The Story Plant

08/22/2023

A thought-provoking op-ed piece from Story Plant author David Biddle in today's Philadelphia Inquirer.

Who owns gender definitions? There’s really only one correct answer: every single one of us.

06/21/2023

Jon Papernick discusses his upcoming novel, "Gallery of the Disappeared Men" on The Virtual Memories Show! Click here to take a listen:

‎Show The Virtual Memories Show, Ep Episode 541 - Jonathan Papernick - Jun 6, 2023

06/21/2023

Check out this recent raving review of The Connection Game by S.S. Turner. Linda Hill says that "The Connection Game is a surprising novel. It’s well written, engrossing and has an edgy modernity underpinned by universal truths and traditional value that makes it an engaging and engrossing read. I truly hope other readers find it and enjoy it as much as I have. S.S. Turner has a talent that deserves a wide audience."

You can read the rest of the review here:

I hadn’t intended reading The Connection Game by S.S. Turner at the moment as the idea was to review ready for publication, but sadly the book went astray and so a few months later than hoped…

05/23/2023

Did you miss our Beyond the Book...Club meeting with Jessica Keener to discuss Night Swim? We had an incredible discussion that went very in depth about important elements of the book. You can check out the video here!

Beyond The Book...Club's May meeting featuring author Jessica Keener and her book "Night Swim." Check out the video to hear all about it.https://www.thestory...

05/19/2023

Author Jon Papernick recently wrote an article discussing Israel's inspiration on his life and his writing. Check out the post here:

Whenever I spend time in Israel I always feel like a more fully realized version of myself — healthier, happier, part of a historical continuum that has often felt lacking to me as a Jewish person in the Diaspora. I have milked cows on a kibbutz in the Jezreel Valley, interned as a reporter for an...

05/16/2023

The Literary Modiin event this Sunday will be featuring author Jon Papernick who will be discussing his upcoming novel "Gallery of the Disappeared Men." Sign up and check out the event at 1pm EST at this link:

Join Literary Modiin for our May Author Event, featuring Aaron Hamburger (Hotel Cuba), Judy Labensohn (Our Names Do Not Appear), and Jonathan Papernick (Gallery of the Disappeared Men).

05/15/2023

Have you had the chance to check out Australian Book Lovers recent podcast featuring author SS Turner? He starts his conversation at 2:05:00!

Click here to give it a listen:

Episode 80 is here! Join hosts Veronica and Darren for a packed to the rafters episode featuring a thrilling and insightful interview with author Ashley Kalagian Blunt. We have industry news, book spotlights in the Reader's Café, chats about stran...

05/04/2023

04/11/2023

The Traveler's Wife 4 Life blog posted a review of The Connection Game by SS Turner, saying "The voice in which S.S. Turner wrote this book was very unusual and very appealing to me. It was unexpected and I enjoyed how it turned out. I loved the unique view S.S. Turner expressed through his characters and I really appreciated how it was not just another fluffy book. It truly made you ponder the world around you."

Check out the rest of the review here:

A review of The Connection Game by S. S. Turner I haven’t had the pleasure of reading many satire books (whether that’s because not many are written, or I just don’t know where to find them 🤷🏽‍♀️). But I was instantly intrigued by S.S. Turners The Connection Game and its synopsis. ...

04/07/2023

The Obsessed reader gives a list of 5 reasons you should make the connection to The Connection Game:
1. Because it makes you slow down. To truly enjoyed this story, brew a cup of coffee and sip as you enjoy the complex storyline.
2. It challenges you. S.S. Turner, encourages you to read and often ponder the decisions his characters make.
3. The drama. Often books are far-fetched and you can’t believe what you are reading, S.S. Turner packs so much drama into this book it was like you couldn’t anticipate what on earth would happen next.
4. For the family connection. The Connection Game had a very strong sense of family relationships that was interesting to see developed.
5. Because of the voice. S.S. Turner wrote The Connection Game with a unique and dare I say, original voice.

