AUTHOR NOTE: There is explicit and graphic content.
Print Length: 380 Pages
Genre: Women's Fiction
Publisher: Independently Published
ISBN-13: 978-1717868947
ISBN-10: 1717868940
Silver Spoons: One's Journey Through Addiction is now available to purchase at Amazon.com.
Book Giveaway Contest
To win a copy of the book Silver Spoons: One's Journey Through Addiction by Sarah Dickinson, please enter using Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post. Giveaway ends on February 2nd at 11:59 PM EST. We will announce the winner the next day on the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!
About the Author
You can find the author online at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Silver-Spoons-Ones-Journey-Through-Addiction-916257075228829/
Blog: https://sarahvdickinson.art.blog/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahdauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Peerpre36414692
Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19325669.Sarah_Dickinson
--- Interview by Nicole Pyles
WOW: First, congratulations on your book Silver Spoons. You chose a unique storytelling method by telling this story in mostly letter form. Why did you choose to write your book in this way?
Sarah: I chose it for a few reasons. It helped establish intimacy and unfiltered honesty. It was also something I had never seen and it helped create a unique spin to hopefully stand out. Also, for totally pragmatic reasons writing it in the form of letters gave me some freedom in telling the story. I could ignore certain rules of grammar and interject facts without sounding like a textbook.
WOW: I love that! So, why did you decide to self-publish?
Sarah: It's exceptionally difficult to get your foot in the door. I have been rejected for not having enough followers. I have received interest, but then I was asked to make changes in the characters in various parts of the story. All of that led me to decide that this book would never fit into the commercialized asset of traditional publishing. I wanted this story to be told as raw and honest as possible and didn't care much about making money.
WOW: I read in an interview that you went to AA meetings and even received personal accounts from people that you put into your book. What did you learn from working directly with people in recovery from addiction?
Sarah: Yes, I did. I even got a sponsor and worked the steps. Every person I spoke to went out of their way to help me understand the steps as well as the program. There were closed meetings I wasn't allowed in, but I was made to feel welcome in every open one. I learned about addiction, namely that it does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone at any point. That the practices and steps in AA could help any person live a better life. I learned every person deserves the chance of a new life and the support to do it.
WOW: That shows so much dedication to the story you were telling! What do you hope people gain by reading this book?
Sarah: The biggest thing I hope they gain is empathy. I hope they see not only how easy it is to become an addict, but that addicts are still people. Good people who have done bad things. They can be your neighbor, friend, or co-worker. I hope the reader sees that addiction and recovery affect more than just the addict. You never know what any person is battling.
"Dive in and tell that story. The most stigmatized subjects are often the ones with very few voices."
WOW: I totally agree. What advice do you have for people who want to write about a subject that is often stigmatized?
Sarah: I would say to do your research. Despite my own experiences, I spent a year researching addiction and going to meetings. You should also have a very honest conversation with yourself about what voice or perspective you want to bring to this. Lastly, I'd say dive in and tell that story. The most stigmatized subjects are often the ones with very few voices.
WOW: Fantastic advice! So, what are you working on now?
Sarah: I'm still in the research of a story about two sisters who were estranged due to one of them marrying an abusive man. When the abuse continues and gets worse, the sister flees. She is helped by her sister and they reconnect as they both help rebuild her life. While I want to address the abuse, especially how predators abuse their victims as well as the effects of that abuse, I want the main focus to be on their relationship. I want to focus on sisterhood, family, hope and all the good stuff.
WOW: That sounds awesome! Best of luck with your book and with the blog tour!
--- Blog Tour Dates
January 27th @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Visit our blog today and you can read an interview with the author of Silver Spoons: One's Journey Through Addiction and also enter to win a copy of the book!
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
January 28th @ 12 Books
Stop by Louise's blog today and read her review of Sarah Dickinson's book Silver Spoons: One's Journey Through Addiction.
www.12books.co.uk
January 29th @ Joyful Antidotes
Make sure you visit Joy's blog today and read her review of the book Silver Spoons: One's Journey Through Addiction.
https://www.joyfulantidotes.com
January 30th @ 12 Books
Visit Louise's blog again where you can review Sarah Dickinson's guest post about 5 reasons why you should consider a change in lifestyle.
www.12books.co.uk
February 1st @ Author Anthony Avina Blog
Make sure you visit Anthony's blog today where he shares a spotlight of Sarah Dickinson's book Silver Spoons: One's Journey Through Addiction.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
February 2nd @ A Storybook World
Deirdra will be highlighting Sarah Dickinson's book Silver Spoons: One's Journey Through Addiction with a spotlight post.
