The 2026 Page Awards
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HOW TO SURVIVE A NARCISSIST

While dealing with the aftermath of a vindictive breakup, a tenacious woman provides the audience an instructional guide to narcissists in order to make sense of exactly what happened to keep her bonded to one for seven years.

Stephanie Lewis has spent seven years, three months and one very long day in a relationship with a narcissist, marked by lovebombing, gaslighting, and hoovering, finally culminating in her arrest when she calls the police for help after an assault from her abuser. Knowing she must finally break free at any cost to protect herself and her autistic son, Stephanie refuses to return home as her abuser demands and embarks on the fight of her life to prove her innocence and reclaim herself and her sanity.

Realizing her toxic pattern in partners is, in large part, a result of the difficult relationship she had growing up as a caregiver to her bipolar mother, Stephanie examines the childhood experiences that led to trauma bonding with the narcissist, who came from his own devastating upbringing to continue the generational cycle of abuse. Breaking the fourth wall, Stephanie details the characteristics of someone with narcissistic personality disorder, as seen through snapshots of their relationship, and points out the red flags to be aware of, to inform through entertainment.

On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. The series is based on the author’s own life, with the message of breaking through the shame and silence that allows domestic violence to continue. This story attempts to answer the hardest question – why? – with the humanity and hope, along with a touch of humor, that self-realization often provides.

Written by:
Format:
TV Pilot
Genres:
Budget:
Low
Posted:
03/23/2026
Updated:
03/23/2026
Author Bio:
Steffany Sommers is a So Cal native with a diverse personal history - autism mom, social worker, actor, domestic abuse survivor - that has shaped her brand as a writer. Steffany likes to write genre films with humanity and humor that examine themes of family and connection. She is devoted to creating choice roles for women, particularly those 40+, and spotlighting characters with physical and mental health challenges.

Steffany has studied her craft with Tab Murphy, Stowe Story Lab, and the Jacob Krueger Studio, placing in screenwriting competitions, such as the Austin Film Festival and PAGE International, and currently has two features in option.

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Contest Results:
Stowe Narrative Labs (Finalist) [2025]
ScreenCraft TV Pilot (Semifinalist, ScreenCraft Virtual Pitch) [2023]
Austin Fest Film (Quarterfinalist, Second Rounder) [2023]
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