The Resurrection of Nat Turner Part 1 - The Witnesses
by Sharon Ewell Foster
The destinies of a young white man, a young African American woman, and a rebel "called by God" incite a historical massacre. “Sharon Ewell Foster is one of America’s best kept secrets—but not for long! She has proven to be the Picasso of the pen!”
—Bishop T. D. Jakes
The Witnesses by Sharon Ewell Foster
Critically acclaimed, award-winning author Sharon Ewell Foster pens ‘The Resurrection of Nat Turner Part One: The Witnesses.’ Just in time for the 180th anniversary of Nat Turner’s infamous rebellion, THE RESURRECTION OF NAT TURNER PART ONE: THE WITNESSES sheds new light on that complicated time in our nation’s history.
Written from the perspectives of slaves, slave owners, and an antislavery lawyer, this riveting historical novel reveals the tensions between free men and the oppressed before and after Nat Turner ignited an uprising on August 22, 1831.
As Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, searches for her next book idea, she encounters a mysterious man who recounts stories of people who knew Nat Turner, both friends and enemies. In their words are the truth of the mystery and conspiracy of Nat Turner’s life, death, and confession. Together they tell the horror of the massacre and Turner’s ultimate capture and trial.
THE WITNESSES spans more than sixty years, sweeping from the majestic highlands of Ethiopia to the small town of Jerusalem in Southampton County, Virginia. Based on extensive research, interviews, contemporary correspondence, news accounts, and actual trial records, Foster breaks hallowed ground revealing long-buried secrets of Turner and his rebellion.
BEHIND THE BOOK WITH SHARON
Acclaimed author Sharon Ewell Foster’s first novel, Passing by Samaria , was the NAACP Book of the Year in 2000. A former Defense Department instructor, writer, researcher, analyst, and logistician, she is the only African American Christy Award winner. A creative artist, she has earned place on the Essence and other bestsellers lists. A Daily Guidepost contributor, Sharon is a speaker and author of seven previous books that have earned her a loyal following that crosses market, gender, and racial boundaries.
BPM: Tell us about your journey becoming a successfully published author. Do you have anyone in your life that was heavily influential in your deciding to become an author?
First, I want to thank you, Ella, for all you do to connect writers and readers. I don’t take it for granted. Neither do I take for granted people that buy my books—there are lots of other choices. I am grateful for all the love and support. Thank you.
Unlike most writers who actually make it to publication, I tried to talk myself out of it for years. I had a professor in college during one quarter that I attended Western Illinois University, Dr. Edie Adams Welch. She told me that there were so many of our stories that needed to be told and I that I wrote well enough to do it. I heard her, but I couldn’t dream that dream for myself. I went on to attend U of I at Champaign/Urbana and graduated from University of Maryland at College Park . I married, had a career, all the while still running from writing.
But my kids picked up where Dr. Welch left off, nudging me toward writing. Finally, I felt God pushing me toward what I thought was impossible. Long story short, here I am. My first book, Passing by Samaria , became the NAACP Book of the Year in 2000 and won the Christy Award. The impossible is possible! Not just for me, but for all of us.
BPM: What books or authors made a difference in your life?
I’ve always been a voracious reader, but books that really changed my life were The Prophet by Khalil Gibran and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. I read both books as a child. Gibran’s writing is poetic and spoke to my life. I still remember, “Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. . . You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.” Beautiful, right?
Then I read The Bluest Eye. I couldn’t believe that someone who didn’t know me could tell my story. When I read Morrison’s words, I saw fireworks. Her words were hope, a whisper, that someone like me could be a writer. I’m grateful to and for her. I remember her talking about “Dixie Peach girls.” Lovely. Toni Morrison makes me want to be a better writer. Lately, though, I’ve been reading Ernest Gaines. He’s made me step up my game. I stalked the man to a library even in Louisiana so I could hear him talk about writing. LOL. What he taught was profound.
BPM: Do you have any advice for people seeking to publish a book?
There’s lots of technical advice out there, but I would say don’t get caught in the jealousy trap. Think good thoughts toward your brother and sister writers—they will come back to you.
BPM: A Legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time to another period of time. What do you hope is your legacy?
There is an African proverb that says: Until the lion tells his own story, the story of the hunt will be told by the hunters. As Dr. Welch charged me years ago, I want to tell the stories of those who have had no voices, the untold stories. I want to share our history in a way that makes all of us proud. When I was writing my latest book, Nat Turner spoke to me saying, “We were all heroes.” Years from now, I would love for people to say that, “She helped us lift up our heads.”
