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NEWS! Stephen’s new novel, ALMOST APRIL will launch at Phoenix Books-Burlington, Vermont on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Please join us for a book signing and lively discussion of this coming-of-age love story set along Lake Champlain in Vermont. Hope to see you there!
Under unimaginable circumstances, ALMOST APRIL is a dramatic coming-of-age love story that brings together a beautiful Olympic-hopeful skater and an old sheriff, Harry Thurber, and his wonderful wife, Bea. Set along Lake Champlain, the relationships that develop out of tragedy are as beautiful and challenging as the Vermont landscape in which the story is set. As one early reader said: “I simply could not put this extraordinary novel down. Heartbreak and hope have never been more finely woven together.” The September launch will be followed by many author events. Please stay tuned for details this summer.
PS: Here’s a link to an interview I did on WDEV’s Vermont Viewpoint Program about the League of Vermont Writers.
https://blubrry.com/vermontviewpoint/144570780/brad-ferland-on-league-of-vermont-writers-meadow-hill-consulting-and-kesha-ram-hinsdale-vermont-senate-majority-leader/
If you can, please support your local bookstore. They are so important to our communities!
I always enjoy visiting reading groups and libraries for discussion of any of my books. I thoroughly enjoy these events which allows me to meet and talk with many readers. If your book group or library is interested in a visit–either in person or on Zoom–please get in touch through my contact page on this site.
In addition to my own work, I continue to help my dear friend, legendary folksinger, Jonathan Edwards, as he works toward completing his fascinating memoir.
Previous events:
St. Albans, Vermont Book Fair May 3, 2026
Bookstock, Woodstock. Vermont May 17, 2005
Venice Beach, Florida Book Group Discussion and Signing March 16, 2025
Sheldon, Vermont Library, Thursday, July 18th, 7pm, Book discussion and signing
St. Albans Library, “The Writer’s Life”/discussion of You Were Always There. Thursday, May 16 6:30pm
Enosburg, Vermont Library book discussion Tuesday, April 16, 2024 6 pm
Venice Beach, Florida Library Wed, March 13, 2024 3pm
St. Albans, Vermont Book Group Thursday January 19 6:45
Interview on NEK-TV, and WJJZ Radio, Newport/Derby, Vermont Tuesday April 11
St. Albans, Vermont Book Fair at City Hall Main St. Saturday May 7 10-4pm
Interview: Vermont ArtistsAuthors on Storycomic June 8th 7pm
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
Eloquent Page Sidewalk Sale Event St. Albans, Vermont July 8 10-1pm
Live on Vermont Viewpoint Show WDEV discussing upcoming LVW Retreat July 10 10am
Speaking on “Writing Discipline-Why Our Stories Matter” at the Vermont League of Writers’ Retreat “Into the Words” Saturday, July 15th Jerry Johnson’s schoolhouse home, Creek Road Albany, Vermont
Signing and Meet & Greet @ Sherman’s Books, Boothbay Harbor, Maine Sat July 29th 1:30-4:30pm
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-Signing -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 – Signing Stowe, Vermont Saturday Dec 10th 11-2pm
Live on Travels with Charlie Show WDEV Radio – Discussion Monday
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
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.
