Author Shara Moon is taking a page from history in her latest release. I recently spoke with her about Let Us March On.
Tell me about your latest book.
Let Us March On is about a little-known woman in history named Elizabeth “Lizzie” McDuffie who proclaimed herself FDR’s “Secretary-On-Colored-People’s-Affairs”. She was a White House maid who leveraged her position to get important—often neglected—issues in the Black community in front of the president. The book chronicles her 12 years working with the Roosevelts and the impact she made within and beyond the White House walls.
Why did you decide to write it?
I learned about Elizabeth McDuffie from research I was doing for another book I had been working on. I needed someone that had some influence in the White House, particularly with the president or first lady, but who was also approachable and sympathetic to the issues of African Americans. An author friend of mine (Kaia Alderson, author of In a League of Her Own) sent me an article of Mrs. McDuffie. Upon learning more about her, I knew she needed her own story.
What do you want readers to learn from the story?
That change doesn’t happen overnight, but people like Elizabeth McDuffie, who never gave up and never lost hope, [are] why we get to enjoy some of the progress our country has made. I want readers to learn that we can only make our country a great and safe place for everyone when we move forward, not backward.
When did you fall in love with the written word?
It started in the sixth grade when I picked up my first YA book, Goosebumps. I fell in love with reading because of that series. Later, my passion for writing came about when I wrote two screenplays and a short story for my eighth-grade language arts teacher. She loved my stories so much that she encouraged me to become a screenwriter. Instead, I chose to write books.
If you could pick another profession, what would it be and why?
I love being a writer, so honestly, I wouldn’t want to do anything else. But if I HAD to pick another profession, I would probably become an immigration lawyer because I could help so many people during these turbulent times—and it would make my mom very happy to know I followed in the path she always dreamt for me. LOL.
What’s the best part of being an author?
I get to become so many different people and visit so many different places (in my head, that is). Sometimes I get to control what happens to these characters, most times they run the show. Either way, the tug-of-war for control on how the story unfolds is still a fun experience!
What’s the worst part of being an author?
Having people call my (book) baby ugly–aka negative reviews without constructive criticism.
What books have you read lately and loved?
The last three books I read recently were Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan, The Jewel of the Blues by Monica Chenault-Kilgore, and Becoming by Michelle Obama. I’m glad to report that none of them disappointed!
What’s next for you?
Well, I’m currently working on my next historical fiction novel, a post-WW1 story about a mother and widow fighting to honor the fallen soldier they both loved and lost. This story was the book that actually sparked Lizzie McDuffie’s story and takes place during FDR’s presidency!
Do you have anything you would like to add?
Yes! Please sign-up for my newsletter (https://sharamoon.myflodesk.com/signup) to learn more about me, Lizzie, and my next project.
Use the Black Fiction Addiction affiliate link to purchase your copy of Let Us March On by Shara Moon.
To learn more about Shara Moon, visit her website, or connect with her via social media.
Website: www.sharamoon.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shara__moon/