{"product_id":"navigating-her-next-chapter-a-retro-novel-9781627206273","title":"Navigating Her Next Chapter: A Retro Novel","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn 1981, Margie Stevens, a 26-year-old aspiring writer, moves from Maryland's Eastern Shore to New York City.\u003c\/strong\u003e Initially overwhelmed by the contrasts between small town life and NYC, Margie takes a job at Radio City Music Hall to pay the bills while she slowly learns how to navigate city life with help from a menagerie of friends-a punk waitress from the neighborhood diner; a gay couple from her apartment building; a dreamy Hispanic man from her writing group; and her fashion-crazed roommate. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs the harsher aspects of living in the Big Apple-the cocaine crisis and a mysterious nameless disease-affect people she knows, and a huge anti-nuclear demonstration for world peace shakes her world view, Margie's writing pivots in a surprising new direction. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHowever, pressure from her father, with whom she has a troubled relationship, begins to wear on her, particularly when tragedy strikes within her \"New York family.\" Despite a budding romance with a fellow writer, Margie has to decide whether to stay on her New York career course or retreat home to Maryland and her Eastern Shore roots. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBurgess, Jean:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Jean Burgess is a writer, editor, playwright, and workshop presenter. As a former professional stage actor and director, many of her written works relate to the performing arts, including her debut novel, That Summer She Found Her Voice: A Retro Novel. Her nonfiction, Collaborative Stage Directing, was published by Routledge in 2019. Before diving into a writing career, Jean taught theater and speech communications on both the secondary and college levels for twenty-three years. She holds an M.A. in Theater from Northwestern University and a Ph.D. in Educational Theater from New York University.","brand":"Apprentice House","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52196536680722,"sku":"9781627206273","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_3850e4bc-5e01-45d0-83b8-090b87a62798.jpg?v=1776152825","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/navigating-her-next-chapter-a-retro-novel-9781627206273","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}