The Survivors Speak

We are finally, thanks to the media, being forced to pay attention to the allegations of survivors of the sexual abuse that is rampant in our culture. It is being exposed in places we haven't wanted to admit it exists: the sports programs at Penn State and Syracuse for starters. No doubt it's happening in other similar institutions but just hasn't been exposed yet. Survivors are gaining courage to speak out which is helping us to have a long-overdue conversation as a nation. We must wake up to the fact that our children are being sexually abused by people we all believe we can trust (this includes scout leaders, high school coaches, ministers, teachers, bosses...) and it's being covered up and allowed to continue. This is a systemic form of abuse where power, fame and making a profit take precedence over the safety and healthy development of our children, our future leaders. This only perpetuates the aberrant behavior in our society that breeds not only further abuse but the inability to do what's right in many areas of our human scene. We need leaders who are healthy, moral, strong, secure and personally content people who can lead us in a time of great global, human need. We must stop letting our children be abused, used and neglected! If ever it "took a village", now is the time when we must all recognize our responsibility to participate in the healthy rearing of our children. So, let's keep the conversation going and turn our thoughts and energy toward ways to prevent this kind of abuse, to expose it when it happens, to heal from it and to hold accountable those who perpetrate these atrocities. The bottom line is: sexual abuse is not acceptable behavior and it must stop!

Predators in the news

Again, we hear in the news about predators who prey on the vulnerable and then deny it and blame others. This is an unfortunate and very common reality in our culture. We must educate ourselves about the profile of a predator and the ways in which people become vulnerable to such abusers. We must work to prevent predation, sexual and otherwise, and then we must offer treatment that includes a willingness to face reality and talk about this problem. I have written a book, Lillie's Redemption, that addresses this issue with regard to ministers who prey on members of their congregations. I offer tools for healing to victims and I show in compelling terms, with great characters and a page-turner plot, the profile of a predator in order to teach what to look for and how to understand such people in our midst. My book is very timely. I encourage you to buy Lillie's Redemption and join the conversation.

Craft Shows and Silent Auctions

At the advice of a friend I am renting tables at Craft Fairs, during this Christmas season, and donating my book to local silent auction fundraisers. The Chamber of Commerce has a listing of local churches and businesses that do fundraisers and craft shows. Calling around to ferret out these events bears fruit. I will gift wrap one of my books to demonstrate the idea that it would make a good Christmas gift and then offer gift wrapping as an option. So, get yourself out there! Any other ideas we authors could use for marketing our books? Let me know.