LOVE IMAGINED audience and message

I was recently asked the following questions by a reviewer:

1. What is the primary/most important message in Love Imagined and how do you think readers will relate to it?

The message I was trying to express is how history/historical events play into one’s identity. I always wanted to write a book that paralleled historical events across color lines in the USA. However, it was too overwhelming for me to find the emotional energy to do so, but I was able to, at least, tell my own story: the journey of a Chinese Black woman who grew up in South Minneapolis passing for white. My publisher went out of his way to help me get permission to include quotes that were historically relevant.

2. Also, is it for a certain, limited audience that the book will have good/meaningful appeal?

Actually, no. Scandinavian friends from high school have found connections to the story beyond location. One friend actually said, knowing the main message was one of a mixed race identity, there was much she could relate to. Also, at a recent reading, a younger, mixed woman said my story was her story. I was concerned that my age, 66 years old, would have younger people poopooing it; but, I’m discovering they can relate. At the same reading a married couple, two young men, explained that one of them was searching to know more about his mixed identity. I am also hoping my story will have an impact in women’s studies and ethnic studies classrooms.

About Sherry

Author. Poet. Teacher. Mentor. Chinese/Blackbird.

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