Steven James
Steven James is one of the nation’s most innovative storytellers.
Since developing his skill as a performer at East Tennessee State University (MA in Storytelling), he has spoken more than 1,500 times throughout North America and has taught creative storytelling and writing in South Africa, Ukraine, Canada, Kazakhstan and India.
Best known for his hilarious and heartwarming stories and masterful use of audience involvement, listeners around the world have been inspired by his poignant and powerful performances.
But Steven doesn’t just tell stories. He creates them.
As one of the most versatile authors in the country, Steven has penned more than 25 books of both award-winning fiction and nonfiction including fantasy, inspiration, poetry, short stories, scripts, a nine-book storytelling library of resources for educators, and the bestselling psychological thrillers The Pawn and The Rook.
Sharing his unique blend of comedy, drama, and inspirational storytelling, Steven James is in constant demand as a family entertainer, keynote speaker, and inspirational seminar leader.
What Steven Offers:
• Positive message
• High-energy programs
• Unique original stories
• Side-splitting humor
• Audience participation
Standing room only seminars:
• Secrets of Creativity & Idea Wrangling
• Storytelling for Educators
• Excellence in Fiction Writing
• Advanced Storytelling Tools & Techniques
Specialties:
• Keynote addresses at educational conferences
• Church and family events
• University seminars and lectures
• “Art of Fiction” writing workshops
• Worship and ministry conventions
Credentials:
• Master’s of Arts Degree in Storytelling (ETSU 1997)
• Performed in South Africa, Canada, India, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and throughout North America
• Led hundreds of creative communication seminars since 1999
• Performing artist for the Wolf Trap Institute’s early childhood program for four years
• Award-winning storyteller for his work on Chrysalis, an audio CD for children
• Bestselling novelist of The Pawn and The Rook
• Keynote addresses at educational conferences in three continents
Steven has also served as:
• Board member for the Children’s Entertainment Association
• Special advisory board member for Storytelling World, an international publication
• Judge for the Storytelling World Awards
• Head Judge for the National Storytelling Youth Olympics
Praise for Steven James’s previous bestselling thrillers
The Pawn
“There is nothing not to like.”
—The Suspense Zone
“An exceptional psychological thriller.”
—Bookshelf Review
“Riveting.”
—Publishers Weekly
“An exhilarating thriller.”
—Mysterious Reviews
“Brilliant.”
—Ann Tatlock, Christy award-winning author
“Seriously intense.”
—Pop Culture Tuesday
The Rook
“It’s a wild ride with a shocking conclusion.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Readers will be on the edge of their seats.”
—Romantic Times, top pick
“Steven James has mastered the thriller . . . Best story of the year. Perfectly executed.”
—The Suspense Zone
“Suspense thriller writing at its highest level.”
—TitleTrakk.com
“Steven James hooked me with his debut, The Pawn. Now in his explosive sequel he has absolutely blown me away.”
—The Christian Manifesto
Honors and Awards for Steven’s thrillers
The Pawn
• Finalist for the 2008 Christy Awards in Suspense
• Top Ten CBA Bestseller
• A Peek at My Bookshelf Best Crime Thriller of 2007 (tied with Deception by Randy Alcorn)
• Crossings Book Club selection
• Bookspan Book Club selection
• Audio rights sold to Recorded Books Inspirational
• Mass market rights sold to New American Library (a division of Penguin Putnam)
The Rook
• Publisher’s Weekly starred review
• Romantic Times Book Review Magazine top pick
• The Suspense Zone 2008 Reviewers Choice Awards - “Best story of the year--perfectly executed.”
• Top Ten CBA Bestseller
• Christian Retailing top 100 list
• Crossings Book Club selection
• Nominated for a Christy Award as best suspense novel of 2008
• Audio rights sold to Recorded Books Inspirational
• Mass market rights sold to New American Library
Additional Honors and Awards
• 2006 Evangelical Press Association Higher Goals in Christian Journalism Award - 3rd Place in Standing Columns category 2006 Storytelling World Award Honor Title - Stories for Adolescent Listeners - Astonishing Tales of Spiritual Truth
• 2005 Storytelling World Award Honor Title - Special Storytelling Resources - On the Edge
• 2005 Finalist - Gold Medallion book Award - 30 New Testament Quickskits for Kids
• 2003 Storytelling World Award Honor Title - Stories for Pre-Adolescent listeners - Twinkle Little Star
• 2003 Storytelling World Award Honor Title - Special Storytelling Resources - The Creative Storytelling Guide
• 1997 Evangelical Press Association Award of Excellence for Youth Magazines - With (served as a contributing editor)
Steven James is one of the nation’s most innovative storytellers.
