Uncorked: A Memoir of Letting Go and Starting Over

Getting sober is one thing, staying sober another…

With a glorious bang, alcohol freed Mary Stephens from her lonely, self-critical teenage shell and fueled Fun Mary. For three decades, booze had been her best friend, the reliable spark igniting good times and (she thought) good friendships. But Fun Mary had a dark side: debilitating hangovers, blackouts, and perilous behavior. Not even a three-story fall that left her in a body cast could stop her from drinking. But finally, after putting her young son in danger and her marriage in jeopardy, Fun Mary had to go.

Now sober at age 45, everything Mary once cherished becomes a trigger—date nights with her husband, friendships centered around wine, and a father who expresses his love through alcohol. This new Sober Mary is lonely and vulnerable—feelings she drank to escape. Now what?

Told with heart and humor, Uncorked: A Memoir of Letting Go and Starting Over is the inspiring and relatable story of a woman's pursuit of a better life through sobriety.

About the Author

Mary Alice Stephens is a creative nonfiction storyteller. As a television writer-producer for HGTV, Food Network, and other media outlets, she has shared others’ stories on everything from outdoor adventures to home improvement. In her debut book, Uncorked, Mary shares her own powerful story of alcoholism, recovery, and starting life anew at 45. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Dominican University of California and resides in Northern California.

Praise for Uncorked: A Memoir of Letting Go and Starting Over

“Don't be fooled into thinking this funny, open-hearted, soulful howl of a book is only for those on a sober journey—this is a universal grab-you-by-the-collar-and-hold-you-wide-eyed-close kind of memoir that can inspire all of us.” —Kim Culbertson, award-winning author of The Wonder of Us and Other People's Kids

“Her journey from the death of ‘Fun Mary’ to the birth of ‘Sober Mary’ is at turns deeply moving and amusing, and many readers will see themselves in her story. I was rooting for her the entire way.” —Kirsten Mickelwait, author of the novel, The Ashtrays Are Full and the Glasses Are Empty, and the memoir, The Ghost Marriage

“...a must-read for anyone who struggles with alcohol use or is close to someone who does. And, let's face it—that's all of us.” —Joanne Greene, author of By Accident: A Memoir of Letting Go

“...searingly honest and refreshingly unapologetic. Infused with humor, and without a hint of self-pity, Uncorked is immensely readable.” —Janis Cooke Newman, best-selling author of The Russian Word for Snow and A Master Plan for Rescue

“Beautifully rendered and bravely written...” —Suzy Vitello, author of Bitterroot and The Bequest

“Uncorked is a lively read, written by a consummate literary professional able to disguise her skill under an engaging veneer of vulnerability and rigorous honesty. Well done!” —BC Cowling, author of Leaving San Francisco