On Children’s Rights, Dark Fantasy, and Oranges

Several months ago I was invited to a writers’ group; ultra-cool talented authors of various genres featuring together, tweeting together, and by the efforts of ace author Dr. Niamh Clune and several others have formed “Orangeberry Books.”

When “Orangeberry” was established, an inspiration was Niamh’s high-rated book “Orange Petals in a Storm,” a moving paranormal account of a child finding her way out of despair.

Now as I adjust the telescope to broaden and focus backwards in distance, I think how often the issues of the pain of terrible childhoods are written in a variety of genres.  Reflex answers are classics “Oliver Twist” or “David Copperfield” by Charles Dickens.   A recent example would be “A Girl Nobody Wants” by Lily O’Brien I reviewed recently.

Let’s move the telescope again and re-focus on my genre, dark fantasy.  To keep my work at the most brevity, it’s obvious that my kick-behind heroine Shevata who was raised in a workhouse to be a war-child clearly doesn’t represent a protected loving family life.   More recent dark fantasy mega-hits include “Harry Potter” a childhood where he grew up disdained by his aunt and uncle. 

Now I’d like to pull away and hand my blog space over for a moment for this group of whip-smart, ace authors where it’s due, the upcoming “Orangeberry Books” and “Every Child is Entitled to Innocence.”

 

Every Child is Entitled to Innocence will be the first publication of the newly- formed Orangeberry Publishing Group. Due to release on February 14th, profits from the sales of this e-book will be donated to Child Helpline International.

Says initiator of the project, Dr. Niamh Clune, “I met many writers through the Internet that experienced difficult childhoods yet have overcome their brutal beginnings. I wanted to make the first Orangeberry publication a celebration of creative imagination. This powerful friend of damaged children plays an essential role in an abused child’s recovery. Gathering this series of stories was a joy. Orangeberry Books has developed special, vibrant relationships with contributors and has forged many lasting friendships.

We encouraged happy stories that reflected the innocence of childhood when infants feel wrapped in the warmth of loving arms. We wanted to contrast these with the sad ones, making them stand out in relief against a bright backdrop. We felt this comparison would demonstrate, without explanation, what happens when innocence is stolen.

In this book, the reader will find many wonderful, heart-warming stories; whilst the sad ones demonstrate the magnificence of the human spirit as it triumphs against all odds."

Executive Editor, Karen S. Elliott stated, “While I looked at all the stories in the Every Child anthology, I edited only a few. I thought it was important, for this tome, that the writers be able to express the heartbreak and joy of childhoods past without censorship.”

Spokesperson for Orangeberry Books, Niamh Clune, explained how The Orangeberry Group is at the vanguard of a new wave of Internet publishing companies. Orangeberry aims to put quality first and bring exciting, exceptionally talented authors to the reader’s attention. Its focus is not on commercialism, but on quality, beautifully written, well-told stories. Orangeberry will also publish poetry. A further aim of the publishing company is to bring a collection of exceptional artists from across many different art disciplines to collaborate on projects in a personal, hands-on, mutually supportive manner.

The motto of the company is, ‘Paying it Forward.’ The company relies on a well-developed social network, the dedication of the core team members, their talent and enthusiasm coupled with a socially entrepreneurial spirit. Supporters and members of this group will also benefit from on-line mentoring, a book-club, the Youth Tube Channel, and the OBBlog.

For further information visitwww.orangeberrybooks.com www.theobblog.com

Join the FB group @ http://www.facebook.com/groups/orangeberrygroup/

@CHIamsterdamhttp://www.childhelplineinternational.org

I hope readers/writers will embrace this every important disturbing issue about children and to visit the many talented authors at Orangeberry.  I thank Niamh and her talented colleagues for giving me the privilege of featuring this important work here, and I’m honored to participate.

Rights for Children!!  Hey, writers and readers out there!  We know, we may not say, we may know we may not think because we don’t want to, but we know things happen to children through our childhoods; be it witnessed or experienced.  Let’s bring the rights for children to the light in the fashion only writers and readers can.  In this case, a cliché is spot on: The pen is mightier than the sword.