It is my pleasure to share a guest post by author Eddie K. Wright, who answers my question...
ELF: What was the most difficult thing to overcome on your path to becoming a published author and how did you conquer it?
EKW: I've been incarcerated in a
maximum federal penitentiary for over a decade.
USP Canaan is one of the most violent prisons in America. Finding the time to write isn't a problem,
with the constant lock downs for weeks or even months at a time. I'm trapped in a 6 by 10 dungeon with a cellmate
for 24 hours, only to be let out for a shower once every three days, so there's
plenty of time to write.
I'm faced with implements
that others aspiring authors don't have with getting published. Typing alone on the federal bureau of prisons
computers cost me five cents a minute.
Yes, learning how to type fast was mandatory. But oh.... What publishing company wants to
sign an author that can't go on book tours, and must limit phone interviews to
15 minutes, interrupted by two separate recordings reminding the listener that
I'm in a federal prison? What about
missing deadlines because I'm unable to even get to the computer or phone since
one convict stabbed another over changing the channel during "Keeping up
with the Kardashians."
I stayed positive and
optimistic pursuing my dream of being published, knowing that everything God
does is for the best. I choose the
self-publishing route and my sister took the lead turning our obstacles into
opportunities. There are still strenuous
challenges, but we worked through them to get the job done.
I write with the spiritual
content, expressing the power of positive thinking. I've found peace and comfort in my
relationship with God, sharing my understanding with others through my
writing. I like to post content that
inspires my readers to have an attitude of gratitude since there is so much to
be grateful for.
After I get my two hour
morning workout in, wash up and get ready for my 2nd cup of coffee, I pull my
chair in front of my bottom bunk that I use for as my desk, place my wireless
notebook and blue Bic pen on the light tan cotton blanket that's covered with
ink marks from the day before and enter a magical zone where I'm free.
My creative juices flow with
every sip of black coffee as I experience the joy and happiness writing brings.
I'm transformed into the world of my mind, shutting out the concrete walls,
chain linked fences and guards standing on watch towers holding AR-15's. Writing has been my key to freedom.
I published Voice for the Silent Fathers and made history by being the first proud father to
ever write about having a homosexual son.
In this day and age, the topic is still taboo, especially among
men. I had a macho gangster mindset that
had a difficult time accepting my sons 'alternative way of life'. I knew he was gay as a kid, with his favorite
color pink, painting his nails red and talking like a girl. But those were also obstacles that I had to
overcome and learn to accept to appreciate the real meaning of unconditional
love.
Oh, that acceptance didn't
happen overnight. That would have led to
a short book. Voice for the Silent Fathers reveals the full
detailed journey, pushing all your emotional buttons, as any a great story
should.
To aspiring writers or those
interested in the path to publishing, trust and believe that If the Gangster
Turned Guru can figure out a way to get published, then there is no way that
you can't!!
***************************
by Eddie K. Wright
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Memoir
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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?”…
BUY LINKS:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
Subscribe to my blog
Friend me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Follow my Amazon authorpage
Follow my GoodReads authorpage
Favorite my Smashwordsauthor page
Follow my Google+ profile
Subscribe to my YouTubeChannel
Visit my Gangster TurnedGuru Series website
Visit my Publisher'swebsite
*****************************
GIVEAWAY
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The tour dates can be found here
,
has been made into a movie, directed by actress Regina King and produced by
Queen Latifah's Flavor Unit Productions. 
has been optioned by BET, 
