THE STUTTERING STOIC: How an Ancient Philosophy Helped Me Find My Voice
a new novel by Vince Vawter
Vince Vawter, renowned for his Newbery Honor-winning work, has captured the essence of personal struggle and philosophical exploration in his latest book, "The Stuttering Stoic: How an Ancient Philosophy Helped Me Find My Voice."
This new release invites readers on a journey that intertwines the timeless teachings of Stoicism with the realities of stuttering.
peace with them. As a newspaper editor and publisher, words were his livelihood. As a person
who stutters, they were also his greatest challenge. Te Stuttering Stoic is his hon- est, deeply human reflection on that paradox.
Vawter's literary contributions, including his autobiographical trilogy—"Paperboy," "Copyboy," and "Manboy"—delve deep into themes of identity, acceptance, and resilience, anchored in his lifetime of experiences in the newspaper industry and beyond.
For speech-language pathologists, counselors, educators, and anyone who
works with people who stutter, this book offers rare insight into the lived experi- ence behind the data. For those who stutter, it offers understanding and hope. For the practicing Stoic, it offers “proof of purchase.”
A TRILOGY ROOTED IN REALITY:
Vawter’s message is simple but profound: the fluency society demands is op- tional; dignity and peace are not.
UNDERSTANDING STUTTERING THROUGH FICTION Those who follow the Stuttering Foundation’s social channels and magazine are no stranger to the literary works of Vince Vawter—we’ve written about his achievements many times.
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Vince Vawter is the author of Paperboy, a 2014 Newbery Honor book that has been published in more than 20 languages. His second novel, Copy- boy, was published in 2018 and is a Junior Library Guild selection. Man- boy, independently published in 2024 by the Woodlot Press, completes the popular Paperboy Trilogy. Vawter is a retired newspaper editor and lives with his wife of 53 years in Louisville, Tennessee. His website is vincevaw-
ter.com.
Vawter’s trilogy offered an insightful narrative arc that mirrors his own life. "Paperboy" introduces Victor Vollmer, an 11-year-old navigating the mysteries of stuttering. Vawter vividly recounts his own childhood experiences, like the time he passed out while trying to say his name or the thumbtack he pressed into his palm to counteract his stutter during public speaking. These anecdotes highlight the authenticity that permeates his storytelling.
In "Copyboy," Victor is 17, stepping toward independence as his stutter recedes slightly.
By the time readers reach "Manboy," Victor is 21, grappling with acceptance and identity. Set against the historical backdrop of April 1968, "Manboy" reflects the tumult of its era, paralleling Victor's internal struggles with external chaos. Through Victor, Vawter paints a portrait of growth, illustrating that finding one's voice is an ongoing journey, not a destination.
Drawing on forty years in journalism and a lifetime of lived experience, Vaw-
ter explores how ancient Stoic principles—acceptance, courage, and inner calm— can transform the way we think about speech and identity. His stories move from newsroom deadlines to speech therapy sessions, from childhood frustration to the quiet freedom of self-acceptance.
A Life with Words, Spoken and Unspoken Vince Vawter has spent a lifetime wrestling with words and learning to make
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