Stephanie Saunders, a Batesville author and educator, will discuss her debut novel, *Covered Buttons*, at the Donald W. Reynolds Library Serving Baxter County on Tuesday at 2 p.m. The event is part of the library’s Read-Write-Ignite Literary Series and is open to the public with no registration required.
*Covered Buttons* is set in the foothills of the Ozarks in 1939. The novel tells the story of Thea, a 17-year-old who balances a life filled with books and embroidery against the undercurrents of change in her small Arkansas town. The narrative explores the grassroots birth control movement in the state, highlighting themes of friendship, resistance, and the quiet revolution of women imagining lives beyond what was expected of them at the time.
Saunders was inspired by the real history of Arkansas as she crafted her story. In recognition of her work, she was chosen by the Arkansas State Library to receive the 2026 Arkansas Gem award, which celebrates books that are both by Arkansas authors and reflect Arkansas life.
As a first-generation college graduate, Saunders earned her undergraduate degree from Lyon College before pursuing an MA and Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies at the University of Kentucky. She has also served as a Researcher in Residency at the Pontificia Universidad Católica in Chile and has contributed academic articles, book chapters, and translations in four languages across five countries.
The Tuesday afternoon event offers an opportunity to hear Saunders speak about her writing process, inspirations, and the novel’s themes. For additional details about the event or other programs at the library, visit the Baxter County Library’s website at baxlib.org.