Summer Stephens

I am a writer and a reader. I write because I can’t dance, paint, draw, play the piano, or take a photo with all body parts intact and visible. I enjoy all those other things when talented people do them, but I especially enjoy reading when talented people write. I don’t know how talented I am, but since words are my medium of choice, we’ll find out. I sort of like to read my own work, so that counts for something, right?

Since I was nine, I've been obsessed with St Augustine, Florida. I've spent hours exploring even the tiniest nuances of the city, and my collection of written, recorded, and photographic information has grown to the point that I wondered what on earth I would do with it all. So I decided to write books. My St Augustine-related fiction and non-fiction are in the works now.

I decided to set my book in 18th century St Augustine because that fascinating part of America history is often overlooked, and the city is too amazing to let its stories go untold. I read an interesting quote that will haunt me forever: “Knowing the past makes you responsible as the caretaker for their story…” St Augustine holds so many stories yet to be told.

I am married to Bob, and all our children have four legs and either paws or hooves. A few have feathers. We have owned Morgan horses since 1980, and lately I am developing a dangerous fascination with Florida Cracker horses. We no longer breed or show, and our horses are simply enjoying their retirement.

I love contemporary jazz. I listen to XM Watercolors almost all the time unless I am listening to my own extensive music collection which consists of mostly contemporary jazz. My writing music is Hilary Stagg harp, anything by Sting, and a lot of Duran Duran. I know; weird, huh?