William Alfred Stephens Jr.

Ena-Alese
Oct 13
4 min read

Updated: Oct 13

Author Bio: William Alfred Stephens Jr., known as Stevo, is a retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class, honored through induction into the Order of Saint Barbara, the FORSCOM Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (1997), and recipient of the FORSCOM Major General Aubrey “Red” Newman Leadership Award (2006). A decorated leader turned veteran advocate for PTSD and mental health, Stevo is also an author advocate, helping new writers establish themselves and escape the traps of predatory “funnel” scams and fake marketing agencies.

Two of his works, The Mirror: Black Edition (2018, rebranded 2024) and The Broken Mirror: Voice of the Voiceless (2024), were so personal and in-depth that they required Pentagon approval prior to publication. Both earned critical acclaim, including the Therapeutic Poetry Award, two International Impact Book Awards, the Silver Literary Titan Award, and an Eric Hoffer Award nomination. His third and final memoir, No Filter: From Skateboard Kid to Entrepreneur (2025), received a Five-Star Readers’ Choice Award and the Gold Elite Literary Titan Award.

Now retired from writing, Stevo continues his mission through 1821 Productions – “Voice of the Voiceless™,” advocating for veterans, mental health awareness, and the homeless through storytelling and outreach. His message remains a beacon for those still fighting invisible battles.

Author Interview:

1. What inspires you most to write?

Life itself. The pain, the laughter, the trauma, the survival. Every word I put on paper comes from the reality of living with PTSD, being a father, a leader, and a survivor. Writing became my therapy — a way to give voice to the voiceless.

2. What is your favorite genre?

Memoir and therapeutic poetry. I don’t write to entertain — I write to heal. Every project under 1821 Productions reflects pieces of truth, growth, and raw human experience.

3. Who is one author you admire and why?

Maya Angelou. She spoke truth without apology. Her words didn’t just inspire; they challenged. That’s what I strive for — impact, not perfection.

4. How do you overcome blank writing spells?

By living life. When I can’t write, I reflect. I walk away, breathe, cook, or talk to my daughter. The words always come back when I’m honest enough to stop forcing them.

5. What legal publishing advice can you give?

Own your work. Copyright everything. Never pay scammers promising “marketing packages” or “Hollywood connections.” Educate yourself. Read your contracts. Self-publishing doesn’t mean self-sabotage — it means self-ownership.

6. How many books have you written, are any a bestseller yet?

Three main works so far:

The Mirror: Black Edition
The Broken Mirror: Voice of the Voiceless
No Filter: From Skateboard Kid to Entrepreneur (Releasing Halloween 2025)

They’ve earned multiple international awards — including the International Impact Book Award, Readers’ Favorite 5-Star, and Literary Titan Gold Elite. Bestseller or not, the mission is impact.

7. If you had the opportunity to rewrite one movie script which would it be, and why?

American Sniper. I’d focus less on glorifying the war and more on the emotional aftermath — the mental battles when the uniform comes off.

8. What are some difficulties you’ve experienced in your writing career; how do you handle criticism?

Dealing with publishing predators and fake “marketing” agencies was rough. I also face judgment for being too raw or unfiltered — but I welcome it. I don’t write to please everyone; I write to help someone.

9. What are your best experiences in your writing career?

Seeing a reader message me saying, “Your book saved my life.” Nothing beats that. Awards are nice — impact is better.

10. Do you prefer to write in silence or with sound?

Sound. Usually lo-fi beats, rain, or military cadence in the background. Silence feels too much like isolation — and I’ve lived that already.

11. What are some encouraging words you’d give to another author/writer?

Don’t chase perfection — chase purpose. Someone is waiting to hear your story exactly the way only you can tell it.

12. How did you decide the pricing and promotion of your material?

I treat my books like missions — with strategy. I researched Amazon KDP algorithms, used QR codes, pre-orders, and free-day launches. I priced based on accessibility, not greed. The goal is connection, not commission.

13. Why should anyone read your book?

Because it’s real. No Filter isn’t polished — it’s personal. It’s about surviving trauma, rebuilding faith, and finding your identity beyond the battlefield.

14. Did you have a book coach?

No. I learned the hard way. Every lesson cost time, money, and pride. Now I teach new authors those same lessons for free — to stop them from falling into the same traps.

15. What was your favorite subject in school?

English and History. I always loved storytelling — even before I realized that’s what I was doing.

16. Are you self-published or signed to a publisher?

I’m fully self-published through 1821 Productions LLC, distributed worldwide via Amazon KDP, Barnes & Noble, Books.by, Walmart, and Target. Independence gives me creative control — my story, my way.

Founder of 1821 Productions – Voice of the Voiceless

Five-Time Award-Winning Author | Retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class