SEVENTY TWO AUTHORS SNAG THE FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS
January 2021 – Speak Up Talk Radio announced the winners of 2020’s fourth quarter FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS contest. Seventy-two winners were announced in 87 categories. One of the winning entries was from Dr. Jeannita Bussle whose book titled Sorrow to Shero: Pain, Power, and Peace won in the grief category. Authors and publishers from around the world submitted their work to the Firebird Book Awards. A panel of 12 judges within the writing and publishing space then read every book and independently scored each entry according to a set of standardized criteria that evaluates the quality of the writing as well as production aspects. Only entries with the highest of scores are awarded the coveted Firebird. Patricia J. Rullo, founder of the Firebird Book Awards, says, “The quality of the entries were stunning and speak to the talent out there that needs a marketing voice. At Speak Up Talk Radio, our mission is to offer radio interviews and podcasting services to help authors expand their reach. In addition to additional prizes, our winners have the opportunity to be interviewed and aired on radio stations, iHeart Radio, Pandora, as well as 50 additional online venues, giving them new ways to speak up and share their work.” Pat adds, “We’ve included a charitable component to our awards by making all entry fees tax-deductible to the author. In return, we personally make and send handmade fun and whimsical pillowcases to women and children in homeless shelters via Enchanted Makeovers, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All entry fees fund this project. In this way, authors can get notoriety for their work while doing good for others. It’s been such a rewarding venture for everyone.” The Firebird Book Awards run quarterly contests so authors can receive recognition on a timely basis. Authors from all genres, mainstream, independent, and self-published are welcome. Additional winning authors and titles as well as entry information is available at https://www.speakuptalkradio.com I have done a lot of living in 40 years. From marriage, motherhood, watching my father take his last breath, and widowhood. Earning 4 degrees. Writing 2 books. Heartbreak, depression, triumph, betrayal, abuse, love, and trauma. What I realize is God has kept me. HE is always here. HE never leaves. HE was with me all along. HE never changes. Make sure to keep HIM at the center of everything!
Love and light, Dr. J XOXOXO Nishani Grigsby, MA, LPC-S
817-343-2641 Shani.grigsby@yahoo.com Mrs. Keisha Carpenter-Ricks
www.rendonrealty.com www.nappybliss.com Ayanna McKinley
YouTube: cocolaceandgiggles IG: @cocolaceandgiggles Sorrow to Shero: Pain, Power, and Peaceby Literary Titan
Sorrow to Shero: Pain, Power, and Peace takes its title from Dr. Jeannita Bussle’s unofficial moniker for her struggles and eventual recovery from her former husband’s undiagnosed mental illness and his subsequently abusive nature. Despite the normalcy of the opening of the book, the backdrop of Bussle’s childhood and her adolescent experiences in Detroit, it's clear that she’s struggled with exceptional challenges, and lives with the effects of their underlying trauma. The pain in Bussle’s story never tips over into despair or hopelessness, and Sorrow to Shero is a tale that treats serious mental illness and episodes of domestic abuse with vulnerability and honesty. It’s an assured debut, and a memoir that already means a great deal to many people. Bussle demonstrates real skill in bringing to life her world for the reader; vibrant in details, with her past and present delicately balanced against the backdrop of her faith and love for her children. Survivors of trauma and those that struggle with mental illness will find comfort in Bussle’s words, and how she’s been able to anchor the worst moments and events of her life firmly in her past. Bussle remains firmly in control of the narration of the events of the book - so complete, and so flawless in her perspective of the past, that it’s clear that her story is meant to be one of empowerment for other women who may find themselves in a similar situation. This is Bussle’s true achievement - a book about abuse and recovery, that captures the experience of it, with remarkable nuance and candor, without skipping over the ambiguities and the hardship. At the same time, Sorrow to Shero: Pain, Power, and Peace is also about motherhood and the deep bond between a mother and her children. Bussle describes herself, more than anything else as a proud mother, and this is instrumental in her ability to better her life for both herself and her children. The role of motherhood and the value of close family relationships is movingly explored throughout the book, there’s no doubting the integrity of her experience as a parent. Despite Bussle’s credentials, it should be made clear that her book is not the equivalent of a university professor addressing a packed lecture hall. This makes it both effortlessly readable, and highly personal. It’s a book that abuse survivors are likely to find in some senses recognisable, whereas the casual reader may find themselves mentally filing away ideas and terminology to dig into further at a later point for a greater level of understanding. Sorrow to Shero is a captivating and emotional memoir that explores some the things that break us and make us as people. Pages: 133 | ASIN: B08CRY2FD4 #protectblackwomen This trending hashtag has dominated our social media timelines in recent months. As the late Malcom X once stated "The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the black woman." I agree with brother Malcolm. Protect black women sounds good coming from civil rights leaders and it also makes for a great t-shirt, but I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the internal damage that we as black women cause one another. Are we truly our sister's keeper? While we oftentimes cannot control how others treat us, we must take full responsibility for how we treat each other.
As I reflect on the success of my memoir; Sorrow to Shero: Pain, Power, and Peace, I am reminded of the village of women in my life. My friendships with these women have played an integral part in my healing process. They never questioned the validity of my story when I described the abuse I endured by my late husband. In sharp contrast, when I read about claims of abuse by black women at the hands of black men it is oftentimes other black women that attempt to discredit the victim. Two high profile examples include Jennifer Williams of Basketball Wives and rapper Meg Thee Stallion. I have personally witnessed black women create friendships solely because they shared a common enemy. I have also seen black women dragged and ostracized in the workplace for no legitimate reason by (you guessed it) other black women. What is most disheartening is when these bullies are asked why they have such disdain for the victim their go to line is almost always "She thinks she is all that" or "Something in my spirit......." These sorts of responses are intellectually lazy at best. They require no original thought. In fact, they are a scapegoat from admitting a deeper issue. Why is it that some of us have a crab in a barrel mentality? Why is it that we don't mind others doing well as long as they do not surpass us in social or economic status? Why is it that we secretly compete with even our closest friends? Why is it that we will size another woman up and down upon meeting her as if she is auditioning to be in our friend circles? Why is it that we throw subliminal shade on social media? Why is it that we make a point to publicly proclaim that we don't "do" her? Why do we betray the women we refer to as "sis?" Why do we talk behind each others backs and effortlessly share each others secrets? Why is it that when we engage in these behaviors and the targeted woman cuts us off, we pretend to be victims? I have so many questions! In Sorrow to Shero I openly admit my past struggles with low self-esteem. As a result, I have been guilty of some of the behaviors mentioned above. At times I have felt envious of another woman and wondered "why her and not me?" BUT I am able to admit my errors. I had to be willing to acknowledge that I had a problem. More importantly, as a woman approaching 40 years old I have proudly changed these behaviors. Emotions are normal. Feelings are normal. They are a natural part of being human. What becomes problematic is when our internal struggles negatively impact the emotional state of someone else. Our insecurities are not an excuse for us as black women to treat each other the way we do. The emotional wounds that some of us have inflicted on each other is inexcusable. If black women are ever going to be "protected" we must start with protecting one another. We cannot expect others to do for us what we are unwilling to do for ourselves. Angela Guthrie
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