The Book I Didn't Want to Write

Growing up I had one career goal: to be an author.

I was 60 with 8 books to my name when my Ancestors let it be known that it was time to write my Mixed memoir.

I had written, co-written, and co-edited an eclectic array of books in different genres.

But tell my own deeply personal story?

I can’t even journal properly!

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Check out the SWIRL GIRL video treat at the top of the post!

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While I’d written fiction and nonfiction, this memoir thing was a whole new beast to conquer.

When I tell you that every moment, every word, and every page of this book kicked my professional writing behind…

I fussed and fumed, but the Ancestors made it clear that I would not be writing another book of ANY kind until the memoir was launched into the world.

And thus, SWIRL GIRL: Coming of Race in the USA was born.

I tried the traditional publishing route, but this was about 8 years ago—before the mainstream recognized that there was a Mixed-race audience or a viable market for books on Mixed topics.

Fortunately, SWIRL GIRL was picked up by a wonderful independent Black publisher, Alchemy Media Publishing, in Atlanta.

My Mixed memoir was birthed into the world in April 2020, weeks into the pandemic shutdown that rocked our nation and the world.

Thanks to the love and support from my readers, SWIRL GIRL has earned 5-star reviews on both Amazon AND Goodreads!

Here are 5 reasons I wrote SWIRL GIRL (and why I hope you read it!):

1. The Ancestors made me do it!

2. To let people know that being Mixed race does NOT automatically mean that all of us are suffering, confused, tragic, or lost.

3. As a response to all the people who have said—throughout my life—”I’ve never met a Mixed person like you. You’re kind of weird. How did you get this way?” (Don’t worry—I considered that a compliment).

4. To share what it was like coming of race as the U.S. was coming of age with historic racial awakenings, reckonings, conflicts, and changes.

5. To spill the tea on growing up a #BLEWISH, light-skinned, racially ambiguous-looking “Black Power Flower Child” determined to define myself on MY terms.