What weaves the fourteen stories together in Stepping Up, are characters who on the brink of change must choose between fear or transformation. Whether it’s because of sexism, racism, or homophobia, the stories lay bear the valor of the human spirit. Diamondopolous brings humor and hope to her award-winning stories. This incandescent collection of stories by writer DC Diamondopolous knocked me to the ground. Heartbreaking, revealing, numbing, and provocative, each page touched me, not lightly, but with a fist of shards. - Sharon Lovejoy, author of Running Out of NightThis collection is a vigorous examination of American culture—a gutsy probe into social divide, including fractious family dynamics. Diamondopolous writes with exuberance and emotional understanding. It’s the human element that reaches out and pulls us in. - Sherry Shahan, PURPLE DAZE: A Far Out Trip, 1965Each story in this collection is a passport to places where characters are challenged to be their true selves, no matter the risk. Every protagonist compels the reader to revisit them. Their diverse stories span eras and genres, yet always target the heart. DC Diamondopolous creates worlds with striking images and surprising twists that resonate long after the last line. Stepping Up is an astonishing tour de force. - Cindy Rankin, author of Under the Ashes