Meet the Author: Stephen Lee Oliver Hosts Book Signing for ‘Lost and Forgotten’

Stephen Lee Oliver is bringing his debut novel, Lost and Forgotten, to Front Royal, and he’s got more than just a book to share. With a connection to the area—his parents honeymooned here in 1962—Oliver’s visit to the Royal Oak Bookshop on March 8 offers more than a signing; it’s a chance to reflect on memory, history, and the paths that shape us.

During a conversation in the Royal Examiner studio, Oliver explained that Lost and Forgotten is a story of escape, discovery, and personal transformation. It follows characters trying to break free from the bureaucratic grind of Washington, D.C., a theme Oliver himself knows well, having grown up in what he calls a “company town” where government work was the norm.

“The main character dreams of something bigger,” Oliver said. “He wants to get out, to break free from being just another cog in the machine. And then—he disappears.”

That disappearance is central to the novel, setting off a chain of events that forces a friend and colleague to uncover forgotten pieces of the past. Oliver compared it to Citizen Kane’s famous “Rosebud” device—each discovery reveals more layers of the story.

The book also features cameos from historical figures, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and even politicians like Jimmy Carter and Hubert Humphrey. “People remember Elvis, but what about Hubert Humphrey?” Oliver mused. “It’s a book about what we remember, what we forget, and what gets lost along the way.”

Oliver’s writing process for Lost and Forgotten spanned nearly two decades. Life, work, and everyday responsibilities often put the manuscript on hold, but he kept returning to it. As he looks ahead, his second book is already in progress.

“The first book opens the dam,” he said. “Now, I can really get to work.”

He hopes readers will take away a sense of reflection, perhaps even a bit of comfort. “We all have regrets, but they shape where we are now. And that’s not always a bad thing.”

Oliver’s book signing at Royal Oak Bookshop runs from 2 to 4 p.m. on March 8. Whether you’re a literature lover, a history buff, or just someone who enjoys a good story, it’s an opportunity to meet an author who believes in the power of memory, storytelling, and second chances.