-- Author and IT management consultant Rich Schiesser marks the 10th anniversary of his debut novel, Shattered Hearts, in 2026, renewing attention to the challenges families face when teenagers experience emotional distress and to the lessons he hopes other parents can learn from the tragic loss of his younger son, Ben, at age 18.
Published by Koehler Books on June 15, 2016, Shattered Hearts follows three Atlanta families whose lives become intertwined through unexpected events, family conflict, and the dangers confronting young people. A decade after its publication, Schiesser is bringing renewed attention to the issues surrounding adolescent well-being through his writing and his efforts to share lessons drawn from personal experience.
The novel follows a middle-class family raising two teenage sons who differ considerably in age, temperament, and needs, alongside a law enforcement family and a group involved in an illegal business targeting teenagers. Through these intersecting stories, Schiesser examines the pressures that can affect family relationships and the consequences of choices made by young people and adults.
For Schiesser, the subject of teenage vulnerability extends beyond fiction. A father of two sons who were seven years apart, he experienced the devastating loss of Ben, whose death was officially ruled a suicide. Schiesser says he and others close to the family believe the death may have been an unintended accident. He has since sought to share what he learned in the hope that other families might recognize warning signs and find opportunities to intervene before a crisis becomes irreversible.
“My hope is that sharing what I have learned will help parents and teenagers recognize the signs of emotional distress and understand the importance of taking them seriously,” Schiesser says. “No family should have to experience a tragedy before realizing how important it is to listen, ask questions, and seek help when something seems wrong.”
His latest book, 92 Hours: A Teenager’s Journey, Triumphs, Tragedy, Tranquility, takes a more personal approach to these concerns. Published in March 2026, the memoir recounts Ben’s experiences and the circumstances surrounding his difficult journey as a teenager. The account addresses the changes that affected his life, including struggles with mental health, academic difficulties, and behavioral challenges.
Schiesser hopes the memoir will encourage parents, educators, and other adults who work with teenagers to pay closer attention to changes in behavior, mood, and social circumstances. His message centers on recognizing potential warning signs, creating opportunities for honest conversations, and seeking appropriate professional support when concerns arise. Although no single approach can prevent every tragedy, he believes that greater awareness can help families respond more thoughtfully when a young person is struggling.
The response to his outreach has extended beyond readers. Schiesser reports conducting three local television interviews and appearing on three podcasts to discuss Ben’s story and the lessons presented in the memoir. He also says school districts, social workers, and first responders from police and fire departments have expressed interest in hearing more about his experiences and insights.
That interest reflects the different settings in which adults may encounter teenagers experiencing emotional difficulties. Parents often observe changes at home, while teachers and school personnel may notice shifts in academic performance or social engagement. Social workers and first responders can encounter young people during periods of acute distress. Schiesser hopes that sharing his family’s experience can contribute to conversations among these groups about recognizing concerns and responding appropriately.
“Losing Ben changed the way I look at the challenges teenagers can face and the questions adults need to ask,” Schiesser says. “I cannot change what happened to our family, but I can share our experience in the hope that another parent, educator, or young person finds something that helps them make a different choice.”
Schiesser brings a professional background in IT management to this work. As founder of RWS Associates, Inc., he has built a career in IT service management and business continuity consulting, alongside his writing and speaking activities. His publications span technical management books, columns, and fiction, with Shattered Hearts marking his transition into contemporary family drama.
The 10-year milestone offers an opportunity to revisit the novel’s themes while considering how Schiesser’s personal experiences have shaped his subsequent writing. Through 92 Hours and his ongoing conversations with community groups, he hopes to encourage more informed discussions about teenage mental health, the difficulties families may struggle to recognize, and the importance of seeking help when warning signs emerge.
Contact Info:
Name: Rich Schiesser
Email: Send Email
Organization: Rich Schiesser
Website: https://www.rwsai.com/
Release ID: 89206878
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