Hello subscribers! And hello to others who end up here. If you’ve noticed not many posts have come from me lately, today I’m here to share what’s been going on: I’ve been preparing, delivering, and decompressing from giving live presentations in the Orlando, Florida, area about my cult story. This has been a busy season for that.
Presentations – a surprise honor
This presentation stage of Undertow’s life has been a surprise. I’ve had many chances during the past eight (yes, 8) years to give people an in-person Cliff Notes version of my adventures and misadventures in The Way International, a high-control sect which I view as a cult. As most of you probably know, I gave The Way 17 years of my life.
As of today, I’ve given 24 presentations, including ones to college students and faculty, women’s groups, libraries, churches, and cultic studies conferences. Most were after Undertow was published. For a list, click here and scroll down the page.
Since I never give the same presentation twice—no two audiences are the same—I prepare customized talks and PowerPoints each time. Check out the photo gallery below.
How did presentations happen?
All the invitations for me to speak came from readers of Undertow or interested folks who heard about my story or heard me speak somewhere else. Readers are often members of a local organization, a church, a social club, or a reading group. Word-of-mouth, I’m convinced, is the best and most valuable way to reach readers.
Coming up – a unexpected celebration
I’ve been asked to speak at the Women’s Club of Winter Park, Florida, on November 14. Just so happens that November 10th is Undertow’s third birthday!
On November 10, 2016 my talented book designer, Duane Stapp, and I uploaded Undertow files to IngramSpark, the print-on-demand company that prints and distributes Undertow for retailers’ orders around the world, like Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Powell’s Books, Indie Bookstores, eBook vendors, and the United Kingdom’s Book Depository.
Perfect timing, Mom
When I finally decided to self-publish Undertow, I wanted to do it at a time to honor my mother, Anne Lamy. This book was possible because I felt compelled to write it, but also my mother’s passing away on the day before Thanksgiving in 1968 was, in large measure, what set off my Undertow journey.
This year, unknowingly, the kind women who invited me to speak on November 14th, my last talk of 2019, gave me a great gift–a meaningful time of remembrance and celebration.
Note for writers: Did you know that books published after September 31 in a given year use the following year as their publication date? Thus, Undertow was officially published in 2017.
Next phase
Due to the energy, time, and emotional turbulence involved with speaking at events, I plan to only give presentations to college students in my area after January 1, 2020. Of course, I’ve also learned to never say never, so …
Seriously, I’m winding down. In 2007, I retired from working as a writer in the software industry to write this book, and now I desire to hunker down to finish some fiction and essays I’ve been working on. I also contribute monthly to The Florida Writer Association blog. Check out those posts here.
Hope to see you here more often! Thanks for reading.
Your writer on the wing,
Charlene
Jodi
Hi girlie—Hope you and Hoyt are well! You continue to amaze and inspire me. What a life you lead. Hope to see you soon, possibly Spring Break. We are in Chicago currently checking out DePaul for the second time and Loyola. Can you believe my baby is graduating. She and Carter grown in the blink of an eye. Love to you. ???
Charlene L. Edge
Hi Jodi, thanks for checking in here. It’s an unusual journey with Undertow, one I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Love backatcha.