What every parent – no matter what race – should read to their own kids…
By Eric L. Heard
Title: REFLECTIONS OF
AN AFRICAN AMERICAN DAD
Author: Eric L. Heard
Publisher: IUniverse
Pages: 93
Genre: Memoir
BOOK BLURB:
The purpose of this book is an awkward discussion of Eric Heard’s life to his son. He talks about his life in a candid way that tries to explain his anxiety as an African American dad. It is an open and honest account of his life through the life of a child that has been through a lot in his life. It is a reflection on his life that has been shaped by his childhood experiences.
PRAISE
“The book shines in its portrayal of systemic issues through the eyes of a child caught up in centuries of racism while living in an era of unprecedented change. It shows how, for instance, marginalized people don’t suddenly stand as equals to the rest of society after changes in legislation. Segregation was still the norm in the community Heard grew up in and many doors remained closed to African Americans” – Tomah, OnlineBookClub.org
“Eric L. Heard’s REFLECTIONS OF AN ANXIOUS AFRICAN AMERICAN DAD has a touching premise and strong central idea,…….”~PF Matthews for IndieReader
“Reflections of an Anxious African American Dad by Eric Heard is a heartfelt, vulnerable, and uplifting memoir.” – Sheena Monin, Luminosity Media Group
I hope this book will help others who don’t have their
stories told anywhere in media. There are other African American
men dealing with their childhood experiences and wanting to
insulate their sons and daughters from the echoes and continued
grasp of systematic racism. I grew up during an era of seismic
changes that saw whole communities decimated. The mental anguish
quietly pushed African American dads to find a way to deal with an
unforgiving world. These dads are looking to raise kids while at
the same time reconciling crushing pain. I would like this book to
be an acknowledgment of that pain and let them know they are not
alone.
1. What would you consider to
be your Kryptonite as an author?
My Kryptonite would be a fear of judgement by
others in a public setting. As I write a story, I spend a lot of time wondering
if people will like or really hate it. There have been times where I have stopped
writing because I have been caught in my fear. As I write more, I have started
to become better with not listening to my fear and just working on writing.
2.
If you could tell your
younger writing self anything, what would it be?
If I could talk to talk to myself, I would tell
myself that double spacing and larger fonts do not make the book longer…lol. I
would tell myself that the book should be longer and there is always opportunities
to fully flesh out the book in a meaningful way. After publishing this first
book, I was so caught in writing something interesting that I should have
trusted myself as a competent writer.
3. Favorite childhood memory involving books?
My favorite childhood memory was reading a set
of science encyclopedias at night when I went to bed. I enjoyed reading them
and learning new concepts and pretending that I was a great scientist going around
the world coming up with these new science concepts.
4. If you had to describe yourself in three
words, what would they be?
I would describe myself in three words as Too Dang
Serious. I am told by a lot of people that I am too serious, and I need to
loosen up. As I get older, I discovered that life is too short and it is
important to take a moment and just enjoy yourself. The writing of this book is
one of those dreams that I had that is taking me out of my comfort zone.
5. What is your most unusual writing quirk?
The most unusual writing quirk that I have is
blurting out concepts of what I want to write about to my wife. She thinks I am
crazy, but I tell her that I need to hear it out loud. If it make sense, I will
write about and if doesn’t, I move on to another concept.
6. What is your favorite genre to read?
My favorite genre to read is Science Fiction.
Science Fiction gives the read endless opportunities that can be outside of the
world they lived in. I spent so many days as a kid imagining that I was in some
far away galaxy or working on some top secret science project. I would
recommend science fiction to all kids to get them excited about expanding their
world and pushing themselves for bigger and better things.
Eric L. Heard currently lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky with his wife, Sonya, of 17 years and his son, McKinley. Eric is a graduate of Florida State University with a BS in Engineering. He also has a Master’s Business Administration from Indiana University and Master’s of Manufacturing Operations from Kettering University. He is an Army Brat who has lived in the Southeast United States, Germany, and Japan.
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