http://www.astorybookworld.com/
February 3rd @ Jill Sheets' Blog
Visit Jill's blog today and read Sarah Dickinson's guest post about 5 reasons to consider a change in your relationships.
http://jillsheets.blogspot.com/
February 4th @ Coffee with Lacey
Join Lacey over at her blog today and read her review of Sarah Dickinson's book Silver Spoons: One's Journey Through Addiction.
https://coffeewithlacey.com/
February 10th @ To Write or Not to Write
Visit Varsha's blog today and read her review of Sarah Dickinson's book Silver Spoons: One's Journey Through Addiction.
https://sreevarshasreejith.blogspot.com/
February 10th @ StoreyBook Reviews
Make sure to visit Leslie's blog today and check out an excerpt of the book Silver Spoons: One's Journey Through Addiction.
https://storeybookreviews.com/
February 12th @ The Faerie Review
Visit Lily's blog today and read her review of the powerful book Silver Spoons: One's Journey Through Addiction.
http://www.thefaeriereview.com/
February 13th @ Author Anthony Avina Blog
Visit Anthony's blog again where you can read a guest post by author Sarah Dickinson. Make sure you check out her easy self-care tips to add to your daily routine.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
February 14th @ Jessica Belmont's Blog
Visit Jessica's blog today and you can read her review of Sarah Dickinson's book Silver Spoons: One's Journey Through Addiction.
https://jessicabelmont.wordpress.com/
February 16th @ And So She Thinks
Make sure you visit Francesca's blog today and read her review of Sarah Dickinson's book Silver Spoons: One's Journey Through Addiction. You can also read an interview with the author!
https://andsoshethinks.wordpress.com/
February 18th @ Choices
Visit Madeline's blog and you can read Sarah Dickinson's guest post about how to be self-aware in your writing.
http://madelinesharples.com/
February 19th @ It's Alanna Jean
Make sure you visit Alanna's blog and read a guest post by Sarah Dickinson called, "5 Reasons to Consider a Change in Career."
http://ItsAlannaJean.wordpress.com
February 20th @ The Frugalista Mom
Visit Rozelyn's blog today and you can read her review of the book Silver Spoons: One's Journey Through Addiction by Sarah Dickinson. Also, win a copy for yourself too!
https://thefrugalistamom.com/
February 21st @ The Frugalista Mom
Stop by Rozelyn's blog today and you can read Sarah Dickinson's guest post about how to raise a confident (but not arrogant) child.
https://thefrugalistamom.com/
February 23rd @ Author Anthony Avina Blog
Stop by Anthony's blog and you can read his review of Sarah Dickinson's book Silver Spoons: One's Journey Through Addiction.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
February 24th @ Armed with a Book
Visit Kriti's blog today and read her review of Sarah Dickinson's book Silver Spoons: One's Journey Through Addiction.
https://www.armedwithabook.com/
February 25th @ Armed with a Book
Make sure you visit Kriti's blog again when she interviews the author Sarah Dickinson.
https://www.armedwithabook.com/
***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****
To win a copy of the book Silver Spoons: One's Journey Through Addiction by Sarah Dickinson, please enter using Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post. Giveaway ends on February 2nd at 11:59 PM EST. We will announce the winner the next day on the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Nicole, thank you for conducting the interview. :)
ReplyDeleteSarah ~ Addiction and recovery is a topic that is important to me, and I'm so glad you brought these issues into the light. I know so many people affected by the opioid epidemic, and before I married my husband, I was with a heroin addict for over three years, trying to get him to kick and get clean (a lifelong struggle). I've had my own battles as well and found comfort in AA, and you're right, the steps can help any person live a better life.
I love the letter format! From a writing perspective, it's an amazing tool for creativity because it allows the words to flow freely when you have one person in mind while writing. Good luck on your tour! It looks like a great one. Also best of luck on your current project--it sounds like something I'd love to read. :)
Thank you for being so frank and honest. I think the only way we can help others in addiction is by learning as much as possible from their point of view.
ReplyDeleteNicole--Thanks for doing this interview. It looks like a compelling book.
ReplyDeleteSarah--The research you did is fascinating. Oxycontin wreaked havoc on my family. One eventually died from it. Two should have.
Good luck with your next book. I admire the way you've forged ahead and self-published. Great stories will find their way to readers, no matter how they find their way to the bookshelves...
What's your favorite song about addiction?
ReplyDelete