Appearances

Stephen is available for interviews as well as readings and signings depending upon his schedule. He is a thoughtful, engaging and entertaining speaker interested in appearing at book stores, book fairs, in classrooms, at fundraisers, reading group discussion sessions or other events. He will be donating a portion of any profits from his novel, Cliff Walkingto worthy causes working to end spousal and child abuse. A portion of profits from his book, Riding My Guitar – The Rick Norcross Story will be donated to The Lake Champlain Land Trust. Please send requests for appearances to: srpaynemd@hotmail.com.

Information about upcoming appearances can be found here.

Previous Events

Thursday, Oct 4, 2018 National launch at Phoenix Books-Burlington, Vermont 7pm

Sunday, Nov 4th 7pm. Featured author on the Cold River Radio Show, Intervale, NH, hosted by White Birch Books, of North Conway, NH.

Sat. Nov. 10th  11am to 1pm Bear Pond Books, Main St., Stowe, Vermont 

Tues. Nov. 13th 6:30 pm The Flying Pig Bookstore, Shelburne, Vermont

Sat. Nov. 17th 11am to 2pm at The Eloquent Page,  70 N. Maine St, St. Albans, Vermont 

Sat. Dec. 1st  10am to 1:30pm at Bridgeside Books,  29 Stowe St., Waterbury, Vermont

Sat. Dec. 1st 3 to 6pm at Phoenix Books-Essex Vermont, 2 Carmichael St./Lang Farm, Essex, VT

Sat. Dec. 8th 10am to 1pm  Phoenix Books-Rutland 2 Center St. Rutland, Vermont

Sat. Dec.8th 5:30 pm. Main St. Landing, Burlington, Vermont – Reception before David Mallett concert

Hope to see you Saturday, April 7th from 10:30am to noon at the Swanton, Vermont Public Library’s “Meet the Authors” event. I will join four other authors to discuss our experiences with writing and publishing . Should be a lively, informative discussion. 

Please join me Thursday January 25 at 6 pm to celebrate the release of Howard Mosher’s final, posthumous book, POINTS NORTH at the wonderful Bridgeside Books on Stowe St. in Waterbury. Howard was a dear friend and mentor and Hiata plans to have a community gathering to honor him and his works.  I will look forward to seeing you. Thank you. 

Tuesday, January 30 5:30-7pm, Phoenix Books Burlington will host Chris Bohjalian, Stephen Kiernan and I to read from and celebrate the release of Howard Mosher’s final book, POINTS NORTH, a collection of stories. Please join us for this gathering to honor one of our most beloved authors. Refreshments will be served. 

My short story collection TIES THAT BIND US has been released. I am delighted with early reviews and look forward to sharing these special stories with you. Hope to see you at one of our book events soon! 

Wed, December 7 Stephen will be interviewed on WDEV 96.1 FM’s “Open Mike” show.

Sat. December 10, Stephen will appear on WDEV as a guest with legendary radio duo Ken Squire and Jack Donovan on “Music To Go To The Dump By at 9:30 am, followed by a book signing at Bridgeside Books on Stowe Street in Downtown Waterbury. 

Saturday, December 10 Stephen will appear at the wonderful Bridgeside Books on Stowe St. in downtown Waterbury, Vermont from 11-2 for a book signing, including his new Vermont short story collection, TIES THAT BIND US. 

Saturday, Nov 7, 2015 Rick Norcross and I will be at the South Burlington, Vermont Library from 2-3pm putting on “Stories and Songs,” which will feature Rick performing some of his terrific folk songs and my discussing his rather amazing life chronicled in my book, Riding My Guitar-The Rick Norcross Story.  Hope to see you there!

Sunday, Sept 13, 2015 7pm, live on The Cold River Radio Show at the Theater in the Wood in Intervale, NH., discussing my novel, Cliff Walking. This is a terrific show in a beautiful setting. Hope you can join us. Info and tickets at: www.coldriverradio.com. 

