Steven James

Last updated
Steven James
Steven James Headshot.jpg
Born1969 (age 5455)
Wisconsin, U.S.
OccupationAuthor
Education East Tennessee State University (MA)
Genre Suspense fiction, Psychological thriller
Years active2000s–present
Notable worksThe Bowers Files
Children3
Website
stevenjames.net

Steven James (born 1969) is an American author who has written more than forty books, including the critically acclaimed Bowers Files, an eleven-book series of psychological thrillers that consists of Opening Moves, Every Crooked Path, Every Deadly Kiss, Every Wicked Man, The Pawn, The Rook, The Knight, The Bishop, The Queen, The King, and Checkmate. The series has received four Christy Awards [1] [2] [3] and numerous other honors.

Contents

His standalone book, Synapse, a standalone sci-fi thriller, released on October 8, 2019. [4] The book received a Publishers Weekly starred review in July 2019 [5] and a Library Journal starred review in October 2019. [6] His latest nonfiction, The Art of the Tale, co-written with Fortune 50 speechwriter Tom Morrisey, released on August 30, 2022 through HarperCollins Leadership. [7] Broker of Lies, his latest fiction novel, was released in April 2023.

Personal life

Steven James was born in Wisconsin in 1969 and earned his M.A. in Storytelling at East Tennessee State University in 1997. He lives with his wife and three daughters in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains of eastern Tennessee. [8]

The Bowers Files

Steven James' most famous works to date form the psychological thriller series The Bowers Files. Each book delves into the life of Patrick Bowers, an Environmental Criminologist. Although each book is its own standalone story, they all tie together at various points. The crimes are gruesome and sadistic but presented without verbal profanity. Romance is shown, but without graphic sexuality.

Career

Steven James is a nationally bestselling author whose award-winning novels continue to gain wide critical acclaim and a growing fan base. Best known for his psychological thrillers, he has received dozens of honors and awards for his books, including four Christy Awards. His novel Every Wicked Man won the 2018 International Book Award for best Mystery/Suspense. [9]

Suspense Magazine, who named James's book The Bishop their Book of the Year, says that he “sets the new standard in suspense writing.” Publishers Weekly calls him a “master storyteller at the peak of his game” and RT Book Reviews promises that “the nail-biting suspense will rivet you.”

Equipped with a unique master's degree in Storytelling, James has taught writing and storytelling on four continents over the past two decades, speaking more than two thousand times at events spanning the globe.

James's groundbreaking book on the craft of fiction, Story Trumps Structure: How to Write Unforgettable Fiction by Breaking the Rules, won a 2015 Storytelling World Award and was recognized as one of the year's best resources for storytellers; his latest book on writing, Troubleshooting Your Novel, also won a Storytelling World Award. Both books were published by Writer's Digest Books.

Widely recognized for his storycrafting expertise, James has served for a number of years as a Master CraftFest instructor at ThrillerFest, North America's premier training event for suspense writers hosted by International Thriller Writers. [10] He also regularly teaches Novel Writing Intensive retreats across the country with renowned international bestselling author Robert Dugoni. [11]

James's short fiction has appeared in numerous publications including The New York Times. [12] [13]

Accolades

Bibliography

The Bowers Files

TitleYearPublisherISBNNotes
The Pawn2007Revell (Baker)978-0451412799
The Rook2008Revell (Baker)978-0451412812
The Knight2009Revell (Baker)978-0800732707
The Bishop2010Revell (Baker)978-0800733025
The Queen2011Revell (Baker)978-0800733032
Opening Moves2012Berkley (Penguin)978-0451237767Prequel
The King2013Berkley (Penguin)978-0451239785
Checkmate2014Berkley (Penguin)978-0451467348
Every Crooked Path2015Berkley (Penguin)978-0451467355Prequel
Every Deadly Kiss2017Berkley (Penguin)978-1101991572Prequel
Every Wicked Man2018Berkley (Penguin)978-1101991596Prequel

The Jevin Banks Experience

TitleYearPublisherISBNNotes
Placebo2012Revell (Baker)978-0800734251
Singularity2013Revell (Baker)978-0800734268

The Blur Trilogy

TitleYearPublisherISBNNotes
Blur2014Skyscape (Amazon)978-1477847275
Fury2015Skyscape (Amazon)978-1477827468
Curse2016Skyscape (Amazon)978-1503933453

Other fiction

TitleYearPublisherISBNNotes
Quest for Celestia: A Reimagining of The Pilgrim’s Progress2012Living Ink Books978-0899578866Originally published in 2006 by Thirsty
Synapse2019 Thomas Nelson (HarperCollins)978-0785225256
Broker of Lies2023 Tyndale House 978-1496473318