Since developing his skill as a performer at East Tennessee State University (MA in Storytelling), he has spoken more than 1,500 times throughout North America and has taught creative storytelling and writing in South Africa, Ukraine, Canada, Kazakhstan and India.
Best known for his hilarious and heartwarming stories and masterful use of audience involvement, listeners around the world have been inspired by his poignant and powerful performances.
But Steven doesn’t just tell stories. He creates them.
As one of the most versatile authors in the country, Steven has penned more than 25 books of both award-winning fiction and nonfiction including fantasy, inspiration, poetry, short stories, scripts, a nine-book storytelling library of resources for educators, and the bestselling psychological thrillers The Pawn and The Rook.
Sharing his unique blend of comedy, drama, and inspirational storytelling, Steven James is in constant demand as a family entertainer, keynote speaker, and inspirational seminar leader.
What Steven Offers:
• Positive message
• High-energy programs
• Unique original stories
• Side-splitting humor
• Audience participation
Standing room only seminars:
• Secrets of Creativity & Idea Wrangling
• Storytelling for Educators
• Excellence in Fiction Writing
• Advanced Storytelling Tools & Techniques
Specialties:
• Keynote addresses at educational conferences
• Church and family events
• University seminars and lectures
• “Art of Fiction” writing workshops
• Worship and ministry conventions
Credentials:
• Master’s of Arts Degree in Storytelling (ETSU 1997)
• Performed in South Africa, Canada, India, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and throughout North America
• Led hundreds of creative communication seminars since 1999
• Performing artist for the Wolf Trap Institute’s early childhood program for four years
• Award-winning storyteller for his work on Chrysalis, an audio CD for children
• Bestselling novelist of The Pawn and The Rook
• Keynote addresses at educational conferences in three continents
Steven has also served as:
• Board member for the Children’s Entertainment Association
• Special advisory board member for Storytelling World, an international publication
• Judge for the Storytelling World Awards
• Head Judge for the National Storytelling Youth Olympics
Praise for Steven James’s previous bestselling thrillers
The Pawn
“There is nothing not to like.”
—The Suspense Zone
“An exceptional psychological thriller.”
—Bookshelf Review
“Riveting.”
—Publishers Weekly
“An exhilarating thriller.”
—Mysterious Reviews
“Brilliant.”
—Ann Tatlock, Christy award-winning author
“Seriously intense.”
—Pop Culture Tuesday
The Rook
“It’s a wild ride with a shocking conclusion.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Readers will be on the edge of their seats.”
—Romantic Times, top pick
“Steven James has mastered the thriller . . . Best story of the year. Perfectly executed.”
—The Suspense Zone
“Suspense thriller writing at its highest level.”
—TitleTrakk.com
“Steven James hooked me with his debut, The Pawn. Now in his explosive sequel he has absolutely blown me away.”
—The Christian Manifesto
Honors and Awards for Steven’s thrillers
The Pawn
• Finalist for the 2008 Christy Awards in Suspense
• Top Ten CBA Bestseller
• A Peek at My Bookshelf Best Crime Thriller of 2007 (tied with Deception by Randy Alcorn)
• Crossings Book Club selection
• Bookspan Book Club selection
• Audio rights sold to Recorded Books Inspirational
• Mass market rights sold to New American Library (a division of Penguin Putnam)
The Rook
• Publisher’s Weekly starred review
• Romantic Times Book Review Magazine top pick
• The Suspense Zone 2008 Reviewers Choice Awards - “Best story of the year--perfectly executed.”
• Top Ten CBA Bestseller
• Christian Retailing top 100 list
• Crossings Book Club selection
• Nominated for a Christy Award as best suspense novel of 2008
• Audio rights sold to Recorded Books Inspirational
• Mass market rights sold to New American Library
Additional Honors and Awards
• 2006 Evangelical Press Association Higher Goals in Christian Journalism Award - 3rd Place in Standing Columns category 2006 Storytelling World Award Honor Title - Stories for Adolescent Listeners - Astonishing Tales of Spiritual Truth
• 2005 Storytelling World Award Honor Title - Special Storytelling Resources - On the Edge
• 2005 Finalist - Gold Medallion book Award - 30 New Testament Quickskits for Kids
• 2003 Storytelling World Award Honor Title - Stories for Pre-Adolescent listeners - Twinkle Little Star
• 2003 Storytelling World Award Honor Title - Special Storytelling Resources - The Creative Storytelling Guide
• 1997 Evangelical Press Association Award of Excellence for Youth Magazines - With (served as a contributing editor)
