SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2020 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Ona Russell holds a PhD in American literature from UC San Diego, where she also taught for many years. She’s a frequent speaker at literary events, including the famed San Miguel de Allende Writers’ Conference. Her essays and academic articles have appeared in literary and legal journals nationwide. Ona’s latest book Son of Nothingness was inspired by her mother’s experience in a home for unwed mothers. Sunstone Press published her three previous novels, including The Natural Selection, a California Book Award finalist, and Rule of Capture, an IPPY silver medal winner for regional fiction. Ona lives in Solana Beach, California.
Tanya Hutchinson’s best-selling book Phenomenal Beauty is a must-read! She shares intimate details about the tragic events in her life that forced her to run away from home. She grew up fast on the streets of Detroit-depending only on herself for survival. Her story begins with her being born in the back seat of a police car to a teenage drug addict. Being physically beautiful was the reason behind a violent assault that left her scarred for life when she was only 13 years of age. She speaks candidly about her experience of becoming Mrs. California International and how her childhood experience prepared her for marriage and motherhood.
Tanya made history when her powerful story entitled “NEVER EVER GIVE UP” was featured in the inaugural addition of “Chicken Soup for the African American Woman’s Soul”. Her latest book “YOU ARE PHENOMENAL”, is a thirty-day positive affirmation Journal to help change the cycle of defeat for those that are stuck in a rut.
Tanya has received many accolades and titles over the years, including former “Star Search Champion Television Spokes Model”, Los Angeles Raider’s cheerleader, and winner of “She’s Got the Look” Reality TV Series, but the greatest title she proudly owns is wife of more than 30 years and mother to five magnificent adult children. The year 2020 brings her yet another title. . . Grandmother, which she proudly wears.
In 1999, Quan Huynh shot and killed another man in a gang-related incident in Hollywood, California. He received a prison sentence of fifteen years to life in a state that, at the time, did not parole prisoners with life sentences. Behind bars, Quan continued his downward spiral.
This could have been the end of the story for Quan, as it is for many prisoners. But somewhere along the way, he discovered a new path—one that prompted him to commit to self-reflection, truth, and personal responsibility.
Sparrow in the Razor Wire is Quan’s story of transformation inside a place many see as the end of the road. In his book, he shares the journey of redemption and discovery that led to his ultimate freedom. He found that, no matter the prison, the key to unlocking the door is in each one of us.
Hosted by: Maddie Margarita
Maddie Margarita is a writer and the host of CHARACTER FLOSS THE PODCAST on Authors on The Air Global Network, iTunes, Spotify and other major podcasting platforms, and Lit Up! OC –a monthly writer’s salon in Orange County, CA. She serves on the Boards of Sisters-in-Crime OC, and the Southern California Writers Association. Her short stories can be found in IT’S ALL IN THE STORY – CALIFORNIA, an anthology of short fiction.
This is a free event, please RSVP: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwkcOyrpz8pH9CoiAeBgXHtn1VTkTi6o0VX