I am so excited to share with you that my wife Laura Thoma, had her first play published earlier this month! That’s her holding the writer’s copies of Magpie that arrived prior to release day.

Magpie is the story about a young woman trying to become her own person against the powerful force of her mother and the absence of her father.

Here’s the blurb:

Magpie is a story of identity, transformation, and sacrifice. With the support of her therapist, Maggie is beginning to claim her own story. Risking her troubled relationship with her mother, she searches to learn more about the father she doesn’t know. But can she summon the strength to find the one thing she needs the most, herself?

If it sounds like a story you’re interested in, please purchase a copy if you can and help spread the word! I think it’s a compelling story with emotionally true characters.

Genesis & Evolution

It has been fascinating to watch Laura developed this story over the years. It started as a short story, transitioned to a stage piece Laura performed in Chicago’s Live Lit scene, then became a one-act play (it was a semi-finalist in Theatre Odyssey’s National First Annual One Act Play Festival), and in more recent years she’s expanded it into a full play.

Laura talks about the genesis and evolution of Magpie, and more, on Episode 127 of the Book Cougars Podcast. The interview starts at about 55:43 if you want to go straight to it.

If you do purchase and enjoy Magpie, I hope you’ll also consider writing a review on the publisher’s website. That can help bring the play to the attention of theaters looking for new plays to produce.

To learn more about Laura, visit her playwright website.

Magpie is available directly from Next Stage Press. Read a sample here and order a copy here (it’s only $9.95 + shipping).

Thank you for your support!