New Releases – R. A. Stephens Author

June 30, 2026

Different Endings …

I am a huge fan of story. Books, movies, games. Anything with story. I have a lot of favourite movies, but one of my favourite movies is Clue, the 1985 film based on the board game of the same name. (Note depending on if you are in the US or AU or UK you might call this same game Cluedo). The game came first (I did fact check!) but this movie is hilarious. Not only is Tim Curry extremely funny he runs around like completely hyperactively and talks super-fast – which I also do when explaining anything. It’s an amusing crime story and I guess was one of the first crime introductions for me as a kid (as I loved playing the game too!)

But my absolute favourite thing about the movie was that there are three different endings. When they first released the movie there were three different end reels and they were sent to different cinemas – my understanding is many people didn’t know about all three endings. I remember telling people about this movie and them saying they didn’t like the ending … to which I asked, did you watch all of them? (By the way I was too young to watch it when it came out, but there was still confusion around it well after the VHS and TV options!)

Now let me take this minute to say I am a children’s and young adult writer. I also do some educational and adult writing and please know when you get one of my books it might be hopeful exciting or encouraging, but I do write for these different age groups. My new reluctant reader, Six Take One, is a novella for teens and contains murder and teens at a party.

Funnily enough when I do events for Riz Chester the kids have often told me to have a murder in my next story, but I really am not such a fan of murder in 10 year old books, so I saved this for my teen novel. So Six Take One, like the movie Clue, is recommended for mature audiences (M) so please be aware this is not a movie for kids.

Back to my point … the three endings in this movie are hilarious and I think are an interesting discussion point. In stories (both books and movies) how many times have we wanted to rewrite an ending. Or extend a story. People are constantly rewriting and adapting books, plus fan fiction is a big thing, because we all want to see our favourite characters have happier endings or different ones, or know what happens next.

One of my friends told me she hated my ending. You know this doesn’t bother me. In fact, I love the feedback.

Firstly, she was invested enough to get to the end. Always a win!

And she was interested enough in my story to form an opinion – you can argue it at book club! I can always learn from criticism as well.

And then it is a huge fun point to then rewrite stories! In fact, in my teacher notes for, Six Take One, I even have a suggestion to “rewrite the ending”. (Teachers click here if you are interested!)

So, if you read my story and would prefer a different ending, you know what … that’s okay. I am open to alternate endings. Maybe one day I will write a book and provide multiple different endings. Then you won’t know which book you are reading …)

April 1, 2026June 22, 2026

Connected Is Available Now

I love mixing maths into stories and have done this now with two picture books. I am super excited about Connected.

The illustrator and myself were interviewed here.

R.A.S: I’d love it if both kids and adults looking at the book could see the world a bit differently. Each person is important and can be a node connecting others to each other. Have you ever introduced someone to another person? You made a new connection.

I think it is cool that the concept can be explained using maths, and this is just like a computer network. But with people it is a huge reminder we are not alone. There are connections between people everywhere. And who you meet might lead to meeting someone else – and maybe even someone who will become a new best friend.

What do you feel are the benefits of ‘connecting’ literature and maths?

R.A.S: Stories with maths? I mean, why not? I think there has long been a consideration that English and Maths are two separate and never ‘connected’ areas of learning. But we often need numbers in literacy, and we also need words to explain some maths. They are already integrated. Why not integrate maths into bigger concepts? For me, it comes naturally because I just love how maths (and science as well) describes the world.

June 22, 2025June 22, 2026

My first Rhiza Shorts: No Dress, No Idea

In my publishing house I planned for years to start reluctant reader style stories. This year we have started releasing the “Rhiza Shorts” which are 15-20 thousand word novellas for teens. Designed for busy or reluctant readers – or anyone like me who is just reading in between all our other jobs – these stories aim to be useful, fun, engaging and relevant to teens.

My first short novella is “No Dress, No Idea” inspired by the many teenagers I taught who were more interested in discussion formal dresses than their future career paths.

Find out more here

And find out about the Rhiza Shorts

May 27, 2023June 22, 2026

Releasing an original junior fiction series: Riz Chester

I have been a publisher for 12 years and before that I desperately wanted to write my own stories. It was a passion, but I got caught up in the business of publishing – which if I am honest I was better at!!!

After spending some time really understanding the industry and learning the craft I finally was ready to write again. I came up with Riz Chester as a character more then four years ago, but except for the knowledge that the story would involve forensics, friendships, mystery and an uncanny observation skill I didn’t really have a plan.

Taking the leap to finish writing Riz’s first book and then finding the most perfect illustrator for Riz I was finally ready to get Riz to print!

So if you want to read something for a bit of fun, with your 8-10 year older reader (or a bit older/younger depending on who you are!) please check it out and I would love your feedback!!!!

Out May 2023! Available from your favourite bookstore or as an ebook if you prefer!