are available through these bookstores and through on-line channels. If you would like a book signed and personalized, please get in touch through the contact section of this website.

Reviews
Award winning New England novelist, Howard Frank Mosher, says:
“Stephen Russell Payne has emerged as a new voice in Vermont’s impressive pantheon of creative writers, and a powerful one. Now, with his first novel, he has written a dramatic story of suspense, love, and redemption. Cliff Walking is written with clarity, passion, and great sympathy for, and understanding of, all aspects of human nature.”
Renowned American writer, X. J. Kennedy, says:
“Cliff Walking is an absorbing story, skillfully told. Not every writer can interest us in characters who are generous, kind, and good, like Francis, Kate, and Stringer. All three have known horrific events, and have survived. We believe in these characters and care about them. What Payne has given us isn’t a plotless ‘literary’ novel, but a warm and touching love story full of suspense and conflict, likely to have wide popular appeal. I like this story a lot. Payne is in top form.”
Jennifer Finney Boylan, best selling, award winning author of She’s Not There says:
“No one writes with as much passion and insight about northern Vermont as Stephen Russell Payne. With the meticulousness of a surgeon, and the lyricism of a poet, Payne captures the tenacity and honesty of the denizens of the Green Mountain State’s small towns and villages. Reading Payne is like a visit from a good old friend. His tales are always infused with equal measures of humor, wisdom, and love.”
In celebration of Independent Bookstore Day, I will be meeting readers and signing books at the wonderful Eloquent Page on Main St. in St. Albans, Vermont from 10am to noon. Please stop by and support this great local bookstore.