Welcome.

Feel free to wander around the blog. If you would like to contact me, please email at srovens@yahoo.com.

 

• I mainly write suspense with twists of psychological horror. I’ve written 5 novels that would best be classified under the realm of suspense/thriller and two books of short horror stories. You can purchase any of them from this blog. (Go to the My Books: Purchase Here section on the main page OR head over to Amazon.)

• If you dig music, check out The Flip Side, a section dedicated to all things music-related. And if art/artists are more your thing, hop on over to the Spotlight section.
  

•  All Business is an area where I share some experiences, knowledge, and suggestions which revolve around different aspects of writing, publishing, marketing, and more. New articles will be posted on the first of each month.

• The Meet & Greet features Author Interviews. As long as someone has published their work and it is out in the world for others to enjoy, learn from, or experience in some way, they are free to be a part of this section. I welcome ALL genres and ALL professional levels.
  

 

 

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About Me

I am an indie suspense writer with five novels currently out in the world. Badfish was first, Track 9 followed two years later, Buried came third, Rage was next, and Sanctum went LIVE on May 24, 2023! I also have two books of short horror stories, In a Corner, Darkly: Volumes 1 & 2. All are available in paperback AND Kindle format through Amazon.

I worked at Illinois State University as the Stacks Maintenance Manager in Milner Library for 30 years. I’m  retired now, but I’m busier than ever and often wonder when I had time to fit work in every day.

I have a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology and Recreation and a Bachelor’s in Speech Communication from ISU. At one time, long ago, I held an EMT-B certification. I’ve worked briefly in radio and retail, delivered pizza, sold vacuums over the phone, waited tables, and cleaned hotel rooms. (thankfully not all at once)

When I’m not writing, I’m either running, watching weird movies, lifting weights, snuggling with Noodle, our 10 1/2 year old  eighteen pound black kitty, or tripping over our 6 year old kitty, Monkey. Sanctum, my newest novel is now AVAILABLE!!!

 

                       

 

Appearances

Chicago’s Printer’s Row Lit Fest (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022)

Barnes & Noble, Rockford, Illinois. Book Festival. (2013)

ChambanaCon, Normal, Illinois (Dealer and Writers Panel) (2015)

Princeton Public Library (Illinois) Author Book Fair (2016, 2017, 2018)

Books 2 Benefit Writers Panel, Normal, Illinois (2017)

Duncan Manor Blues Bender, Towanda, Illinois (2017)

Bloomington Public Library Author Fest, Bloomington, Illinois (2017, 2018, 2019)

Duncan Manor Spring Open House, Towanda, Illinois (2018)

Cogs & Corsets: A Steampunk Happening, Bloomington, Illinois (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023)

Spirits of the Past: A Haunted History Tour – Duncan Manor, Towanda, Illinois (2018, 2019)

Local Author Book Signing – The Book Nook, Peoria, Illinois (2018)

Barrington Area Public Library – Author Fair – Barrington, Illinois (2019)

J. Jill Author Weekend – The Shoppes at College Hills – Normal, Illinois (2019)

Duncan Manor Derby Days, Towanda, Illinois (2019)

Wheaton Haunted Flea Market, Wheaton, Illinois (2019, 2021, 2022)

Peoria Book Fest, Peoria, Illinois (2019)

Sugar 4 Spice Author Event For MarcFirst, Bloomington, Illinois (2020)

Bishop Hill Book/Author Event, Bishop Hill, Illinois (2021)

Duncan Manor Watch Party, Towanda, Illinois (2021)

Dark History & Horror Con, Champaign, Illinois (2021, 2022)

Holiday Expo at the Park Regency Hotel, Bloomington, Illinois (2021)

Destihl Brewery Maker’s Market (December), Normal, Illinois (2021)

Mackinaw Valley Vineyard Spring Market (April), Mackinaw, Illinois (2022)

Bobzbay Indie Book Store – Local Author Signing, Bloomington, Illinois (2022)

Horror & Suspense Author Book Signing, Bloomington, Illinois (2022)

Art Expo at ARC (Activities & Recreation Center), Normal, Illinois (2022)

Peoria Local Author & Art Fair, Peoria, Illinois (2022)

Holiday Market at The Old Rugged Barn, Towanda, Illinois (2022)

Spring Maker’s Market at Mackinaw Vineyard, Mackinaw, Illinois (2023)

                                                  First Sunday Market Bazaar, Springfield, Illinois (2023)

 

 

 

Writer

Machinations Into Madness E-Zine (2014)

The Grim Seer Society (2016)

Flash Fiction Story, Harvest Time, published by Unscooped Bagel (2016)

Film Adaptation of “Coming Over” (Southern Illinois University Cinema Dept.)

Article for ALLi – Book Promotion & Marketing – “Planning for a Successful Book Fair” (May, 2019)

Contributing Author to Golden Linings II: More Tiny Tales about Pets, for Pets – edited by Carol M. Ford (https://www.goldenlinings.carolmford.com/) (2019).

Contributing Author to Creation of Chaos: Volume 2 (12 ways to make you die) – by Pete Altieri. Blunt Force Press (2019).

2nd Place Winner – Short Story Contest  (2021)– “When the Earth Bled” – by Support Indie Authors https://www.supportindieauthors.org/short-story-contest

YouTube Broadcast – HORRORific Tales – Skin (2022) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzlGkGJuYwI

 

 

 

Film Credits

Executive Producer – Indie Film “Let’s Do Things That Make Us Happy” (2024)

 

 

Presenter/Creator

Writing Workshops – Books 2 Benefit – Speaker/Co-Organizer (2018)

Tales of Terror: Live! – Special Event – nightshop in Bloomington (2018)

Ye Olde Terror Inn – Podcast – Co-Host & Writer (2021) 

https://www.yeoldeterrorinn.com/p/welcome.html

 

 

 

Interviews (other than websites and blogs)

Cabin 7 Radio, Steger, Illinois (2013)

WGLT (89.1FM), Normal, Illinois (2015, 2019)

In Print Radio (WBOM Radio), Rockford, Illinois (2017)

The Pantagraph, Bloomington, Illinois (October, 2018)

Milner Library, Illinois State University, Normal Illinois (2020)

 

Special Reviews from Trade Magazines

Publisher’s Weekly – Starred Review for Track 9 – May 14, 2018 – Link Here

Publisher’s Weekly – Review for Buried – September/October, 2019 – Link Here

 

 

 

Current Member of:

 -The Chicago Writers Association

 -ALLi – Alliance of Independent Authors

I am available for book signings, speaking engagements, or author events.

 

Please feel free to contact me at srovens@yahoo.com

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