Selling my book in craft shows

I have been selling my book at Arts & Craft Shows in the region, in Michigan. I am able to sell up to 15 books a day at these shows and I have numerous conversations with folks that are fruitful toward further book selling events and in terms of connecting the themes of my book to their lives.

How the conversation leads to healing

As I sell my book, Lillie's Redemption, and follow-up with readers, I am finding that many people know of Clergy Sexual Abuse (CSA) in their own church or town and my book allows them to begin to see it more clearly for what it is. They become ready to talk about what they know and the need to process their feelings and thoughts, the damage they have experienced, heightens.

When one person is willing to take the step to speak the truth and ask the hard questions about CSA, then others become willing to do the same. Once a group forms around speaking the truth and sharing what we know, people begin the process of feeling better, figuring out what to do about the abuse that has occurred and problem-solving toward prevention of further abuse.

Anyone involved in a church where CSA has occurred, whether or not they were directly involved as a victim, or a church leader, or whether it happened recently or 40 plus years ago, has experienced emotional, psychological and spiritual damage. They carry this damage around inside, where it becomes toxic over time, until they can begin to get it out. When they start getting it out, by talking about it or writing about it, even creating art about it, they feel a sense of relief from the inner pressure and blockage. Once the flow has started then a person can begin the process of healing which leads to well being.

If a person so damaged by CSA does not work to get it out, then the damage takes on new forms such as depression or illness, even cancer. This is a toxic brew that eats a person up on the inside. We all need to get it out and to talk about it in order to heal. The conversation, honest and brave, is one important therapeutic tool we must employ, together. Join me in the conversation about Clergy Sexual Abuse!

Support Among Victims

The 50-some victims, that have come forward to press charges of sexual abuse against ex-Penn State football coach Sandusky, met one another as they attended the preliminary hearing today. Although Sandusky waived his right to a preliminary hearing, essentially halting the proceedings in their tracks, and this means the victims' testimonies against him will wait until trial, they are realizing they are not alone. Victims are strengthened and emboldened by the knowledge of and introduction to other victims, especially of the same perpetrator. When victims gain the strength and courage to speak out and actually testify in court against their perpetrators, then there is a chance that justice will be done.

Predators Are Big on Denial.

Both Herman Cain, ex-presidential candidate, and Sandusky, ex-coach from Penn State, have denied all allegations of sexual abuse that have been made against them. Cain even boasted of never having done anything inappropriate, a ludicrous statement as no one is perfect in this regard. These blanket denials are typical of predators. They simply cannot admit to any wrong-doing or their whole system of manipulation, satisfaction for their addiction and cover-up will crumble beneath them. Now we see that Sandusky has made a legal choice, at the advice of his lawyer, to waive his right to a preliminary hearing which would allow his accusers to be heard and the media to have access to their allegations. This too looks to me like a man who wants to deny the truth of the 50-some allegations that have been made against him. So, predators first deny they have done anything wrong and act as though everything is normal and okay, and, when pressed, they act as though they have something to hide. This lack of consistence and evidence of mixed messages is also typical of predators. They will do and say anything to keep themselves out of trouble, looking respectable and free of constraints in satisfying their thirst.

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.