Stepping Up

by D.C. Diamondopolous

What weaves the fourteen stories together in Stepping Up, are characters who on the brink of change must choose between fear or transformation. Whether it’s because of sexism, racism, or homophobia, the stories lay bear the valor of the human spirit. Diamondopolous brings humor and hope to her award-winning stories. This incandescent collection of stories by writer DC Diamondopolous knocked me to the ground. Heartbreaking, revealing, numbing, and provocative, each page touched me, not lightly, but with a fist of shards. - Sharon Lovejoy, author of Running Out of NightThis collection is a vigorous examination of American culture—a gutsy probe into social divide, including fractious family dynamics. Diamondopolous writes with exuberance and emotional understanding. It’s the human element that reaches out and pulls us in. - Sherry Shahan, PURPLE A Far Out Trip, 1965Each story in this collection is a passport to places where characters are challenged to be their true selves, no matter the risk. Every protagonist compels the reader to revisit them. Their diverse stories span eras and genres, yet always target the heart. DC Diamondopolous creates worlds with striking images and surprising twists that resonate long after the last line. Stepping Up is an astonishing tour de force. - Cindy Rankin, author of Under the Ashes

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2021

About the author

DC Diamondopolous is an award-winning short story, and flash fiction writer with hundreds of stories published internationally in print and online magazines, literary journals, and anthologies. DC's stories have appeared in: Penmen Review, Progenitor, 34th Parallel, So It Goes: The Literary Journal of the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library, Lunch Ticket, and others. DC was nominated twice in 2020 for the Pushcart Prize and in 2020 and 2017 for Sundress Publications’ Best of the Net. DC’s short story collection Stepping Up is published by Impspired. She lives on the California central coast with her wife and animals.

Reviews

[Melissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing short stories, wish they were longer,
I won this through GoodReads First Reads

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every story sets up its own unique world through characterization, vivid description, and unique storytelling. Heartfelt and often humorous, it was impossible for me to pick a favorite. Each story compelled me to read the next. I never knew about the Bonus Army until I read "1932" and, I loved the characters of Billy Luck and Daisy in "Billy Luck" and Kit in "Blonde Noir. "Safe Harbor" took me to Catalina Island (which I love) in a whole different way. This is a collection of stories that I'll read over and over. I highly recommend it!