Raw and erudite, Stephens's writing is philosophical lyricism with a sensual edge. In the tradition of Iceberg Slim, his work carries the immediacy of corner stoop storytelling but is that rare creation--African American oral tradition in a literary form. LISA RICHARDSON- LOS ANGELES TIMES Look out now! Raw, hard, unglamourized country grammer describes this perspective of the world emerging from this new author. DR. KIMBERLY ELLIS, DEPAUW UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH