Moving Pieces: People Connecting with the Story

My grandmother was the first person to purchase my book, but the first copy I ever signed was right here in Abilene, Texas, on March 2, 2010, just one day before my grandmother passed. As soon as I signed my first autograph, I immediately posted it on my page on Facebook. I didn't get a chance to tell her about it, but the feeling of autographing my work at the request of another was exhilarating, especially when the person is not a relative, friend, or general acquaintance.

I don't recall how it ever came up in conversation, but I ended up telling a lady at my children's daycare center that I was in the process of writing a book. Well, she made it her business to ask me every month about it's progress. When I told her it was in the publication process, she wanted to know as soon as it was available in print. Somedays I would act as if I was in a hurry or walk opposite of her direction just to avoid the conversation surrounding her anticipated question. I left town for about a month in December 2009 when I got word of my grandmother's declining health, and I withdrew my children from daycare during that time. When I returned after the new year, she asked me, "Is your book in stores yet?", and when I finally told her yes, she was thrilled. She was so excited that she couldn't wait to buy it in stores, I had to sell her one of my copies one morning when I dropped my children off to school.  When I returned later that afternoon to pick them up, she said she was already at chapter 10! I gave her my concerned mother look, but she ensured me that all of her reading was done during the children's nap time and proclaimed how wonderful my book was and how she was unable to put it down. The woman was talking as fast as Six Lanier on the 90s sitcom, Blossom. All of the praise, in despite of my gratefulness, made me highly uncomfortable. I was prepared to defend my words, not to receive esteem for them. News about my book began to spread like wildfire around the childcare. The following day a woman kept bowing to me as she talked about my incredible feat. Although bowing in her culture is a sign of respect, onlookers stared in confusion before she told them that I recently published. The next thing I knew checks and ink pens were coming out. People wanted their copies right on the spot. I left for a couple of weeks for my grandmother's funeral and when I returned a few people had finished it and were prepared to give me feedback; meanwhile, others were still ready to place their order.

Recently, I signed up to do my first book signing. It will be at Hastings, in Abilene, Texas, on Saturday, April 24, 2010, from 1-5pm. I am glad that I am moving soon because I am not one for all of the attention. I never wanted to get used to it which is one reason why I chose to publish using a pseudonym. I am prepared to share with you next week one of my frequently asked questions: why I choose to be known as Flora Season as opposed to my birth name. Although my work is a memoir, I do not want people to get as caught up in me as the author as much as I want them to get caught up in the message. I wrote from the perspective of only one child victim, but I represent many. Sadly enough, I am less than unique in that regard. Are some of the things I wrote about very personal and subject to public scrutiny? ABSOLUTELY. But, the transparency was necessary. People who live abusive lifestyles must see the fruit of their senseless actions--the children who live day-to-day with those brutal images engraved into their psyche.

To date, the most rewarding part of being an author of a work of this magnitude is meeting and talking with other child victims--women and men; African Americans, Hispanics, and Caucasians; people of varying socio-economic statuses who are my age and older. Despite their personal accomplishments, their pain is still fervent in their stories. I have been best-friends with one young lady for several years and the first time she ever spoke with me about feelings carried over from her childhood was after she read my book. In fact, she has given me one of the most candid, yet heart-warming critiques.

So, I want to urge anyone who is reading my posts to help me get the message out there. Please support Scattered Pieces by Flora Season and the message within. If it's not in your bookstores and libraries, request it. If you're in a book club, select it as your club's read for the month. I am presently working on non-profit projects that will generate from your support.