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SUMMER OF ’71 - Signed Author Direct Edition
SUMMER OF ’71
An Origin Works Author-Direct Edition
Order a signed, numbered Author-Direct Edition of Summer of ’71 directly from author Steven B. Newman.
Each Author-Direct Edition is personally signed and individually numbered by the author, authenticated with the embossed Origin Works seal, and shipped directly from Origin Works.
Paperback — $14.99 + Shipping
Hardcover — $19.99 | + Shipping
Every Author-Direct Edition includes:
Personally signed copy
Individually numbered edition
Origin Works embossed authentication
Certificate of Authenticity
Exclusive Origin Works bookmark
AUTHOR-DIRECT EDITION
Signed • Numbered • Authenticated
Buy Direct from Origin Works
STANDARD RETAIL EDITION
Paperback • Hardcover • Kindle
Buy on Amazon
The Story
One summer. Two brothers. One fight for freedom. A lifetime of memories.
When their family moves from California to rural Oklahoma in the summer of 1971, brothers Rick and Steve find themselves in the care of their babysitter, Marlene, and her formidable mother, Mamaw.
Determined to make men out of the boys, Mamaw introduces them to hard work, strict discipline, and a healthy dose of hellfire-and-brimstone religion.
But the brothers have other plans.
Armed with little more than their imaginations, an appetite for adventure, and a stubborn refusal to surrender their freedom, Rick and Steve set out to make the Oklahoma prairie their own.
Along the way, they discover a secret hideout, befriend a loyal farm dog, encounter small-town bullies, survive dangerous storms, and find themselves in more trouble than two barefoot boys ought to be able to manage.
As the summer unfolds, the brothers discover that freedom comes with consequences, courage takes many forms, and growing up doesn't always happen the way adults intend.
From Award-Winning Screenplay to Novel
Summer of ’71 began as an award-winning screenplay inspired by Steven B. Newman's childhood experiences in Oklahoma.
Winner — Best Screenplay, Based on a True Story Cowpokes International Film Festival, 2026
Selected — ToP 25 at the 2026 Save the Cat Screenplay Challenge.
The novel brings Rick and Steve's adventures to the page, preserving the humor, hardship, and extraordinary freedom of one unforgettable Oklahoma summer.
About the Book
Summer of ’71 is a nostalgic coming-of-age novel inspired by true events.
Set against the sprawling Oklahoma prairie in the summer of 1971, the story follows two California brothers whose adventures lead them through a world of hard work, mischief, friendship, danger, and discovery.
At its heart, Summer of ’71 is a story about brotherhood and a nearly vanished way of life—when children wandered beyond the reach of their parents, boredom sparked imagination, risk demanded judgment, and every summer day held the promise of something extraordinary.
It is also a personal tribute to the author's brother Rick and to the childhood memories that endure long after the summer itself has passed.
Each Author-Direct Edition is prepared, authenticated, and personally signed in small batches by Origin Works.
Author: Steven B. Newman
Published by: Origin Works
Available Formats
Paperback – Author-Direct softcover edition, personally signed and numbered. An ideal choice for readers who enjoy nostalgic Americana, coming-of-age fiction, and stories inspired by true events.
Hardcover – Author-Direct premium casebound edition, personally signed and numbered. A lasting presentation edition for collectors, family libraries, and readers who appreciate a beautifully bound book.
Kindle – Standard digital edition available through Amazon.
About the Author
Steven B. Newman is an award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker, retired U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, and founder of Origin Works.
Drawing upon his own childhood, military service, and lifelong passion for storytelling, he creates stories exploring family, courage, freedom, and the extraordinary moments hidden within ordinary lives.
Summer of ’71 is a tribute to his brother Rick and to a time when two boys could disappear into the Oklahoma prairie and discover a world of their own.
Other Origin Works Originals
Discover more stories and insights from the Origin Works collection:
The Shaman and The Curse of The Last Berserker – A mythic supernatural thriller exploring Cherokee tradition, Norse legend, and the struggle to break an ancient curse.
On Creation – A philosophical exploration of creativity, authorship, and artificial intelligence.
On Screenwriting – A practical guide to cinematic storytelling and the architecture of emotional narrative.
The Night Eagles Soared – The first novel in The Night Eagles Saga, inspired by the experiences of a Green Beret and the bonds forged through service.
Burnt Yellow and Red – The powerful continuation of The Night Eagles Saga, exploring resilience, healing, and the courage to move forward.