Check out the rest of the review here:

Book Details:Book Title: The Connection Game: A Novel by S.S TurnerCategory: Adult Fiction (18+) , 272 pagesGenre: Literary FictionPublisher: The Story PlantRelease date: Feb 2023Content…

04/06/2023

New review for The Connection Game by SS Turner "The Connection Game takes readers on an intense journey into the complicated world of data collection and a cast of unforgettable characters caught up in chaos."
Check out the rest here: https://novelsalive.com/2023/04/06/4-5-star-review-the-connection-game-by-s-s-turner/

04/05/2023

Book Corner News and Reviews writes in their recent review of The Connection Game by SS Turner, "From drawing (and crossing) a fine line between genius and lunatic to exploring human nature and the dynamics of a family challenged in various ways. This novel is part family drama and part psychological thriller--combined with troubling realistic looks at human nature and an element of almost dystopian fantasy. I left the book with some parallels to my real world that made me question my own delusional paranoia levels a little!"

Learn about literary fiction novel The Connection Game by S.S. Turner in this book review spotlight

04/05/2023

Gina Rae Mitchell writes in her review of The Connection Game by SS Turner that "The pieces come together with a relief like the final click in solving a Rubik’s Cube. You will probably experience several of those “How did I not put that together?” moments that define a well-written, engaging, psychological thriller

I recommend this book to everyone that enjoys a mind-challenging tale of humanity vs data, normal vs abnormal, creative writing, suspense, and most important, the power of family."

Check out the rest of the review here:

Humorous, surprising, wise, & remarkably perceptive, The Connection Game is a unlike any other & one that you are unlikely to forget.

04/04/2023

The Connection Game by SS Turner has a new podcast review! Check it out here:

Authors on iTours theme music composed and played by Anita AlgeriRead Book Tours Page: https://www.ireadbooktours.com/blog---current-tours/book-tour-the-conn...

04/04/2023

I'm lousy at remembering birthdays & anniversaries, but some time last week marked one year since the publication of my first novel "In Light of Recent Events". Seems like a good time to express my huge gratitude to The Story Plant for taking a chance on this newbie author, and to everyone who lent their time to read it, reach out to tell me how much they enjoyed it, reviewed it, and of course, cheered me along the way.

A lot of people asked how it felt to achieve this particular dream. Truthfully, it was never a dream. I'm a pragmatist at heart, and so I never dreamed about getting a book published because I didn't really believe it would be possible. I wrote "In Light" simply because I enjoyed spending time with the story and characters. But without question, the experience of getting the book out in the world has been sweet. More than that, enormously rewarding.

I'm almost done with the draft of my next book, "Ducks on the Pond". It's a whole new fun cast of characters, a little bit deeper story, and hopefully some unexpected twists for readers. If I can get it buttoned up soon, it will be published about a year from now. I can't wait to share that one with you, too.
Anyway, big thanks.

04/03/2023

Beyond the Book...Club has chosen May's book, check out Night Swim by Jessica Keener! https://www.thestoryplant.com/night-swim
Available digitally for $2.99 for a limited time!

If you missed out meeting last week with Bruce Ferber, discussing I Buried Paul, you can watch it here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzhPdDIwRvM&list=PLmLOQKsbrY0aObG-0ekZU08S-huzJSf_Y&index=13

NATIONAL BESTSELLER Sixteen-year-old Sarah Kunitz lives in a posh, suburban world of 1970 Boston. From the outside, her parents’ lifestyle appears enviable – a world defined by cocktail parties, expensive cars, and live-in maids to care for their children – but inside their five-bedroom house,...

03/31/2023

David Biddle's recent blog post titled Winding Down with Spring Training: Last Thoughts for Writers is available now!
Here's a taste: "I wrote about baseball’s spring training season in The Story Plant blog a few weeks ago. In that piece, I pointed out that writers don’t get a spring training. I also noted that one of the parallels between baseball and writing is how hard both endeavors are and how they are fraught with struggle. So, with the regular baseball season now upon us, and spring training coming to a close, I’d like to delve a bit more into those parallels..."
Keep reading here:

I wrote about baseball’s spring training season in The Story Plant blog a few weeks ago. In that piece, I pointed out that writers don’t get a spring training. I also noted that one of the parallels between baseball and writing is how hard both endeavors are and how they are fraught with struggl...

03/31/2023

The Connection Game by S.S. Turner

My Review 🖍️
Benny the protagonist is a smart, intelligent person who I think is a little too smart for his own good. It all starts with a television game show called The Connection Game which Benny is a master at. It then ends up with Benny and his family destitute and living in a undesirable state. While I found the plot to be confusing, it is definitely out there and unique but for some reason I was hypnotized and I believe it is because of the different writing style. It was a breath of fresh air. The characters are superbly strange but that is also what me keep reading because we are all different and I loved that they weren't your typical personalities. I think the ending summed up beautifully what was a conflicting read but the conclusion explained it all.

My Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5

Buy link: https://amzn.to/3JV3IbD

Book Description:
Benny Basilworth makes connections. A rare intellect, he sees things that others don't see and draws conclusions that others completely fail to grasp. He has the kind of mind that can make a person a national sensation on the television gameshow "The Connection Game"– and the kind of mind that can be the target of predators.
Despite his brilliance, Benny and his family find themselves destitute, living in a basement apartment with one tiny window that affords them only the view of the feet of passersby on the street above. It is from this vantagepoint that Benny once again starts making connections. Mad, inconceivable connections. Connections that can change lives . . . and turn the entire world upside down.
​Humorous, surprising, wise, and remarkably perceptive, The Connection Game is a novel unlike any other and one that you are unlikely to forget.

03/30/2023

Another book review of The Connection Game came out today from the book tour. Review Thick and Thin came to the conclusion in their review that "Overall, The Connection Game is a thought-provoking and engaging novel that will keep readers hooked from beginning to end. With its unique premise, well-crafted characters, and blend of humor and intensity, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for a fresh and compelling story."

Check out the rest of the review here:

The Connection Game is a thought-provoking and engaging novel that will keep readers hooked from beginning to end.

03/30/2023

"I thought the story of Benny and his family was one that kept me engaged most of the time. And I felt honored to spend a couple of hours with them. I know many other readers will, also, want to read this heartwarming story. It is a perfect example why readers should go outside their comfort zone and read something they would not normally read."

Check out the rest of Amy's Booksy Blog's review of The Connection Game by SS Turner here:

Book Details: Book Title : The Connection Game: A Novel by S.S Turner Category : Adult Fiction (18+) , 272 pages Genre : Literary Fic...

03/30/2023

Beyond the Book...Club meets today from 4-5pm EST! Sign up here: https://thestoryplant.com/beyond-the-book-club

This month's meeting is with Bruce Ferber to discuss his novel I Buried Paul! Sign up to get next month's discount details, and to join this month's call!

Welcome to Beyond the Book... Club, a place for book lovers to get together and read some of their favorite Story Plant books, and maybe discover some new favorites.

03/30/2023

03/29/2023

"The Connection Game is witty and completely unique. I can’t say I’ve read anything similar in the past. I liked that it’s written as a true-life experience. The author did an excellent job of weaving together a complex story that centers around one family and the small window through which they see the feet walking by... The characters are well developed, and I loved the family dynamic. I found myself laughing while also being brought further into the story. The descriptions bring life and I could imagine the apartment as I read. This book is a quick read that will keep you thinking long after you’ve finishing the book. I highly recommend it!"

Check out this review for The Connection Game by SS Turner, and grab yourself a copy so you can see what all the buzz is about!

BOOK REVIEW + eBook GIVE AWAY - The Connection Game by S.S. Turner Get link Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Other Apps - March 28, 2023   Book Details:Book Title:  The Connection Game: A Novel by S.S TurnerCategory:  Adult Fiction (18+) ,  272 pagesGenre: Literary FictionPublisher: The St...

03/27/2023

Next stop on The Connection Game tour, check it out here!