Nonfiction

TitleYearPublisherNotes
The Art of the Tale2022 HarperCollins 978-1400233113
Sailing Between the Stars: Musings on the Mysteries of Faith2006Revell (Baker)
Never the Same: Stories of Those Who Encountered Jesus2005 Zondervan/Youth Specialties
Becoming Real: Christ’s Call to Authentic Living2005 Simon & Schuster
A Heart Exposed: Talking to God with Nothing to Hide2009Revell (Baker)
Story: Recapture the Mystery2006Revell (Baker)
How to Smell Like God: True Stories Burning with the Scent of Heaven2002Standard PublishingReprinted 2005
Praying from the Gut: An Honest Prayer Journal for Teens2004Standard Publishing
Sharable Parables: Creative Storytelling Ideas for Ages 3–122005Standard PublishingPart of The Steven James Storytelling Library
The Creative Storytelling Guide for Children’s Ministry: When All Your Brain Wants to Do Is Fly!2002Standard PublishingPart of The Steven James Storytelling Library
30 New Testament Interactive Stories for Young Children2007Standard PublishingPart of The Steven James Storytelling Library
30 Old Testament QuickSkits for Kids2004Standard PublishingPart of The Steven James Storytelling Library
30 New Testament QuickSkits for Kids2004Standard PublishingPart of The Steven James Storytelling Library
Bible Story QuickSkits for 2 Kids2008Standard PublishingPart of The Steven James Storytelling Library
Crazy and Creative Bible Stories for Preteens2005Standard PublishingPart of The Steven James Storytelling Library
30 Old Testament Interactive Stories for Young Children2007Standard PublishingPart of The Steven James Storytelling Library
Believe It!2003Standard Publishing
Jawdroppers: 36 Shocking Stories for Students Based on the Sayings of Jesus2001Standard Publishing
Drama for Real Life: 16 Scripts About Choices that Shape Us2006IVP Books
Gather Round the Dinner Fable2006David C. Cook
Worship Sketches 2 Perform2000Meriwether Publishing
24 Tandem Bible hero Story Scripts for Children’s Ministry2004Standard PublishingPart of The Steven James Storytelling Library
24 Tandem Bible Storyscripts for Children’s Ministry2004Standard PublishingPart of The Steven James Storytelling Library
Astonishing Tales of Spiritual Truth: Gripping Stories Based on the Sayings of Jesus2005Standard Publishing
More Worship Sketches 2 Perform2002Meriwether Publishing
On the Edge: A Collection of 17 Hard-Hitting Christian Monologues for Youth2004Christian Publishers LLC
Story Trumps Structure2014 Writer's Digest Books
Troubleshooting Your Novel2016Writer's Digest Books

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References

  1. "Christy Awards 2001-2010 Winners and Finalists" (PDF). 2013-03-14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-01-24.
  2. "Christy Awards 2011 Winners + Finalists". 2013-03-14.
  3. "Christy Awards 2012 Winners + Finalists". 2013-03-14.
  4. "Synapse". Thomas Nelson. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  5. "Synapse". Publishers Weekly. July 26, 2019.
  6. "Synapse". Library Journal. October 1, 2019.
  7. "The Art of the Tale: Engage Your Audience, Elevate Your Organization, and Share Your Message Through Storytelling".
  8. James, Steven. "Bio". Steven James. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  9. "International Book Awards - Honoring Excellence in Independent & Mainstream Publishing". www.internationalbookawards.com. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  10. "ThrillerFest XV | July 7 – 11, 2020 | Grand Hyatt | New York City — The Premier Conference for Thriller Enthusiasts". thrillerfest.com. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  11. "Welcome". Voice of Imagination. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  12. James, Steven (July 29, 2019). ""Artificials Should Be Allowed to Worship"". The New York Times.
  13. James, Steven (March 16, 2020). ""Criminals Should Serve Their Sentences Psychologically"". The New York Times.
  14. "The Christy Awards". www.christyawards.com.
  15. "The Christy Awards". www.christyawards.com.
  16. "2015 Storytelling World Resource Awards". storytellingworld.com. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  17. "2015 Storytelling World Resource Awards". storytellingworld.com. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  18. "2012 Christian Book Award Finalists Announced - ECPA". www.ecpa.org. Retrieved 2017-11-16.
  19. Abraham, Felicia. "Retailers Choice Awards 2012 winners announced". Christian Retailing. Retrieved 2017-11-16.
  20. "International Thriller Writers – Past Nominees and Winners". thrillerwriters.org. Retrieved 2017-11-16.