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Never thought I'd be blogging, but here goes. Jesus Land came out on Oct. 1 and has gotten great reviews, which I'm happy about - everything from Essence to GQ to Entertainment Weekly.
Last Thursday I had my first reading at a Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books in San Francisco. I was extremely nervous and rehearsed for my hubbie several times before the event. It was easier than I expected. A big group of friends from the San Francisco Writer's Grotto showed up and provided encouragement, as did a glass of California chardonnay. In the end, it felt more like a celebration than a test. All I had to do was to remember my brother, and what I was feeling during the scene I was reading, and these measures translated into a powerful rendering of the events, two decades later.
Last Thursday I had my first reading at a Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books in San Francisco. I was extremely nervous and rehearsed for my hubbie several times before the event. It was easier than I expected. A big group of friends from the San Francisco Writer's Grotto showed up and provided encouragement, as did a glass of California chardonnay. In the end, it felt more like a celebration than a test. All I had to do was to remember my brother, and what I was feeling during the scene I was reading, and these measures translated into a powerful rendering of the events, two decades later.
7 Comments:
I am from Lafayette. My wife and I are hear while she gets her PhD. Your book sounds fascinating and I am going to order a copy through Buzzflash. Will tell everyone I think would be interested. We go to Turkey Run quite a bit. Can't wait to read your story. Thank you.
We live on Seventh Street. If you don't mind. What was your address here?
Hi Atom - Wow, we used to live on 7th street when we were very small - I don't remember the exact address. I could ask my sister. Then we moved to 180 Sumac in West Lafayette, and finally to 6510 Indian Meadow Lane out in the boondocks
Thanks for writing!
Julia
Just ordered your book. Can't wait. We live right near the downtown on Seventh and Brown. Right by the great big Baptist church. Thank you for your response.
Thanks for the read. So many people refuse to read a book like yours because they do not want to acknowledge a fact of our society; that The Brady Bunch did more harm than good. Congratulations on your success and thank you for letting us know your David.
Gives us all hope and camaraderie with those who had childhoods where we felt trapped (be it physical, mental or just very difficult existence) and had nowhere to go. We hold on to that one dream that keeps us going until we are on our own to fly, your Florida.
Julia,
Thank you so much for this book. I happened upon it by accident and devoured it in 2 days. I'm passing it along so others will know about you and David.
What a rollercoaster of emotions-my heart goes out to you. Can you tell me what happened to Jerome-are you in contact with him? Also, what is your relationship with your parents like these days?
Thank you for letting us into your lives--please keep writing!
Hi Julia, What a wonderful book. I have many friends from Lafayette and one of them experienced the unspeakable pain similar to your's and David's. Her experience has transformed my life into my own personal mission to do all I can for children who suffer this oppression. Your matter-of-fact narrative, as I have learned, is the only way to aatck the evil thrust upon these children. Thank you so much for writing this book. I will distributing copies to all of the people who share my same mission. "Jesus Land's" story and message will be proliferated in the child welfare circles of Nashville, Tennessee and beyond. (Are there any plans for a book tour?)
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