Category: Coming-of-Age Fiction • Historical Fiction • Nostalgic Americana
SUMMER OF ’71
An Origin Works Author-Direct Edition
Order a signed, numbered Author-Direct Edition of Summer of ’71 directly from author Steven B. Newman.
Each Author-Direct Edition is personally signed and individually numbered by the author, authenticated with the embossed Origin Works seal, and shipped directly from Origin Works.
Paperback — $14.99 + Shipping
Hardcover — $19.99 | + Shipping
Every Author-Direct Edition includes:
Personally signed copy
Individually numbered edition
Origin Works embossed authentication
Certificate of Authenticity
Exclusive Origin Works bookmark
AUTHOR-DIRECT EDITION
Signed • Numbered • Authenticated
Buy Direct from Origin Works
STANDARD RETAIL EDITION
Paperback • Hardcover • Kindle
Buy on Amazon
The Story
One summer. Two brothers. One fight for freedom. A lifetime of memories.
When their family moves from California to rural Oklahoma in the summer of 1971, brothers Rick and Steve find themselves in the care of their babysitter, Marlene, and her formidable mother, Mamaw.
Determined to make men out of the boys, Mamaw introduces them to hard work, strict discipline, and a healthy dose of hellfire-and-brimstone religion.
But the brothers have other plans.
Armed with little more than their imaginations, an appetite for adventure, and a stubborn refusal to surrender their freedom, Rick and Steve set out to make the Oklahoma prairie their own.
Along the way, they discover a secret hideout, befriend a loyal farm dog, encounter small-town bullies, survive dangerous storms, and find themselves in more trouble than two barefoot boys ought to be able to manage.
As the summer unfolds, the brothers discover that freedom comes with consequences, courage takes many forms, and growing up doesn't always happen the way adults intend.
From Award-Winning Screenplay to Novel
Summer of ’71 began as an award-winning screenplay inspired by Steven B. Newman's childhood experiences in Oklahoma.
Winner — Best Screenplay, Based on a True Story Cowpokes International Film Festival, 2026
Selected — ToP 25 at the 2026 Save the Cat Screenplay Challenge.
The novel brings Rick and Steve's adventures to the page, preserving the humor, hardship, and extraordinary freedom of one unforgettable Oklahoma summer.
About the Book
Summer of ’71 is a nostalgic coming-of-age novel inspired by true events.
Set against the sprawling Oklahoma prairie in the summer of 1971, the story follows two California brothers whose adventures lead them through a world of hard work, mischief, friendship, danger, and discovery.
At its heart, Summer of ’71 is a story about brotherhood and a nearly vanished way of life—when children wandered beyond the reach of their parents, boredom sparked imagination, risk demanded judgment, and every summer day held the promise of something extraordinary.
It is also a personal tribute to the author's brother Rick and to the childhood memories that endure long after the summer itself has passed.
Each Author-Direct Edition is prepared, authenticated, and personally signed in small batches by Origin Works.
Author: Steven B. Newman
Published by: Origin Works
Available Formats
Paperback – Author-Direct softcover edition, personally signed and numbered. An ideal choice for readers who enjoy nostalgic Americana, coming-of-age fiction, and stories inspired by true events.
Hardcover – Author-Direct premium casebound edition, personally signed and numbered. A lasting presentation edition for collectors, family libraries, and readers who appreciate a beautifully bound book.
Kindle – Standard digital edition available through Amazon.
About the Author
Steven B. Newman is an award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker, retired U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, and founder of Origin Works.
Drawing upon his own childhood, military service, and lifelong passion for storytelling, he creates stories exploring family, courage, freedom, and the extraordinary moments hidden within ordinary lives.
Summer of ’71 is a tribute to his brother Rick and to a time when two boys could disappear into the Oklahoma prairie and discover a world of their own.
Other Origin Works Originals
Discover more stories and insights from the Origin Works collection:
The Shaman and The Curse of The Last Berserker – A mythic supernatural thriller exploring Cherokee tradition, Norse legend, and the struggle to break an ancient curse.
On Creation – A philosophical exploration of creativity, authorship, and artificial intelligence.
On Screenwriting – A practical guide to cinematic storytelling and the architecture of emotional narrative.
The Night Eagles Soared – The first novel in The Night Eagles Saga, inspired by the experiences of a Green Beret and the bonds forged through service.
Burnt Yellow and Red – The powerful continuation of The Night Eagles Saga, exploring resilience, healing, and the courage to move forward.
Category: Coming-of-Age Fiction • Historical Fiction • Nostalgic Americana