Sat, July 18, 2015 2:30 League of Vermont Writers Summer Event, Jerry Johnson’s, Albany, Vermont: I will be giving a presentation on The Importance of Literary Mentors. This is a day long gathering for all those who love the written word with many presentations and time for networking. Hope to see you there!

Sunday, May 7, 2015  1-4pm Camp Hochelaga, South Hero, Vermont: appearing with legendary Vermont musician, Rick Norcross at a benefit for the camp. 

Thursday, April 30, 2015 5:30-7:30pm Shelburne Vineyard, Shelburne, Vermont, a benefit with Stephen and nine other Vermont authors for the Cynthia K. Hoehl Institute for Excellence at the Stern Center. Mingle with the authors, enjoy wine and delicious food and get your books personally signed.

Tuesday, April 28th 6:30 Sheldon, Vermont Library for an evening with Stephen and Rick Norcross to discuss Riding My Guitar – The Rick Norcross Story. We will discuss Rick’s fascinating life and he promises to play a few of his wonderful Vermont songs. 

Thursday, April , 2015 10:30am: Stephen will visit the Ocean Park, Maine Book Group at the Pines for a discussion of his novel, Cliff Walking. 

Stephen was a featured author at Behind The Book, an author’s panel discussion followed by writing workshops Sat April 5, 2014 from 1-3pm at the St. Albans, Vermont Library on Maiden Lane just off beautiful Taylor Park. Please join us to talk about how we find and harness creativity and turn it into the written word. Refreshments will be served. Hope to see you there. Info: 802-524-1507

Stephen was a featured author at the 2013 BURLINGTON, VERMONT BOOK FESTIVALSATURDAY SEPTEMBER 21ST AT THE FLETCHER FREE LIBRARY. 

Stephen’s novel Cliff Walking is now in stock in all Sherman Bookstores in Maine. Please visit these great independent bookstores in Bar Harbor, Camden, Boothbay Harbor and Freeport. 

Riding My Guitar – The Rick Norcross Story has been released by Cedar Ledge Publishing as part of the celebration of Rick’s 50th anniversary as a professional musician. Our kick off event will be held at Phoenix Books Burlington, Thursday, June 20, 2013, 7pm and will feature Stephen talking about the book and Rick performing some of his classic folk songs. Stephen will also be speaking in between sets when Rick and The Ramblers Western Swing Band play a special concert Sunday June 30, 2013, 5:30 at the Grand Isle Lake House for Island Arts. A portion of proceeds from the book will be donated to The Lake Champlain Land Trust.  Stay tuned for multiple other events featuring Rick and Stephen that will be sure to entertain. Please buy your books at local bookstores but if you can’t, all books are available at Amazon.com.

Stephen Russell Payne is a fourth-generation Vermonter from the Northeast Kingdom. A surgeon by trade, he has been writing most of his life and has published many stories, both fiction and non-fiction. His acclaimed debut novel, Cliff Walking, was released in 2011 andis available through bookstores and through Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.comA portion of proceeds from sales will be donated to causes working to end spousal and child abuse, including Prevent Child Abuse Vermont .

Already garnering impressive endorsements, this is an intense, passionate love story that takes readers on a riveting emotional journey. Once you’ve begun reading, you simply won’t want to put it down. 

New June 2013 review of Cliff Walking by Frederick Green, MD in General Surgery News

As renowned American writer, X. J. Kennedy, says of Cliff Walking “Payne is in top form.”

Stephen and Rick Norcross appeared on WCAX – CBS TV live from the Champlain Valley Fair 8-28-13. Check it out here

Payne and Rick Norcross appeared on Positively Vermont to discuss Riding My Guitar – The Rick Norcross Story: 

Payne appeared with Linda Johnson, Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Vermont on Burlington Ch 17 TV’s program Positively Vermont to talk about Cliff Walking, which can be viewed here

You can watch a brief video of Payne’s 2011 Cliff Walking interview on WCAX-CBS TV Ch 3 here

Please check out this story in Seven Days that talks about Cliff Walking being a top selling regional book. 

Listen to Vermont Public Radio’s Vermont Edition 6-25-12 when Phoenix Books owner, Mike Desanto discusses their best seller, Cliff Walking.