Having dropped out four years ago, I'm back. Been writing and publishing 14 books since then, bringing my total to 26 books, plus participating in two anthologies, one of which I edited and formatted for a writing group. I've written four scripts so far: one was optioned, and I published the other two after going through the contest route a second time. By publishing them, they aren't sitting on my shelf.
A former English professor of writing classes both in-seat and online, I've taught creative writing (fiction and non-fiction), academic, business, and technical writing. I've written how-to books for writers, a couple of life-coaching books, romance, historical fantasy, thrillers, and a cookbook. My scripts have included a family Christmas story, a coming-of-age comedy, a drama, and a suspense crime story.
The script I'm working on, which I'm considering writing as a book too, is based on a historical true event. I'm finishing a suspense novel that could easily become a series.
I'm retired and living the dream: writing full time, surrounded by books.
So many projects, so little time.
You can learn more about me by going to my website: sharpenedpencilsproductions.com
Hi Diana Stout I would love to hear about your publishing journey. I am about 45% done with a 5 ebook series and eager to learn from others.
1 person likes this
Hi Darrell. Congrats on your 5-ebook series. I'm curious: why just ebooks? My journey--I was traditionally published in the '90s with three romances. Lots of other bylines prior to that. Started screenwriting and getting noticed. Went back to school, where I was more published than many of my professors, had already been teaching writing classes online, and had won some awards. So during those 13 years, my only creative writing was mostly playwriting, where I began winning awards for my plays. Finally finished with school, I returned to creative writing. Upon retirement, I set up an LLC and became an indie publisher.
1 person likes this
It's good to hear!
1 person likes this
Welcome back! It’s inspiring to see someone return with such an incredible body of work behind them. Twenty-six books, multiple scripts, teaching experience, and helping other writers along the way is a remarkable journey. I especially like the idea of exploring stories across different formats — sometimes a concept that works as a screenplay can find a whole new life as a novel. Your historical true-event project sounds fascinating, and I’m looking forward to seeing where you take it. Wishing you continued success with all the projects you’re bringing to life!
1 person likes this
Welcome back, Diana! Congrats on publishing so many books! Twenty six is quite an accomplishment!
Welcome back and congratulations on all of your publishing success over the last 4 years! We're lucky to have you back in the fold. Are you turning to focus more on screenwriting now, or sill more in the novel space? Curious to hear about where you're excited to go next!
1 person likes this
Wow, 26 books is impressive! Welcome back, Diana. You’ve clearly been busy creating. I’m a singer-songwriter, so I always enjoy connecting with other creatives and hearing about what they’re working on. Wishing you lots of success with your new projects!
1 person likes this
Diana Stout welcome back to Stage 32!
My name is Ashley Smith, and I’m the Head of Community here at Stage 32. So glad you found your way back to us.
Twenty-six books, two anthologies, four scripts, and one of them optioned. That’s a genuinely remarkable body of work, and I love that you published the two scripts rather than letting them sit on a shelf. That’s a decision most writers never consider. Work that exists somewhere can find readers. Work in a drawer can’t.
A few things to help you make the most of your time back here:
Be active in the Screenwriting Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting) and the Authoring & Playwriting Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/playwriting), since you’re working across both. The Producing Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/producing) is worth your time too. Browse all of them here: https://www.stage32.com/lounge And with your teaching background, I suspect you’d have a lot to offer members earlier in their process. Those are some of the most valuable voices in our Lounges.
Jump into Week 2 of our Creative Army Drive. It’s a month-long member event, and this week’s mission is simple: personally invite two friends or collaborators to join Stage 32, then comment on the post telling us about who you brought in. Every member who completes it gets a FREE Stage 32 Pitch Session, which given the historical project you’re developing could be a genuinely useful way to test how it lands with a working executive. The code runs through January 1st, so there’s no rush to use it. Mission closes Sunday: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/producing/Why-Your-Creative-Community-Is-...
Register for our next FREE Community Open House on Wednesday, September 23rd at 12pm PT. It’s a live event I host quarterly walking through everything available here, and a lot has changed in four years. Registering gets you the recording even if you can’t attend live: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32s-september-2026-comm...
Welcome back, Diana! Rooting for you and all of those projects.
1 person likes this
Diana Stout thank you so much for that info, I really appreciate it. When you describe yourself as an indie publisher do you publish works other than your own or you set up a traditional publishing company just fpr your books only?
2 people like this
Darrell A. Pennington - I publish my own books, both print & ebooks.
Script Tora - would love to tell you about the inspired event, but I'm withholding information until I'm ready to publicize it.
1 person likes this
That is the route I want to go as well Diana Stout