Dawn of Hope's author Peter Prichard was kind enough to not only send us a copy of his debut novel to review (which will be coming soon!), but also to allow us to post an interview about the inner workings behind his book and just what makes this novel different from all of the others!
Title: Dawn of Hope
Author: Peter Prichard
Paperback, 203 Pages
Published 2015
Summary: Dawn Mortenson moved to Fair Shore, Connecticut and within 24 hours of her arrival at Fair Shore High realized that the town condoned the sexual assault of young girls. She alienated most of the population of the town after her confrontation with the All-American football hero found him in the hospital. The ensuing battle landed many friends and foes in jail, the hospital or an early grave. Dawn uses music, the media, a team of young and old allies and a combination of personal courage and mental toughness to change the town's attitude toward the sexual abuse of young people forever, although at a huge personal cost.
Without further ado, Peter's interview!
What is the title of your book?
Dawn of Hope.
What is your book about?
Dawn Mortenson is a 17 year old high school senior who moves to a new town and on her first day of class realizes that girls are sexually abused and bullied with impunity. She decides to fight back, puts an All-American football hero in the hospital, and ends up receiving death threats - which require the hiring of a security service to protect her. During this fight a number of people land in jail or, like her, in the hospital. She leaves the hospital after 14 months a national hero. The rest of the book describes her fight against sexual abuse and the attempt by tobacco companies to get young people to start smoking, fights that get the FBI involved due to the accelerated threats on her life.
Why did you decide to write it?
I have been lucky to have worked with hundreds of young people in my home town, where I won a Youth Advocate award, and around the country. While getting to know these amazing young people I also heard their stories of bullying and sexual abuse. I decided to write a story about a strong, resilient female teenager who is a composite of a lot of the young people I met in order to shine a light on the types of life changing sexual abuse that happens to young people on a regular basis.
How did you get your book published?
I got published by Outskirts Press after talking with a dozen authors who had been published in the past through the normal agent dominated publishing process and who now fully support the control that on demand publishers provide to authors.
What types of readers will be interested in your book?
Women of any age; young adult guys with an open mind; and adults in general who have a world view that includes the fact that everybody should be treated with respect.
What is special about your book?
What differentiates it from other books in the same category? I am an experienced career counselor and leadership development consultant who has written many articles and book chapters and done hundreds of presentations on how people can reach their goals. That perspective combined with my extensive experience working with young people and adults who are fighting to make our world a better place combines maturity of perspective and experience with an understanding of young people and how they think and act. In addition I have a passionate desire to lessen the sexual abuse of young people and the effectiveness of the relentless push by tobacco companies to get young people addicted to tobacco products that will kill them.
In addition, at the end of this work of fiction there are dozens of resources that are listed for individuals who are motivated to find out more about sexual assault and the amoral tobacco industry. This is very personal for me since I know a lot of amazing young people who have been sexually assaulted while my parents both died from smoking cigarettes and the tobacco companies are now targeting my grandsons which makes me crazy.
Have you published any other books? Do you plan to publish more?
I have completed a follow-up to Dawn of Hope titled Dawn of the Tobacco Wars, which will be published by Outskirts Press in 2015. Both books will be supported by a website I have created called Work for the Common Good.
Special thanks to author Peter Prichard and Outskirts Press for the use of this interview!
About the Author
Peter Prichard has spent the last thirty-eight years helping thousands of individuals, from high school students to adults of all ages, reach their goals. He has written dozens of articles and several book chapters on how to do that. He began his career by providing career guidance to college students, and he has been particularly interested in assisting young adults and those who want to drive positive change in their particular organizations, their community, and the world. As an acknowledgment of those efforts, he received the Youth Advocate Award from the town in New Jersey in which he lives. The teenage female heroine of this book is a composite of the hundreds of energetic and courageous young people, social activists and teachers he has met over the years.
Check back soon for our review of Peter's new book, Dawn of Hope!
Hmm this book sounds interesting. I'll have to give it a try! Nice interview :)
ReplyDeleteRachel @ A Perfection Called Books
Thanks!
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