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  • About Me
  • About My Novels
  • Press Kit
  • Podcasts
  • Books I’ve Enjoyed
  • Shop My Products
    • Book Pages Wreath
    • Heart Pages Wreath
    • Small Book Pages Wreath
    • From Humbug to Humble: The Transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge – Personalized & Signed
    • The Letters in the Books – Signed, Personalized, and with a letter tucked inside it
    • Beneath the Mimosa Tree: A Novel – Personalized & Signed
    • Baseball Girl: A Novel – Personalized & Signed
    • Inn Significant: A Novel – Personalized & Signed
    • Little Milestones: A Novel – Personalized & Signed
    • The Postcard and Other Short Stories & Poetry – Personalized & Signed
  • Freelance Writing

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  • How Debbie Macomber Inspired Me

    June 28, 2021 /

    Last week, at the last minute, I signed up to join a Zoom call through the Baltimore County Public Library with author Debbie Macomber. It was the best thing I did for my writing career last week, and I’ll tell you why. If you don’t recognize the name Debbie Macomber, you may in a minute. She’s a bestselling author. Her genre is women’s fiction/romance. Her stories have been picked up by the Hallmark Channel (if you watched Cedar Cove, that’s Debbie’s brainchild, as are some of the Christmas movies on the network, including Trading Christmas, Mrs. Miracle, and Dashing Through the Snow). Her books can be found everywhere—at libraries, bookstores,…

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    For the Love of Postcards (and other written correspondence)

    January 14, 2019

    Writing Can’t Be ‘Thin Love’

    January 21, 2016

    The Beginning of a New Novel…or Not. What I’m Working On????

    January 30, 2020
  • Podcast 6 – Joining a Writers Group

    February 18, 2020 /

    I did something new, you guys. I joined a writers group (and got new glasses…but it’s the writing group I want to talk about). It’s a blissful thought to me: a bunch of people who love writing talking about writing. Truthfully, I’ve wanted to join a writers group for a while, and the time has come for me. It’s time to be inspired by others, work with others, share ideas with others, and brainstorm with others who enjoy writing. Our first meeting energized me last night, and you may be able to hear the level of enthusiasm I’m feeling in today’s podcast. But we could use some help: if you…

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    Feminine, Sparkly Accessories For Fall

    August 28, 2015

    For the Love of Postcards (and other written correspondence)

    January 14, 2019

    Let Scrooge In This Holiday Season

    December 3, 2015
  • Books. Book Talks. Bookshelves.

    January 19, 2020 /

    I’m looking forward to this on Tuesday and to helping budding writers in any way that I can. I’ll have copies of my books for sale and tips for writers. Thanks to the Severna Park Library for inviting me to come! Additionally, I have been inspired by so many folks on Instagram who post photos of their lovely bookshelves. I cleaned up mine in the office early this morning, and am posting the outcome. I still want to do more organization by color, and I have more bookshelves in another room that I can combine with these. But it’s a start. Have a great Sunday, everyone. Enjoy the rest of…

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    How Brene Brown’s research influenced my novel

    June 13, 2022

    Acceptable “B” Words for a BETTER You

    January 8, 2016

    One Week to the Publication of The Letters in the Books

    June 21, 2022
  • Book Vlog (I prefer to call it a chat) About My Books—Available for Book Clubs

    August 13, 2018 /

    When you have friends ask you what your books are about, you realize you have some work to do to better promote and explain the novels you’ve written. In this video, I give a short overview of my four published fiction books, including my most recent release, published just three weeks ago. (Sorry about the loud bang when I talk about the first one…still new at this thing…) I’m also available for book clubs, whether I come in person or call or Skype in–I’ve done both, so whatever works for your book club works for me. Thanks for taking a peek.

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    Podcast 9 – Building Your Story

    March 10, 2020

    12 Tips for Being a Successful College Student

    January 10, 2020
    body of water with people rowring on boat beside tall building

    Remembering Venice Through Poetry

    May 14, 2018
  • Book Club Visits Benefit Authors – Truly.

    April 17, 2018 /

    ** Last week I had the pleasure of attending a local book club meeting, and I had the opportunity to mingle with readers of my novel, Beneath the Mimosa Tree, the first of three novels I have written and published. From the book club side, the benefits of having an author attend your book talk is that you get some “behind the scenes” information about the book, its inception, back story, and inspirations from the author. Authors are typically willing to answer questions and provide additional insight into their books. I enjoyed meeting the women in last week’s book club, and had a great time interacting with them. They asked…

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    Podcast 19: Perseverance, Queries & Writing that First Draft

    July 21, 2020

    Breathing In the Air and Tasting the Wines in Napa Valley | Part Two

    April 29, 2016

    Acceptable “B” Words for a BETTER You

    January 8, 2016
  • Two Upcoming Book Talks & Signings

    June 5, 2017 /

    *** I’ll be taking Inn Significant on the road for a couple of upcoming books talks and signings. The first, to kick off the Summer Reading Program at the Broadneck Library in Annapolis, Maryland, I’ll be doing a book talk and signing on Monday, June 19 at 7 p.m. The Broadneck Library has scheduled me for all three books I’ve published–they are so dear. A special thanks to Shirley Lord for always being so kind. And Annapolis was the setting of my first book, Beneath the Mimosa Tree. We had a good turnout for Baseball Girl; hopefully, some of you will come and join the fun in Annapolis. The second…

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    In Honor of Teacher Appreciation Week & A Thank You to My Students

    May 6, 2016

    Pretty Things, Poetry, and Handmade Valentines

    January 27, 2016

    10 Factors That Influence My Storytelling

    November 13, 2017
  • Let It Ring True

    December 3, 2013 /

    * * * Three questions I am asked a lot when I do a book talk are the following: 1. How much of a character is you? 2. Is it hard to let your character do bad things? 3. When do you write? I’ll answer these questions quickly. #1: There is a little bit of me and people I know in every character I write. Sometimes it’s a blend of many people, sometimes it’s based on one person. #2: Yes…I find it difficult to allow my characters to do bad things. In the particular “thing” I’m working on now, Joe does a bad thing. I have to allow him to…

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  • Wednesday Wisdom From A Pro

    November 13, 2013 /

    First: Today’s Wednesday Wisdom comes from a pro. Pablo Picasso’s work has been emulated and revered. Picasso was a sculptor and a printmaker, but was known for his talents as a painter. It has been noted that he created over 50,000 works of art in his lifetime, living to the ripe old age of 91. Moreover, he was responsible for creating innovative styles of painting, and his works have traveled the world, in addition to being featured in New York City’s Museum of Modern  Art. I’ve selected Picasso’s quote today because it applies to those of you working in a craft, whether it be art, acting, painting, writing, or whatever…

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  • Chestertown Book Festival — Talking Books!

    September 20, 2013 /

    Tomorrow I’ll be one of many authors at the Chestertown Book Festival on the Eastern Shore in Maryland. If you’ve never visited, tomorrow might be a good time to take a day trip. Click the link above to find out more information, and whether you attend or not, remember this great quote:

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    Midnight Madness in Annapolis

    December 11, 2015

    Books. Book Talks. Bookshelves.

    January 19, 2020

    Do You Google While You Watch? And other thoughts…

    August 5, 2022
  • Cookie Recipes from La Pancia Affamata

    December 13, 2012 /

    If you’re not familiar with La Pancia Affamata, let me acquaint you with it for a moment. In BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE, my novel, which is set primarily around the holidays, the main character’s mother owns a Pasticerria in Annapolis. The name of the Pasticerria is La Pancia Affamata—translation—The Hungry Tummy. It’s a bakery that makes cookies and breads. I’m hungry just writing about it. When I head out to do book talks, I bring one of my family’s recipes with me as a gift to the hostess and guests who have invited me to their talks. It is a plate of homemade cookies. Since it’s time to get into…

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  • Book Clubs & BookFest

    November 30, 2012 /

    Last night I spent a delightful evening with a group of women in Clarksville who’d read “Beneath the Mimosa Tree” as its book club choice. They couldn’t have been more lovely, supportive, and inviting. We talked a little about the plot, but mostly about what it takes to be a self-published, independent author. I told them the truth: It’s much easier to write it than it is to market it. I enjoy spending time meeting women around the area at book club talks. It’s such a great way to share a common thread: that we like stories and we like to read. Thanks for having me, ladies.  * * *…

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    Baseball = Love : Reflections on Ripken, Gehrig, and 2131; Baseball Girl Receives an Award; and Thoughts on Moments in Time

    September 1, 2015
Welcome to my website! I'm Stephanie Verni, author of 8 works of fiction, adjunct professor of communication, and part-time travel writer. I love sharing my work, travels, and experiences with you. Thanks for stopping by!
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I read Elizabeth Gilbert’s book called BIG MAGIC when it debuted years ago. I remember feeling like we were soul sisters when it came out because of how I value creativity—both in myself and in my students. I never wanted to be that teacher who put the brakes on creativity. In fact, it was (and continues to be) a driving force in the way I teach my students. I am always amazed by students who believe they are not creative. Yet when you switch on the light and tell them they are, you see the proof of it in the work they produce. They ARE creative. We all have big magic in us; sometimes it just takes a little push to open the door to it. Don’t you agree that half the battle of writing a good story is believing in it? It takes a certain amount of faith and belief in your story— that it is worth telling—to keep you going. You need this faith in order to pursue all the things that go into the arduous task of writing and publishing a novel. I don’t know about you, but the satisfaction of hearing that people enjoyed it makes having that faith so worthwhile. This is my ode to being near the water. My soul always feels refreshed when I’m on the water. Most of my novels take place in a setting that involves water and boating. I love setting stories in places that reflect the love I have for small towns with water access. To me, it always feels like a place where you can escape to when you need that time to rejuvenate. Most of my characters feel the same way. I guess it’s true – write what you know. Which do you think I love more? The book is called Inn Significant for a reason. 💕 Two years after receiving the horrifying news of her husband Gil’s death, Milly Foster continues to struggle to find her way out of a state of depression. As a last-ditch effort and means of intervention, Milly’s parents convince her to run their successful Inn during their absence as they help a friend establish a new bed and breakfast in Ireland. Milly reluctantly agrees; when she arrives at the picturesque, waterfront Inn Significant, her colleague, John, discovers a journal written by her late grandmother that contains a secret her grandmother kept from the family. Reading her grandmother’s words, and being able to identify with her Nana’s own feelings of loss, sparks the beginning of Milly’s climb out of the darkness and back to the land of the living. The porch is open for the season. Thank you to @leeverni and @hector_herbert for all the help today. Couldn’t have done it without you! XxOo Another Blue Angels fly in Annapolis is in the books. Here’s a glimpse for those who love them as we do. 💙 Blue Angels Day here in Annapolis, but I’m sad to be without my husband, who’s in New York with the Orioles and clients. Wearing orange in their honor. Looking forward to seeing the planes fly shortly! I heard this and knew I wanted to make a reel with this audio. It’s so good & true & on 🔥. We are all of our experiences, both the good and the bad, the heartache and the happy times. You are better off with a woman who has grown from her experiences, including the mistakes, misjudgments, and bad decisions. We are a force to be reckoned with.

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