Court Stevens, director of the Warren County Public Library and an established author, has released her tenth novel, Tell Me Something Good, marking her first foray into adult fiction.
Stevens, who has built a successful career primarily writing young adult fiction, described the transition as a natural evolution. “I like to say it’s like Monopoly—you have to be a certain age to start, but there’s no age limit. All of these books kind of fall into that,” she explained.
The novel also offers a meaningful connection for local readers, as it features a fictional town named Bent Tree—a subtle nod to Bowling Green. “If you’re from Bowling Green and I say ‘Bent Tree,’ you might recognize that,” Stevens said. “The little town in the book is called Bent Tree—but of course, it’s not really Bent Tree. It’s another place, layered with bits and pieces of settings I know. It’s not the town I grew up in, but it feels familiar.”
Reflecting on her decade-long writing journey, Stevens expressed gratitude for the opportunities and growth she has experienced. “To have been doing this for over ten years—that’s a privilege,” she said. “I remember wondering if I’d ever get published. Now, I’m confident I can be published—but my goal is always to write something great. Each new book is a chance to do that—maybe even to do it better.”
Tell Me Something Good holds particular emotional significance for Stevens, inspired by the recent loss of her father. “I actually lost my dad right before I started writing this book,” she shared. “So much of it is an homage to fatherhood—what it means to be deeply loved and cherished. For everyone who’s part of a family, I hope they dig in and love hard. It really does matter.”
