The Changing Season By Steven Manchester

Words From The Author Steven Manchester

In 1991, I served in Operation Desert Storm—and experience that proved to be a brutal one for me on all fronts. I remember making myself a promise in the desert, “If I make it home, I’m going to chase my dream of becoming an author.” And I did.

After returning home from the war, I worked as a prison investigator in Massachusetts. Needless to say, there was great negativity in my life at that time. I decided to return to college to finish my degree in Criminal Justice. During one of the classes, the professor talked about police work but nothing else. I finally raised my hand and asked, “The criminal justice system is vast. What about the courts, probation, parole – corrections?” He smiled and told me to see him after class. I thought I’d finally done it! In his office, he explained, “There’s no written material out there on corrections or prisons, except from the slanted perspective of inmates.” He smiled again and dropped the bomb. “If you’re so smart,” he said, “why don’t you write it?”

Nine months later, I dropped the first draft of 6-5; A Different Shade of Blue (under the pen name, Steven Herberts) on his desk. From then on, I was hooked. I was a writer.

Fast forward 24 years and I’ve written a dozen and a half books, with four of them (The Rockin’ Chair, Twelve Months, Pressed Pennies and Gooseberry Island) becoming #1 national bestsellers.

In the spring of 2014, I met with my publisher (as well as mentor and friend), Lou Aronica in Connecticut to discuss my next project—an emotional, highly-relatable novel for you and old, as well as male and female. After a two hour lunch, I drove home story boarding The Changing Season in my head.

I decided I wanted to write a coming-of-age story that addresses the time frame between high school and college (which two of my children have recently experienced, while a third on his way). I’d set the story in New England and create an endearing tale between a boy (Billy) and his loyal dog (Jimmy), as they experience a summer of firsts: first love, first job and the first time the weight of responsibility is felt. Amidst the twists and turns, I’d make Billy (with Jimmy by his side each step) learn how one wrong decision can change the outcome of a lifetime and how the right decision can bring as much pain as it does joy.

After several months of research, I started the writing to discover that the greatest challenge for me would be time. First and foremost, I am a dad and my children come first. After that, there are other responsibilities that need my attention. To overcome the obstacle of time, I made writing a priority over watching TV and sometimes even sleeping. Once my family is taken care of and the world closes its eyes, I’m up for a few more hours each day—creating Billy and Jimmy’s world on paper.

In the end, The Changing Season took me eight months to complete. It is, by far, one of my favorite novels to date—as I truly believe it is a tale that most people can relate to and feel deeply.

the changing season

Brief Synopsis:

This was supposed to be a simple summer for Billy: one more lazy expanse of time before college began. He’d fill the hours playing with Jimmy—his canine best buddy—going camping and doing all the things he promised Jimmy they’d do before Billy left. But that was before the accident that shook the entire town. It was before the summer job that turned into something so much more than a way to get a paycheck. And it was before Vicki. This summer was destined to be many things to Billy, things he didn’t truly understand until now. But it was definitely not going to be simple.

An enormously touching, richly textured, deeply moving novel of new adulthood, The Changing Season is an experience to savor—with special appeal to dog lover’s.

To find out more about The Changing Season and where to order, you can go here. The Changing Season is expected to release on February 22nd, you can pre-order on Amazon by going here.

Author Bio:

Steven Manchester is the author of four #1 bestsellers: Twelve Months, The Rockin’ Chair, Pressed Pennies and Gooseberry Island. His long-anticipated novel, The Changing Season, is currently available for pre-order. Steve is also the author of the award-winning novel, Goodnight, Brian. He has written A Christmas Wish (Kindle exclusive), Wilbur Avenue (novelette), Just in Time (novelette) and The Thursday Night Club (novella), while his work has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early Show, CNN’s American Morning and BET’s Nightly News. Three of Steven’s short stories were selected “101 Best” for Chicken Soup for the Soul series and he is the produced playwright of Three Shoeboxes. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or their four children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing.