Steve Wells

Alumni Author Spotlight

After Steven Wells retired from Microsoft in 1997, he began a new journey as a storyteller.

Steve spent nearly a decade with the company where, among his duties there, he worked in OS/2 development and served as director of international operations of the Asia Pacific region.

Now, in addition to his philanthropic endeavors and his work as a board trustee for the Microsoft Alumni Network, he is pursuing his passion for writing. The Medina resident received his certification in non-fiction writing from the University of Washington and has published three books. 

His first book originated from his desire to write a personal letter to his daughter for her eighteenth birthday. Through that process, the 50-page “Ginger’s Story” was born. Since then his other books focus on social issues fiction. His latest book, “Yes Means Yes,” is now available and tackles difficult subjects. Steve sat down to talk with us about the book and his journey as a self-publishing author.

What’s “Yes Means Yes” about? New grad student Katie Russell hears sounds of a violent struggle from a student’s apartment above her own. Upstairs, she finds Ava on top of her bed, naked and unconscious. After a young man threatens Katie and runs away, Katie takes Ava to the hospital for an invasive sexual assault exam. Ava’s inexplicable refusal to file a criminal complaint forces Katie to testify in a university hearing, one that results in meaningless sanctions. Outraged, Katie teams with a stalwart retired police detective in a perilous attempt to seek justice and takes a clandestine job within the police department. As she searches for another victim, one willing to testify in court, she confronts issues of Title IX, rape culture, criminal law, and a university administration that prefers student sexual assaults remain secret. In the book’s urgent climax, Katie is drawn into the case on a personal level, with more than justice on the line.

Who should read it, and why would they love it? When I wrote “Yes Means Yes: A Novel,” I had two objectives in mind — to explore the complex and emotional issue of sexual assault on college campuses, and to craft a compelling legal thriller that keeps the pages turning. By presenting a foundation of research based on current law and realistic case descriptions, and by interviewing sex-crime prosecutors and recent college graduates, the facts are authentic and the narrative based on experience.

But beyond the issue of sexual assault, the story of Katie, the book’s protagonist, is one of inspiration. At the beginning of the story, weeks before she is to graduate from college, Katie’s life is unexpectedly turned upside down when her boyfriend takes a job in another state. Worried about student loans and now living on her own, her earlier decision to attend graduate school suddenly seems folly. Undaunted, she strikes out on her own for Boulder, Colorado and begins a year that will forever transform her. When Katie meets someone and falls in love, disaster predictably arrives, like rain from darkening clouds, and forces her to first understand her values, then learn to live by them.

“Yes Means Yes” has some heavy topics, what inspired you to write this book? About three years ago, I read of an alleged sexual assault between an assistant professor and a graduate student at the University of Colorado, where I studied as an undergraduate and chose as the location for my book. This was around the same time as the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, chaired by Joe Biden, and the law passed in California that stipulates an informed consent standard on California college campuses, known as Yes Means Yes. At the time, my daughter and several of her friends were just graduating from college. It struck me as an important topic, and one that was emotional, evolving, and potentially interesting to a large audience. Seemed like the perfect topic for a legal thriller.

Where can fellow alumni hear you do readings from the book? I’m working with Laurie (Raisys) at Island Books, who you profiled recently, to do a book launch event there. 

You are a Microsoft Alumni Network Board Trustee. Why is that an important role for you? 
I’ve been associated with the Alumni Network for seven years and have worked closely on our philanthropic programs. It’s personally and professionally inspiring to invest in our fantastic alumni who are improving lives around the world.
 
What’s the single most important thing people should know about you? I’ve always approached life through goal setting. Setbacks always occur, but progress is a linked series of intentional, and sometimes unintentional, journeys.

What technology do you use when you’re writing? A five-year-old Windows 10 desktop with a high-resolution 4K display, Office 365, and OneDrive.

Do you prefer to read a physical book, or an eBook? I’m old fashioned. I like a physical book. If I see it sitting on my nightstand, I’m more likely to pick it back up and continue reading.

Do you have a soundtrack when you write (and what’s on it)? “Blue Guitar,” Cowboy Junkies; “Wicked Game,” Chris Isaak; “Old Man,” Neil Young; “Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise,” Avett Brothers; “Hey, Hey What Can I Do,” Led Zeppelin.

Must have snack/drink/when writing? Coffee in the morning. Beer in the afternoon.

Did you get an advance on your first book and what did you do with it? I got some advice! But no advance. 

Roadblock you hit when first trying to get published and how you overcame it? Rejection letters. Since writing was a second act in my career, I started my own imprint and self-publish my books. Traditional publishing, especially for fiction, is a tough nut to crack. I like the immediacy and control self-publishing provides. If an author is willing to invest in research, and professional editing and marketing services, there’s no reason they can’t duplicate the quality of traditional publishing.

Did you like to read as a child? Absolutely.

What was your favorite childhood book? Anything in the Hardy Boys series.

Was there any book that made you want to be a writer? Can I give you two? “The Pillars of Hercules,” by Paul Theroux, and “The Testament,” by John Grisham. One combines eye-popping travel writing in a wonderful style, and the other a gripping world of exotic location, redemption, and love.

If you could invite three other authors over for a dinner party, who would they be and why? I’d pick the two above and Garth Stein, author of “Art of Racing in the Rain.”

Favorite literary hero/villain? Hero is Mitch Rapp. Villain is Snidely Whiplash.

First thing you ever got published? Humorous OpEd in the Seattle PI about taking yoga classes as a way to meet women! Very funny, very true. 

How did you choose the genre you wanted to write in? I like social issue fiction because it allows me to research new topics, and I like the intellectual challenge of crafting a fictional story that is factually based. Fiction is hard, and a bit like programming. Characters are variables and action is the logic. Everything must tie together or the story will crash and burn.

When did you start writing your first book and when did you finish your first book? Before her eighteenth birthday, I decided to write a story about my daughter. It was short, about fifty pages, and took around five months. It’s my favorite and was written seven years ago.

When did you know you wanted to write a book? What fueled that desire? The book I mentioned above is titled “Ginger’s Story.” It started out as a personal letter to my daughter for her eighteenth birthday. She was about to leave for college, and I wanted to capture our time together. I had been a single dad since she was six. As the letter progressed, at some point I realized that I enjoyed combining my memories with some fictional license. Ginger was our Golden Retriever, and she narrates the story. That book has touched a lot of hearts.

One thing you hate about the writing and publishing process? That’s easy — bad reviews. It’s part of the process and they may sting, but they propel me forward and make me better.

Do you read your book reviews? And do the ones that contain critical advice help you to change the next book? Anyone can write a review on Amazon, and I consider them carefully. Professional reviews are mostly thoughtful and useful. As an editor once told me, if one reader has an issue with your book, it can simply be attributed to the perspective of the reviewer. But if multiple readers have the same issue, then you have a problem.

What is one thing people don't know about your writing genre that they need to know? I spend an inordinate amount of time on research so that the narrative, while fiction, is based on realism.

What is one question you have always wanted to be asked in an interview? The question is, “Do you worry that female readers of ‘Yes Means Yes’ will question your credibility as an author, since you are writing as a man about a topic that is so intimately personal for women?” This was something I kept in perspective from the very beginning. Based on careful research, first person interviews, and feedback from multiple test readers, I feel the book is honest. In the beginning of the project, I hired a young woman who had just graduated from the University of Washington Dan Evan’s school to act as a consultant. Interesting fact, she worked for one of our Integral Fellows, Cliff Schmidt, at the time, and now works for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. We met often, she read early drafts, and coached me on the experiences and expectations of female students about dating, sex, and careers. During the middle of the project, eight female test readers, aged eighteen to seventy, read the manuscript and provided feedback that shaped the final manuscript. During out discussions, I intentionally asked them if it bothered them the book was written by a man. Without exception, they said, “No.” So, I’m confident the book’s point of view faithfully represents women.

What's next for you? Other than marketing “Yes Means Yes,” I’m working on a sequel. I like my character Katie so much she deserves another story.

Finally, do you have a piece of advice for alumni aspiring to write and publish a book? Read, learn, write. Then repeat. Read authors you like. Take classes. The University of Washington, where I received a certificate in non-fiction writing, has some great programs. And write every day. Even for a few minutes. 

Learn more about Steve and his books here.