Meet Harriet Cammock (Lathrup Village, MI)

Meet Harriet Cammock (Lathrup Village, MI)

It doesn't matter how you start; it matters how you finish. This can be said of Harriet's life. Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Harriet's journey is one marked by a strong faith in the belief that you can overcome all adversities if you try hard enough.

Harriet's grandmother instilled a drive to succeed in her during childhood. After surviving an abusive marriage, Harriet determined she would use her own experiences in overcoming abuse to teach other women how to overcome the same experiences. She channeled those experiences into the publication of three books: Visions, Musings of the Spirit, and Through the Fire. Through her blog, “Harriet's Blog,” she provides inspirational and uplifting messages to many people.

Harriet began a weekly radio show entitled "The Faith Hour" in June 2009; she used this platform to launch the "Renewed by Grace Conference". It was a conference designed to bring together men and women whose lives were touched by abuse. The conference was a success. As such, Harriet plans to host another conference in the near future.

Harriet volunteers and speaks on behalf of Haven, the Domestic Violence Agency that serves Oakland County, Michigan. She also sits on Haven’s Speaker's Bureau and is a proud member of the Oakland County Prevention Partnership (OCPP). In January, Harriet was honored by Haven at their Celebration of Strength Awards Ceremony with the Phoenix Award for her advocacy against domestic violence.

A published author, she now hosts the weekly Internet radio program "The Harriet Cammock Show" (read more about it on "The Harriet Cammock Show" page on our site!). This show uses principles of survival and success - principles that Harriet learned first-hand.

Harriet has appeared on The Word Network, Authors TV, HOM-TV, and Atlanta Live! A gifted orator, Harriet is available for speaking engagements and can be reached through the "Contact" page on her website.

Harriet’s titles include:

Through The Fire (2011)

Musings of The Spirit (2009)

Visions (2004)

About “Through the Fire”

One Woman's Experiences in Surviving Domestic Violence

In Through the Fire, Harriet Cammock has written a captivating account of surviving domestic violence. Having lived countless years in an environment of verbal and physical abuse, Harriet recollects events no person ought to be able to call to mind. Vivid accounts create unease, knowing people are able to harm each other on such levels and call it love.

Harriet shares her blinded love, innocent assumptions, dreaded encounters, and fear-driven hopes, as she recaptures the essence of her painful memories. We journey with her through dating a perceived white knight; coping in a hopeless marriage; raising a child matured too early through unfathomable pain; and surviving near-fatal encounters with a madman, Harriet exposes the reader to an abuser’s enchanting personality as he unfolds to reveal heinous acts, detrimentally affecting the surrounding families, friends, extended networks, and self. 

"That my heart was beating was a miracle, because I was so afraid I could barely open my mouth to speak, much less breathe and give oxygen to my heart. I didn’t know what he was going to do." Through the trials, Harriet made a plan, and you will root for her to accomplish that plan. "I would imagine what my future life would be like. I would imagine my daughter and I would one day live free from this horror and it would all be just an experience far behind us. We would be free to do normal things mothers and daughters do." 

Whether you or someone else is abused, has been abused, is curious to the signs of abuse, or simply wishes to read a remarkably engaging story, this book is for you. Once you open this book, map out some time, and get cozy, as you will not want to put Through the Fire down.

UBAWA: When did you first decide you wanted to become an author?

Harriet: Writing became therapeutic as I began to record the events that took place in my home. Though the violence was horrific, I persisted - as I felt my story would one day bless other women. I learned that I could write and began to develop my skill.

UBAWA: How did you decide on the idea for your 1st book? 2nd book? 3rd book, etc?

Harriet: My first book's idea came from dreams I had had. I saw where those dreams contained a message that should be communicated and I sought a way to present those ideas to the public.

My second book was the product of my spiritual journey and my third book took the veil off my life and I began to tell the story of how abuse had brought change and violence to my life

UBAWA: How long did it take you to complete your first book? What was the process like?

Harriet: Believe it or not, my first book was the hardest. It took years from the time I had the idea to the actual publication. The process was defined by struggle. I received many letters of rejection before I found a publisher who consented to do it. I didn't get a book deal but I got an opportunity to become a published author and fulfill my dream and that I was grateful for.