Book Details: Book Title: The Connection Game: A Novel by S.S Turner Category: Adult Fiction (18+) , 272 pages Genre: Literary Fiction Publisher: The Story Plant Release date: Feb 2023 Content Rating: PG: There’s some violence and a small bit of profanity.

03/24/2023

"After spending most of our respective adult lives’ travelling the world, my wife and I moved to a small rural community in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in Queensland, Australia a couple of years ago. We both love nature so we were attracted by the prospect of a simple life surrounded by beautiful countryside. We also dreamt of our children experiencing a more traditional nature-based childhood as opposed to sitting in front of screens within a built-up city environment..."

Click here to check out the rest of SS Turner's blog post titled "The Truth About Living in Rural Australia"
https://www.thestoryplant.com/single-post/ss-turner-the-truth-about-living-in-rural-australia

Check out his new novel, The Connection Game, while you're at it here! https://www.thestoryplant.com/single-post/ss-turner-the-truth-about-living-in-rural-australia

After spending most of our respective adult lives’ travelling the world, my wife and I moved to a small rural community in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in Queensland, Australia a couple of years ago. We both love nature so we were attracted by the prospect of a simple life surrounded by beautiful...

03/24/2023

"Would I encourage others to read? Yes I would. I think this is a book that anyone can enjoy."
Checkout the rest of Joy's review of The Connection Game by SS Turner here, and keep following the blog tour at iRead Book Tours!
https://splashesofjoy.wordpress.com/
https://www.ireadbooktours.com/blog---current-tours/book-tour-the-connection-game-a-novel-by-ss-turner?fbclid=IwAR1m4mlj14o7EiIL-zX69lq6R1NYw8NoQlHNK7gtSQLuzkhzbpw3PnQP9rU

Welcome to my Book Review Blog. My goal is to connect readers with the wonderful and amazing books I am blessed to reveiw. And to introduce you to the talented and wonderful authors responsible for…

03/23/2023

Check out this new review for The Connection Game by SS Turner, and grab yourself a copy today so you can see what all the fuss is about!

Humorous, surprising, wise, and remarkably perceptive, The Connection Game is a novel unlike any other and one that you are unlikely to forget.

03/22/2023

Have you had a chance to check out The Connection Game by SS Turner's most recent review? Follow along on the blog tour so you don't miss out!
https://www.ireadbooktours.com/blog---current-tours/book-tour-the-connection-game-a-novel-by-ss-turner?fbclid=IwAR1m4mlj14o7EiIL-zX69lq6R1NYw8NoQlHNK7gtSQLuzkhzbpw3PnQP9rU

03/21/2023

Happy Pub Date to The Connection Game by SS Turner!

Are you a fan of wit? Humorous, surprising, wise, and remarkably perceptive, The Connection Game is a novel unlike any other and one that you are unlikely to forget. Check it out here for more details, or to get yourself a copy!
https://www.thestoryplant.com/the-connection-game

You can also follow The Connection Game's blog tour here, check it out for guest posts, book features, reviews, interviews, and more!
https://www.ireadbooktours.com/blog---current-tours/book-tour-the-connection-game-a-novel-by-ss-turner

Benny Basilworth makes connections. A rare intellect, he sees things that others don't see and draws conclusions that others completely fail to grasp. He has the kind of mind that can make a person a national sensation on the television gameshow "The Connection Game"—and the kind of mind that can ...

03/20/2023

Have you had the chance to check out David Biddle's blog post "Spring Training and Working Hard"?

Here's a taste:
"I spent the best 15 years of my life coaching city rec league baseball teams that my three sons played on. All three eventually became high school stars (definitely not their dad’s story). My middle son even became a first-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies. He’s been a professional pitcher on a number of levels for 14 seasons. Spring training is my favorite time of year. I am reminded of the connections I always see every year between the writing life and what it seems like to be a ball player."
Check out the rest here: https://www.thestoryplant.com/single-post/david-biddle-spring-training-and-working-hard