#RRBC Spotlight Author Micki Peluso

~ John W. Howell

 

I am pleased to welcome Micki Peluso to Fiction Favorites. Micki has received Rave Reviews Book Club’s Spotlight Author honor and will be on tour this week .

Spotlight Author

The Rewards of Writing . . .  And the Whippoorwill Sang

While writing this book was something I had sworn to do as a deathbed promise to the one I lost, it was both blessing and bane. There were times when I laughed and times when I cried—just like my readers.  Many supernatural events happened as I finished the book, just as they did throughout parts of the story. A whippoorwill, not indigenous to where I live now, sat in the bushes near my deck and sang his sad three syllable song as I wrote the hardest part of the book. Upon typing ‘The End,’ the elusive bird disappeared only to return in pure sight the day I had my first book signing. The whippoorwill sat upon the top of the small flagpole in front of my house and looked at me. The bird allowed me to get within six inches in front of it and we just stared at each other. As I reached out to touch it, off it flew, never to be seen again.

Parts of this true story seemed written by someone other than me. How could I have remembered dialogue from several decades ago? Yet I sensed it was accurate. While I was happy and relieved to finally complete it, that was also painful. I’d brought my daughter back while writing of her funny, wonderful life and in ending the book, I lost her; yet again.

Now that I am marketing the book, I’ve been blessed with remarkable happenings.  I knew the book would both entertain and move many people, but I had no idea to what extent.  I have been pleased and amazed by the amount of letters, e-mails, and phone calls I get from readers.  This book has been able to ease some of their own pain, promise them hope, and comfort them in their trials. I never saw that coming and it continues to astound and humble me.

Young boys, aged fifteen and up, to older men at eighty-two are reading the book and finding something in it for them.  I had imagined my audience would be strictly women with children, but that has not been the case.  Teachers and librarians from her High School write me with their own remembrances of her, as well as her classmates and friends. Many, after reading the book go to her gravesite and leave flowers. Some of them e-mail me with stories and experiences with Noelle that I never knew, and for that I am grateful. Again, I am overcome by these things.  Some, having known her long ago, are torn between wanting to read the book and afraid to trust their emotions.

What was started as a promise has become a fulfillment far beyond my wildest expectations. I could ask nothing greater than to have this book make a difference in the lives of those who read it. Knowing that some who read this book may become more aware of the dangers of drinking and driving, and more importantly, realize that life is made up of choices—choices which dictate life and death—inspires me to want to write more books. Having teenagers read the book is another blessing, as they realize that teenagers from 1959 to the present are basically the same.  I pray that they will, with help from this book, stop and take responsibility for the both their safety and the lives of others.  Will I ever attain closure? Probably not, but then do I really want it? As proud and humbled as I am from the reaction to . . .  And the Whippoorwill Sang, I believe that somewhere in another realm, Noelle is smiling.

Whippoorwill

The elusive whippoorwill swoops down the mountains. Through night into dawn its song mourns summer’s loss–as I cry mine.   

 AND THE WHIPPOORWILL SANG, a 300 page memoir, opens with eloping teenagers, Micki and Butch, in a bizarre double wedding ceremony with Micki’s mother.  The couple share comical escapades, spanning decades. A terrible accident occurs in a placid valley nestled in the Susquehanna Mountains. Micki narrates happier days while confronting an uncertain future. One of her six children is fighting for life in the hospital. The family embarks upon its unbearable journey to the other side of sorrow …

Bio

Micki Peluso began writing after a personal tragedy, which lead to  publication in Victimology: An International Magazine and a 25 year career in Journalism. She’s been staff writer for one major newspaper and freelanced for two more. Twelve of her award-winning short fiction and slice of life stories are published in anthologies, magazines and e-zines. Her debut book was published in 2012; a funny family memoir of love, loss and survival, called, . . .AND THE WHIPPOORWILL SANG which won the Nesta CBC Silver Award for writing that builds character. She is presently working on a collection of short fiction, slice of life stories and essays, in a book called, DON’T PLUCK THE DUCK. Her debut children’s book, ‘The Cat Who Wanted a Dog’ will be released in June, 2016.