There were many re-writes and tears and joy at the same time. Do you want to hear the story of my computer crashing or the post office loosing my printed manuscript on its way to the publisher? My road to destiny was paved with some off kilted moments.

UBAWA: What’s so rewarding about writing books and being an author?

Harriet: I think any time you get to tell your story it is an opportunity to help someone who may be at a defining moment in their life. I have found great reward when others tell me my story has helped them survive a situation or how it helps them to identify abuse and how motivating my story is.

I haven't made a lot of money from the sale of my books, but that does not compare to the satisfaction I obtain when someone tells me how my published work has helped them.

UBAWA: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up?

Harriet: Are you kidding? Many times. The road to destiny is not paved with success and shortbread and cookies. I had to persevere in spite of trials and tribulations, and disappointments, and setbacks. I had to motivate myself to continue and follow the project to completion.

UBAWA: There’s more to being an author than writing a book. How do you manage to handle the business side of things?

Harriet: I learned that I had been created with business ideas and in fact had helped others develop their business. I used the same ideas to define mine and created marketing avenues of distribution.  I use social media as free advertising. I create budgets. I’m still learning to live off of budgets!

In the next few months, I will be hiring a business manager who will ease the burden of watching this side so I can focus on the creative side of things.

UBAWA: Do you have an editor or do you edit your own books?

Harriet: In the past I have used editors. My trusted editors are my daughter Alexandra and Cassandra Allen. I cannot edit my own books though I do have final say in the manuscript before publishing

UBAWA: Who does the cover art for your book(s)?

Harriet: LT Graphics, Yvonne Louise, and C. Allen Design

UBAWA: Do you ever encounter writer’s block? How do you get past it?

Harriet: Oh my gosh! Writer's block can be intense. It can be anything from two minutes to two years! I have had it in the past and I had to force myself to become engaged in the project.

Now I write blogs daily or weekly as a way of keeping my writing skills in tune. My blog is sort of like a tune up!

UBAWA: How often do you write?

Harriet: Weekly, sometimes three times per week.

UBAWA: Tell us about your last book signing.

Harriet: A book signing is great as it gives the author a chance to celebrate her/his work with friends and the public. In my story, it was good to see others who are interested in seeing my published work; and to hear them celebrate my achievement made up for the computer crashes and late nights and lack of sleep.

If you ever feel like giving up a book signing is the perfect way to reassure you that your work is important. I met a lady who told me she had listened to me on the radio and was looking forward to meeting me in person to tell me how motivating and inspiring she found me to be. It was the best thing ever. It was a day when I had had no book sales. I had spent my savings organizing the event and was concerned about what the future held if the book didn't sell. Her words encouraged me and I was reminded that my reason for doing this is greater than the sales.

UBAWA: Beside social media, what other methods are you using to get the word out about your book(s)?

Harriet: My radio shows, BlogTours, other radio shows, TV appearances.

UBAWA: As a Woman of Color, what inspires you the most?

Harriet: Knowing that I have the opportunity to be the very best I can be.

UBAWA: Who is your biggest influence?

Harriet: My two daughters. I look into their eyes and see their hope of whom they want to become and I pursue my dream to inspire them that they too can overcome any adversity.

UBAWA: Have you ever done something in the past you regret? How did you get through it?

Harriet: I have had regrets, but I don't dwell on them. I tend to look at it, learn the lesson from it and move on.

UBAWA: How do you get through the tough times in life when life throws what it throws at you?

Harriet: Oh boy! This is a good one. I use my faith and my belief in myself to get through the tough times.

UBAWA: What is one goal you want to accomplish for yourself in 2013?

Harriet: To have my radio show nationally syndicated and to start my own TV show

UBAWA: What do you have planned next?

Harriet: Expanding my radio show networks and working on my fourth book

UBAWA: How can readers and others in the literary community reach you?

Harriet: I can be reached through my web site @ www.harrietcammock.org as well as in a variety of social media platforms.

Facebook: facebook.com/Harriet.Cammock

Twitter.com/HarrietCammock @HarrietCammock on Twitter

Google+,

Foursquare,

BlogTalkRadio.com/the-harriet-cammock-show

1-800-573-1534 or 248-794-4432

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