GREATER SPRINGFIELD  – Although they might be a vanishing breed on daytime television, soap operas have entertained millions of Americans over several generations and local author Suzanne Strempek Shea examines the phenomena in her new book, “Soap Opera Confidential.”

The subtitle reveals the love and attention Strempek Shea and her collaborator Elizabeth Searle paid their subject: “Writers and soap insiders on why we tune in tomorrow as the world turns restlessly by the guiding light of our lives.”

Strempek Shea explained to Reminder Publications the book includes essays she and Searle collected from a variety of writers that covers the soap experiences from a fan point of view to those who worked on the daytime dramas. Strempek Shea also contributed an essay to the volume.

This is Strempek Shea’s 12th book. A former newspaper reporter, she gained national popularity through a series of both fiction and non-fiction projects.

Shea and Searle will be reading from the book, along with contributors Tommy Shea and Leslea Newman, on June 7 at 7 p.m. at Broadside Bookshop, 247 Main St. in Northampton.

An essay by Rita Ciresi detailed a clandestine relationship between her as a child and “Dark Shadows.” Another piece, by Leigh Montville, described how watching a soap opera as a latchkey kid provided her with a view into adulthood her peers did not have. Erin Roberts recalled her time as an intern on “The Guiding Light.”

Strempek Shea said that she and Searle assembled the contributors over a seven-year period. If they met a fellow writer who was into soaps they would ask if he or she was interested, in writing a piece.

This is her first book as an editor and she enjoyed her experiences  “behind the scenes.” She added with this project she had to “pay heed to page count and word count” unlike writing a novel on her own.

Strempek Shea said the appeal of the soaps came from the “daily visits from people whom you’d like to know.” She readily admitted that despite the “campy and extreme” story elements that soaps have used, the basis of the stories are universal themes in drama: romance, deceit and friendship, among them.

The book came about through her and Searle’s love of the medium. Both writers have been teaching at the Stonecast creative writing program in Maine for years and Strempek Shea explained that during breaks, the conversation would often turn to what was happening on their favorite programs.

A mutual interest in the same soap opera led to an easy conversation among people who didn’t know each other, she explained.

"It’s like talking about relatives you didn’t know you had,” she said.

One of the strengths of soap opera  is “with any good story will have people reflecting on their own lives,” she said.

The appearance of a soap opera and its characters every workday provided a certain stability to a person’s life.

“You come home from work and your family and soaps are there,” she said.

Many of the actors appear on soaps for years, providing continuity, but also creating a relationship with viewers.

“I’m fascinated by that,” she said.

Strempek Shea added the soaps have been a stepping stone for some actors – she noted Kevin Bacon as an example – who received their start on a daytime drama before going on to movies.

Soaps used to dominate the afternoon broadcast schedules of the three major commercial networks for decades, and Strempek Shea said the beginning of the end came from writers’ strikes, which interrupted the flow of original scripts.

What has happened is the story elements of the daytime soaps has been transferred to evening primetime shows. She cited “Twin Peaks,” which is making a return, as having “a soap within a soap.” The acclaimed drama “Breaking Bad” puts “a character into a terrible situation – he starts with good intentions and goes awry” – a tried and true storyline for soaps, she noted.

Strempek Shea added a nighttime show such as the 1980s hit “Beverly Hills 90210” was a soap opera.

She is still a loyal soap opera fan and follows “The Bold and Beautiful.” Even if daytime soaps are on the decline, one aspect of today’s technology makes it easier for her to enjoy her shows: on-demand service from cable companies.

For more about “Soap Opera Confidential” and readings associated with it, go to https://suzannestrempekshea.com.