About the Book
“The tunnel scene was brutal but Pamela’s reaction was really empowering to anyone who has become the victim of bullying. I also found Pamela’s verbal reaction toward her psychiatrist very witty and sharp and this brought a welcome break from the horror of her attack.” This is a story of survival. For, had Pamela Jean not been strong, things could have been a lot worse. Suffice it to say, a happy ending happens.
About the Author
Award-winning author Carol Denise Mitchell is a warrior of the human spirit. She wrote Your Rights What Employers Do Not Want You To Know, to help California workers throughout the state. She wrote her first of 15 novels in 1983 to rave reviews and a coveted place in the nation’s Library of Congress. The African American Literature Book Club named Mrs Mitchell, “A Writer You Should Know.” Mrs Mitchell resides in Phoenix, Arizona.
Qn 1: Can you tell us more about your book What is it about?
Ruthless Pamela Jean is an incredible story about a girl who is abused at school because of how she looks. Pamela is light-skinned, with pale skin and strong negro features. At 8 years old Pamela races to her mother, who is very dark-skinned to ask her why she is different. When young Pamela gleans that her mother is tired and does not have answers, the strong warrior decides to turn a negative into a positive. When two teens attempt to burn Pamela alive in a tunnel, the negativity against her makes her stronger. Pamela loves her mother so much she never tells her about the constant abuse. Rather, she relies on an old book by Iceberg Slim that actually empowers Pamela Jean. Abuse becomes the impetus for Pamela to finish college and began a business that will help her end child abuse nationwide. Only, this is an Escort business that is very successful, that at last puts the highly intelligent former abused in charge as a wealthy woman who uses funds from the escort business, to finance an end to child bully, which Pamela Jean turns into a charitable foundation.
Qn 2: Who do you think would be interested in this book, is it directed at any particular market?
Anyone interested in a think out the box book that actually teaches one how to avert the gravity of daily school bullying. It also shows how this teen did not want to burden her mother with a problem she sought to resolve herself; however, it opens a conversation on how much should a parent and school administrators are involved in stopping school bullying.
Qn 3: Out of all the books in the world, and all the authors, which are your favourite and why?
Claude Brown, Manchild in the Promised Land and all books by ICEBERG SLIM. These books introduced some problems that were endemic to the “Hood” as it were. Claude Brown’s book was very touching in how he told us how he felt when he first saw his brother on drugs. Slim took us out of the house and onto the streets of prostitution. His books were so powerful, it showed you how to avoid some things in life you might not want to get into. Pamela Jean turned his books into muses. It gave her the power to gain strength over the girls that bullied her.
Qn 4: What guidance would you offer to someone new, or trying to enhance their writing?
Stay with your heart. Write about something you know a lot about that means something to you. Don’t allow others to steer you away from a story you are compelled to tell.
Thank you so much for the author interview and the special presentation. This truly is a great novel sure to go down in literary, iconic history.