BPM: Share with our readers the “behind-the-scenes” dish! Introduce us to your book and the main characters. Do you have any favorites? What genre is the book? On Kindle or Nook?
When I began The Resurrection of Nat Turner five years ago, I thought I would finish it in six months. I didn’t want to write a happy slave, shucking and jiving book. I intended to write the story from his perspective, to make him more human, to include his wife and mother. That plan went bust!
If you don’t know Nat Turner, you’re not alone. Most schools don’t teach about him. He was a man who led a Virginia slave revolt in 1831, leaving over fifty whites dead—maybe the first act of open aggression leading up to the Civil War. He was hanged for it, allegedly after his confession was read in open court. (You can find the document online—The Confessions of Nat Turner as told to Thomas Gray). Thomas Gray swore that he was Nat Turner’s defense attorney.
Only six months, right? But I had this nagging thought that I needed to find the transcripts of the original 1831 slave trial. Guess what? I actually found them. Can you imagine rubbing your hands over the handwritten trial records? I stood in the courthouse reading them. Nat, alias Nat Turner, vs. the Commonwealth of Virginia. What happened then felt like a page out of The DaVinci Code: Nat Turner didn’t confess! There was no confession read at the trial. He pled innocent and Thomas Gray was NOT his attorney! I think they created the confession in 1831 to cover up a botched trial. The Resurrection of Nat Turner, Part 1: The Witnesses brings the truth to life and is available in book, e-book, and audio-book formats.
That sent me on the five year journey to find the REAL Nat Turner, researching and analyzing trial transcripts, interviewing Nat Turner’s descendants as well as those whites who were killed. People like Harriet Beecher Stowe and Frederick Douglass became part of the story. I traveled the route Nat Turner followed on pre-dawn August 22nd, 1831, down the road that is to this day called Black Head Sign Post Road as a warning that we should not get out of our place.
BPM: What inspired you to write this book? Why now?
This year marks the 180th anniversary of Nat Turner’s uprising. The truth has been buried all those years. Not just Nat Turner, but hundreds of others were murdered in the wake of revolt in the fight for liberty. Those that have heard of Nat Turner have been taught lies, based on a false confession. It’s time for the truth to be told.
This year we also are commemorating the Civil War. Nat Turner’s revolt should be part of that. He died protecting his family and securing our freedom. I had to share what I found, to uncover it. I need people to read the book and help me spread the truth.
BPM: What should readers DO after reading this book?
The Resurrection of Nat Turner, Part 1: The Witnesses by Sharon Ewell Foster
Read the book. Spread the truth.
Let’s make August 22, 2011, Truth Day:
1. On August 22nd, post about The Resurrection of Nat Turner on Facebook and Twitter
2. On August 22nd, hold Nat Turner discussions in bookstores all over the country and tell the TRUTH. It’s an American story that deserves to be told.
3. If you’re a teacher, teach the TRUTH on that day
4. Blog about other creative ways to spread the truth, like making T-shirts from The Resurrection of Nat Turner, Part 1: The Witnesses book cover to wear on August 22, 2011.
5. Or hold a mock trial: Nat Turner deserves his day in court. Email me and let me know what you’re doing to spread the truth. Email address: sharonewelfoster@aol.com
BPM: What has been your most difficult hurdle to leap? Marketing, promotions or gaining media exposure, etc. How can EDC Creations and our readers help you?
As Earth, Wind, and Fire advised, I am determined to “keep my head to the sky.”
I know with your help and the help of your powerful readers we will spread the truth together. No one can stop us! We are going to shake off this lie and lift up our heads! God says what’s done in the dark will come to the light. I am believing for turnaround—we are going to change history and lives. We need to get this into the hands of as many black men as we can and speak life to them!
BPM: We are here to shine the spotlight on your new book, but what's next? Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases. How may our readers follow you online?
Publishers Weekly just called The Resurrection of Nat Turner, Part 1 “riveting and “fast-paced”. In Part 2: The Testimony, Nat Turner will tell his own story. The second part of the Nat Turner story releases in February 2012. It may be better than Part 1!
Please check out my updated web site: www.sharonewellfoster.com. You can follow me on Facebook, sign up for my newsletter to share the ways folks are spreading the truth, and look for more background and interviews on www.theresurrectionofnatturner.com And, thank you, again.
BPM: Thank you, Sharon Ewell Foster, for sharing a little bit about yourself, your journey and your book with our readers!
This audiopostcard presentation was created by Ella Curry of EDC Creations Creations Media Group. We offer the best in book publishing publicity! Visit our main EDC Creations website today to reserve your slot today: www.edc-creations.com we have several packages that will take authors to the top!
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