SPRINGFIELD – For Olivia Meredith, writing her first book not only fulfilled her desire to be a writer, but also was an act of therapy.

She described, “A Man called Dad” with the following statement: “This is more than a book, a story to show us what we really miss. When a family is a family there’s unspoken rules. What happens in the house stays in the house it has nothing to do with your extended family or your neighbors or even the people at school. By revealing those secrets you’d reap the consequences. But sometimes how much is enough? When is it time to speak up? Jennifer Hatchet is about to be an 18 year old woman dealing with, living in an abusive household while still trying to manage living a normal teenager’s life. She has these unexplained nightmares she doesn't quite understand why, how or even what they have to do with her. An abusive father, a rebellious sister and a mom who appears to be the perfect mother but has secrets of her own.”

She will be appearing at Eastfield Mall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 9 to sell her book. Her table will be located new the Markets of Eastfield entrance.

Meredith explained to Reminder Publishing that 14 years ago she was raped by a family member that resulted in trauma that compelled her to attempt suicide in middle school. She cut herself for several years.

She started writing poetry that allowed her to release her feelings, she recalled. She recalled the poetry “allowed me to feel comfortable and I thought I might have talent.”

After moving to Florida, she spoke with a publisher and started to write. She explained that when she thought of something she would pick up her iPhone and write.

Eventually she partnered with Blurb, an online publisher and the book was released on Jan. 2.

Meredith explained that while the book is inspired by her own life she has changed many of the details

“This is a fiction book,” she said, “but the truth and the feelings of my life are behind it.”

She described the reactions to her book as “so far, so good.” She added, “People are writing to me saying the book helped them.”

She sees the release of the book as very timely both with the Me Too movement and with the revelations of the alleged abuse of young women by people such as singer R. Kelly.

She has been asked to appear at a high school in Virginia to speak about her book and it’s message. “People need to read this [book], see this … it isn’t just here, it is everywhere,” she said.

On her website, she wrote, “Message to my readers friends and even family: This book was the hardest thing for me to write. You see the scary thing about nightmares is that their reoccurring memories that replay in our heads over and over again. Their thoughts that even when we’re awake still haunt us. If you have been molested or raped, tell. I know we think ‘What if no one believes me or it’s too hard’ I believe you. Don’t carry this hatred and hurt on your own. Reach out and tell. A spouse, a parent, a friend, teacher anyone. Even if you don’t think it helps tell. I waited years to tell my mother when I was 18. Because I was scared. There are people still ‘til this day, until now, that I’ve never told. This is a pain just as bad as others that we carry alone, when it’s not our fault. How much is enough? When is it time to speak up?”

Meredith is currently working on a second book about a terminal breast cancer patient who “has a secret deep within.” She is hoping to release that book in 2020.

What she likes about writing is that she “leaving something behind … someone will always have a part of me here.”

For more information, go to https://oliviameredithauthorswebsite.com.