Happy New Year!
It is a great pleasure to get on the grind again to write about books and all related matters.
Thank you for keeping faith with me and this column. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts and feedback via email. I hope this relationship continues. Please, feel free to share ideas, questions and responses to my articles via the email at the end of this page. Many thanks
2020 was a tough year and there were obvious effects (positive and negative) on writing and the business of writing. These notwithstanding, it is my prayer that 2021 will bring more good news than bad to us all.
For my first article, I will share a piece of fantastic news with you! Drumroll, please…
Same Elephants, a novel authored by a Ghanaian-American, will be featured in the South Carolina State Library. I find this exciting because it is a motivation any writer will need to begin their year. An opportunity to be featured by a library is goals and important to advance the cause of the writer. I encourage as many writers to do well to participate in the virtual event that will take place in February.
For a reader, this, I believe is a good opportunity to meet a new author, if you do not know the author I am about to introduce to you. You will love her books and I can bet that you will love her personality even more. Block February 11 on your calendar and you will not regret it.
Now, let me tell you more about this announcement in three sub-headings – The Book, The Author & The Event.
The Book
Same Elephants addresses relevant contemporary themes such as race, diversity and unity. In the book, Marjy sheds light on race relations and the importance of representation. It is an enlightening and introspective novel about four friends from diverse backgrounds. When two of the four friends are mistaken for trespassers, the four friends embark on a quest to educate their community about the dangers of stereotyping. Same Elephants explores everyday relationships, the presumptuous nature of society and the ability to rise above prejudice.
Same Elephants is the author’s second book — a sequel to the first, titled The Shimmigrant. Same Elephants debuted as a top 10 release in March 2020.
A review posted on Amazon by Akua Gyasi reads:
“A refreshing and fun read which is perfect for many audiences and the times we live in. Marjy’s ability to present important racial and social issues by weaving Sasha’s Ghanaian roots into the diverse yet racially divided fabric of the US is genius.
In light of the current protests and the difficult conversations about race going on across the US, the timing of Same Elephants couldn’t be better.
Same Elephants is a fun, engaging, quick read that gave me hope in humanity and left a smile on my face”.
The Author
Marjorie Boafo Appiah who writes as Marjy Marj is a Ghanaian-American writer based in South Carolina. After graduating from the Universities of Ghana and Baltimore, she pursued further studies at Duke University.
A visionary and a consultant, Marjy is also the host of Humanity Chats, a show (which streams on social media) about everyday issues affecting humans.
In 2020, she was named the South Carolina Woman of Accomplishment by the Business and Professional Women of South Carolina. Her most recent leadership award was being named the 2020 Community Honoree at The Spartanburg County Foundation Women Leadership Gathering
Marjy is the author of two books The Shimmigrant and Same Elephants.
The Event
According to the South Carolina State Library and Read SC, Authors of SC will be featuring on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 7:00 PM EST. The virtual event will introduce participants to Marjy’s latest book – Same Elephants.
This event will take place virtually and to receive the Zoom link, you must register. Visit the South Carolina State Library Website to register as only very few slots are available.
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Until I come your way next Friday, remember that it can only get better and we can only get better.
Elikem M. Aflakpui
