Voice for the Silent Fathers
by Eddie K. Wright
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GENRE: Memoir
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BLURB:
In his memoir, Eddie shares his story of becoming a father at 18 years old who realized his son was showing ‘stereotypical’ signs of being gay while still in diapers. Spending most of his adult life engulfed in the street gangster/hip-hop culture where this subject was not only hushed but deeply frowned upon, he gives us the voice for what’s been kept silent for far too long, confronting almost every aspect of this taboo topic. It took years for him to silently accept his son’s homosexuality himself, regardless of all the signs. When his son was five years old, his favorite color was pink and there was nothing Dad could do about it. By the age of fourteen; he was an internet sensation, dancing on YouTube building his fan base to guarantee his success when performing as a drag queen a few years later. Eddie addresses the questions most are scared to ask; Was there anything I could do to stop my son’s homosexuality? When did I know my son was gay? What made him that way? Parents will find comfort in reading that Eddie admits that his son’s feminine behaviors embarrassed him and he seriously contemplated abandonment, a choice that too many fathers feel they have to choose.
He shares witnessing the desperation in the eyes of fathers, from all walks of life, who have pulled him aside, away from listening ears wanting to know the answers to these frequently asked questions, agonizing the possibilities that their son might be gay.
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EXCERPT
Intro Excerpt:
“Was there anything I could do to stop my son’s homosexuality? When did I know my son was gay? What made him that way? I've witnessed the desperation in the eyes of fathers, from all walks of life, who have pulled me aside, away from listening ears, wanting to know the answers to their questions, analyzing the possibilities of why their son might be gay, some weren’t even sure that their sons were gay.
Mothers seem to be more liberal about their son’s decisions to choose what makes them happy in life, and most importantly, "who" they share their lives with. However, for fathers, nine times out of ten, the topic is taboo. Especially the fathers who I've met in Federal prison or on the opposite end of the spectrum working with celebrities in the entertainment business.
I can tell you this though, I never thought I would write a book and never a book on a topic like this, but life is funny that way. I found myself raising a son at 18 years old; I was still a kid myself, with a baby boy headed down that taboo highway. I was confused, frustrated, and angry at the world. "Why me?" I often thought in those early days... “Why has life thrown me this crazy curve ball?”…
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I asked Eddie where he went for inspiration and here is his answer:
For over a decade, I've lived behind the walls of a maximum federal penitentiary, so the places to go for inspiration are somewhat limited. But on the positive side, prison can be viewed as the ultimate writer’s retreat. I'm housed as USP Canaan in building E-2. My cell #118 is considered a sanctuary. Inspiration comes knocking at my door asking for advice from the Gangster Turned Guru.
Most of the convicts have more than 20 years or multiple life sentences, so it's safe to say that there are some deep inner issues that need to be addressed. I'm told heart-rending tails of abuse and neglect that resulted in devastating destructive choices. If I wrote crime novels or murder mysteries, there's no better place for an author to be.
But I write spiritual self-help books in an environment where it's needed the most. I find inspiration in the darken souls with the hope of helping to reveal their inner light. I know it sounds cliché, but life inspires me, even when it's a life lived behind the penitentiary walls.
Recreation yard #2 has a black asphalttrack that I run for an hour every day. Ideas are sparked while thinking of what I plan to express during my next writing session. The fresh mountain air stimulates my imagination, but it's often interrupted by a shot gun blast and demands to lie face down on the ground, due to a rift being settled with a stabbing on the yard.
If he doesn't get killed, then we'll only be locked down for a few days and hopefully I won't miss our time at the chapel, my other designated space of inspiration. I'm the main speaker of our spiritual group that started out with three in attendance but has grown to as many as 30 individuals of all types that come to hear me speak about the Universal laws of attraction and the power that we have in the creation of our everyday experiences.
I teach about faith, belief and trust of a God called love to those whose main problem is learning to love themselves.
When the service comes to an end, the positive vibe shared with hugs is more fuel for my writing inspiration.
At moments when I needed inspiration while writing "Voice for the Silent Fathers," detailing the strenuous relationship I had with accepting my son's homosexuality, I'd walk out on the unit, pick up the phone and call him. By the time the 15 minutes are up, I'd race back to my cell, grab my notebook and pen to write a few chapters, all inspired from my son's conversation. He promised a series of books for me to write, but "Voice for the Silent Fathers" was more than enough.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
First time author Eddie K. Wright is a fitness trainer, Yoga instructor, spiritual motivational speaker and an inmate at a federal prison. His personal transformation upon realizing the Universal laws and love of life, supports his conviction in his "Gangster to Guru" book series. The premier release "VOICE FOR THE SILENT FATHERS" details the struggle and inner conflict with being the parent of a homosexual child in the day, and a known connected gangster at night. Overcoming his "No son of mine" mentality, by realizing the true meaning of unconditional love wasn't easy, but his deep insight, heartfelt honesty, and 'laugh to keep from crying' attitude, makes for a humorous read for anyone touched by this issue which means it's for everyone!
Visit my Voice for the Silent Fathers website: http://voiceforthesilentfathers.com
Subscribe to my blog: http://eddiekwright.com
Friend me on Facebook: http://facebook.com/eddiekwright
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/eddiekwright
Follow me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/eddiekwrightauthor
Follow my Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Eddie-K.-Wright/e/B01F4CM97A
Follow my GoodReads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/EddieKWright
Favorite my Smashwords author page: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/eddiekwright
Follow my Google+ profile: https://plus.google.com/u/0/108458666961975685042
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMPvPZ_UeY9yUkNsFZrPUuQ
Visit my Gangster Turned Guru Series website: http://gangstertoguru.com
Visit my Publishers website: http://mwrightgroup.com
BUY LINK: The book is free during the tour but only at Smashwords. Here is the link: https://www.smashwords.com/
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Eddie will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Be sure to visit the other blogs on the tour:
April 23: Rogues Angels
April 24: Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
April 25: Wake Up Your Wild Side
April 26: BooksChatter
April 27: The Avid Reader
May 1: The Reading Addict
May 2: Mixed Book Bag
May 3: Writing Through Life
May 7: This and That Book Blog
May 8: Fabulous and Brunette
May 9: B-Gina Review
May 10: T's Stuff
May 11: Reviews by Crystal
May 14: Readeropolis
May 15: Deal Sharing Aunt –
May 16: Author C.A.Milson
May 17: It's Raining Books
May 18: Straight From the Library
Thank you. I look forward to hearing what you readers think.
ReplyDeleteGreat post - I'll definitely be checking this one out!
ReplyDeleteI liked how you found inspiration where your are. Good to have you here today.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. It's good to have peace of mind, especially in here. I do try to share this with others, especially the younger generation, but with the older also because you'd be surprised at how many times I have to say "Your supposed to be telling me this!" Yet, everyone has their journey. I hope you enjoyed "Voice For The Silent Fathers" and I want to thank you for the support.
DeleteThis sounds like a book I'd really enjoy reading, thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete