Being a film nerd since high school, I used to get caught up in the glimmer and magic of Hollywood’s biggest night! I’d host special parties to watch.
Now, not so much. Between #oscarssowhite and the state of this country, I could care less. Working in TV/Film over the last decade hasn’t helped my disposition. I shrug shoulders at the glimmer. I see celebrities often and left feeling unimpressed or worst disappointed.
But AUTHOR celebrities, those are folks that literally make me turn to a red, stammering, pile of mush. (Remember when I met R.L Stein a few months back. Still gives me goosebumps. Ok, bad pun. )
There are so many authors I would love to see read my book and give their blessing, but if I had to pick one, it would Sapphire, author of PUSH.
PUSH really resonated with me as a teen. At the time, I was attending a predominately white high school, where it was never mentioned by teachers or librarians. I discovered it one day, seeing a woman reading it on the train and sought it out myself. It was poetic, gritty, disturbing, and triumphant at the same time. Felt like I had found a hidden treasure. I read it twice and later on as an adult. It still hit the same nerves.
When I finally sat down to write, PUSH was heavy on my mind. It inspired me to keep the story raw, unnerving and from a child’s point of view. It took over two years to find someone who was willing to represent it. No one wanted such a touchy subject matter, of kids in juvenile prisons and group homes. But I kept pushing, and when it was finally picked up, it was compared to PUSH and I was overwhelmed, hoping I had done Sapphire proud. Of course, I could never duplicate her genius, I only hope to stand in her shadow.