 

To learn more about Micki Peluso, or to purchase her book, …AND THE WHIPPOORWILL SANG,

please visit:

Twitter: @mickipeluso

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndTheWhippoorwillSang

Website: http://www.mallie1025.blogspot.com/

Email: mallie1025@aol.com

 

72 thoughts on “#RRBC Spotlight Author Micki Peluso”

  2. I think writing a memoir of any kind takes courage, but to do it for a child taken way too soon must take this to the heights of bravery. Enormous kudos to you for achieving this,Micki – ❤ It must be heartening to know how much others have taken Noelle's story into their own hearts and taken comfort in your own and your family's memories.
    Thanks for having us all over today John! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Jan, thanks for stopping by to leave a comment. You are right, of course. Yet, while I wrote the book not just for my child but for all those killed by DWI”s who cannot speak for themselves, I never expected the far reaching effects it would have.

      Like

    2. Thanks, Jill, I love the cover myself. Would you believe I had one book signing where most of those passing my table wanted to buy the large cover poster more than the book. 🙂 Seriously??

      Liked by 2 people

    2. John, I want to thank you for having me as a guest on your wonderful blog. This has been a fun blog tour thanks to all of my fantastic hosts and comments from friends and fellow writers.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. It must have been terribly hard to write this, Micki, but also rewarding and therapeutic in many ways. It is lovely to hear so much good is coming from your book…and I had goosebumps reading about the whippoorwill. Thanks for sharing and thanks to John for hosting.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Mae, it was a mixture of emotions. I loved reliving her short life and writing the sad parts were my only way of releasing my own grief. So the writing was raw emotion which is why I kept the ICU scenes short and infrequent–so as not to unduly upset others reading the book who had suffered similar incidents. Thanks for your support!

      Liked by 2 people

  8. I love your blog conclusion, Micki; and, I sincerely believe Noelle is smiling. Having worked with college students all my professional life, I saw the havoc alcohol can cause — up close and personal. Thank you for courageously sharing your story, and thank you John for hosting.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Gwen. While I did put some of the incidents of grandsons listening to and being visited by Noelle in the book’s epilogue, there have been many incidents over the years where she has made her presence known. I have them written in my short stories which is coming out as a book collection soon.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Yes, Rebecca, but I made her a promise that the world would know who and what she was and I will honor that promise as long as I live. Her story is a celebration of life rather than a eulogy of death. Thanks for coming again.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Thanks for your kind words John Fioravanti. I hope you enjoy the book. And for hosting me along with John Howel and all the other great hosts. This has been a very moving week for me.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Micki, your story touched me immediately and I know I will love this book. Heading over to Amazon now to get it downloaded into my TBR list. My stories also are true and at times were very difficult to write, but the end result has been very rewarding as I know this is for you as well. Kudos to you and thanks to John for hosting.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Thank you Jan. It’s nice to know we have that in common. Let me know how you feel about the book if you get to read it. My TBR pile of books is going to topple over and crush me one of these days. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  16. My heart goes out to you, Micki, for your loss and for the courage to write about it. Sounds like an incredibly moving book. I will check it out soon, Blessings to you! 😘

    Liked by 1 person

  17. I enjoyed the story of the live and death of your little girl, I enjoyed most, the closeness of the family. Writing about the pains and struggles of life, eases the pain, and lightens the weight. Thank you John H. for hosting her.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Jin and if you enjoyed those aspects of the book most then I accomplished both my promise to my daughter and my reasons for writing the book. I’m hoping the teenagers reading it will think twice about drinking and driving and take responsibility for there actions. I look forward to your review when time permits.

      All my best,

      Micki

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Oh Natalie, I hope so as that was my whole reason for writing it.Then I can take comfort in the thought that my daughter did not die in vain. Not much comfort . . . but some. I appreciate you taking time to follow my blog tour. I won’t forget your kindness.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. What a lovely post, Micki! Hope you’re enjoying your time in the Spotlight!! 🙂
    John, thank you for being a great host, as ever! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Its wonderful when a book can touch people’s lives to such an extent. All writers aspire to have this. This book is on my radar now. Congrats Micki.

    Liked by 1 person

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