Book Signing Scheduled for African American Heritage

This is exciting news! Mrs. Juanita White along with her husband, Dennis White, is organizing a book signing for Refugee Was My Name at the African American Heritage Museum in Louisville, Kentucky. The event has been scheduled for Saturday, February 4, 2012, as part of Black History Month events in the Bluegrass State.

Dennis and Juanita were church mates of mine at Beargrass Baptist Church during my seminary years at Southern Seminary in Louisville. They are mentioned in the book for being the unfortunate friends to pick up the burden of my car payments for eleven months. For details, see Refugee Was My Name.

Last Saturday, December 10, when I was in Louisville, I dropped an enlarged, framed poster of the book cover at African Foodway & Cosmetic, owned by Molubah Kamara. The poster will later be picked up by Dennis White, and will be displayed at the museum, leading to the book signing on February 4th.

Dennis is looking into locating journalist Mark McCormick, who wrote a feature article of me in 1993, in the Louisville Courier Journal, Kentucky's largest newspaper. The article appeared in September 1993 after I returned from Ghana, where I was stranded at the refugee camp, my second round at life as a refugee. A summary of Mr. McCormick's article is included in the book.

Keep this event in your prayers and good will, so that we have a successful book signing celebration in Kentucky's largest city.

Thanks a ton, Juanita & Dennis, for this great favor, and the contribution you are making to my family and to the nation of Liberia, as I use proceeds from the book to help with mission work in Liberia. Blessings to you!

~mogama~

First Book Signing Celebration: Brief Summary

Here is how the first book signing celebration for Refugee Was My Name unfolded on Saturday night, December 3, 2012, in the multipurpose room of Church For All, my home church:

1. Opening Remarks & Prayer: Darlene Blair, the organizer of the signing event, welcomed everyone, made few remarks, and asked Summer Wilson, the associate organizer, to pray.

2. Introduction: Darlene introduced me, and the audience applauded, every face, including mine, lit up with big, bright smiles of love, friendship, support.

3. About the Book: I said a few words about the book: I explained why I kept a diary/journal of my war and refugee experiences. I mentioned how my connection with Bruce Horst, owner of SearchWarp.com (now WryteStuff.com), triggered the path to publishing, when he offered to link me with Jean Purcell, owner of Opine Publishing, and to pay towards the cost of publishing. Finally, I touched on the kind of readers that will find my book helpful and meaningful; namely, those who are under immense pressure due to sudden bursts of suffering like shattered dreams, being/feeling stuck, intense questions about faith in a sovereign God, and painful separation from family and friends.

4. Excerpt: I chose one of three excerpts and read it. Presuming I was done with tears of the past, I began reading only to break down, continuing to read between sobs, and completing the reading in teary fashion. It was almost embarrassing, when I realized I couldn't wipe away my tears, because I forgot to take a handkerchief to the event. No one expected tears, because there was not a box of Kleenex around. There's grace for that!

5. Q&A: I opened the floor for questions from the audience. Several asked me about some specifics of my experiences, how I handled certain challenges, and so forth. I answered from the heart, particularly avoiding coming across as some kind of hero of faith; frankly those who read the book will find that I probably scored an F, if my faith were to be graded. The surprise is that, by God's favor, I still survived with such a poor performance.

6. Book Signing: Darlene took and shelved books that were pre-ordered by church members and already signed by me. I took my seat behind the elegantly prepared desk. Darlene handed me a very stylish pen befitting the occasion; she made it clear I was not allowed to use the cheap pen I got from Independence Bank. The signing of books began, along with exchange of smiles, handshakes, and hugs.

The room was set up with an African theme. Kente cloths decked and draped the tables. African art interspersed here and there. African music played melodiously in the background.

There was refreshment of food and drinks. I forgot to eat until the very end. The whole event took about 90 minutes, plus an additional 15 minutes or so to completely clean up.

In addition to members of my church family, few other special friends streamed in, and their presence really graced my heart and the occasion.

Now, I know what a book signing looks and feels like. As I told Darlene, "We're now experts in book signing!" At least we've got our feet wet.

Cyber Week Special: Free Shipping on Refugee Was My Name

For Internet orders of Refugee Was My Name during the week of Cyber Monday (November 28 to December 3), you get FREE shipping to anywhere in the United States.

Click the Add to Cart button below to Buy with PayPal

First Radio Interview about Refugee Was My Name

Brother Ron Miller interviewed me this morning (Wednesday, November 23, 2011) on radio WBFI, 91.5 FM, in the McDaniels-Leitchfield, Kentucky listening area. We had a great time, and I look forward to getting some response.

During the interview we also talked about Mission Liberia, and our trip to Liberia in March 2012. Brother Miller will be the main teacher and preacher during our mission trip.

You can read chapter 1 of Refugee Was My Name and buy a copy of the book at mogama.info. Thanks for your support. ~mogama~

Grab Your Copy Now Before February 2012

Opine Publishing has notified me that Refugee Was My Name will be available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble (BN.com), and other outlets by February 2012. If you don't want to wait that long, you can read the first chapter for free, and then if you like what you read, you can grab an autographed copy of your own right now.

Visit my home page for details: mogama.info

Thanks for your support and friendship that helped to turn the simple diary/journal of a war victim into a 258-page book that's worth the read! Blessings to you & yours-:)

~mogama~

First Box of Books Arrives!

Hurray! Yeah! The first box of 24 books from the publisher arrived at my doorstep today. When I heard the door bell I knew it was the post office delivery person. Sure enough there it was ... the treasure box.

Seriously, it almost felt like holding a newly born infant. At first I hesitate to reach that far down for the box, concerned that my recovering lower back might pain, but I felt no pain whatsoever. After all, this is my baby. How can it hurt to pick it up?

My friend, Victor Annan, the team leader for Mission Liberia was first to get a copy. He's on his way to Ghana, West Africa, and he wants to be reading Refugee Was My Name during his nearly 20-hour flight. I signed his copy and wrote Psalm 46, which I'll be using as the theme verse for this book; I'm thinking of reading Psalm 46 at each book signing.

Tomorrow I begin mailing signed, free copies to my peer reviewers, along with three signed copies back to the publisher. Then it will be time to stash some cash and send for another box of books. I don't want to run out at any time, and that could be a challenge.

Meanwhile, my first radio interview is scheduled for Wednesday, November 23, on WBFI, in McDaniels, Kentucky. I will be interviewed by Brother Ron Miller, my mentor.

Also, keep me in your prayers as we plan the first book signing celebration to take place at Church For All, my home church. If any of you my friends and supports wish to help organize a simple book signing celebration, kindly let me know.

Now, it's time to time to sell tons of books to help fund some of my side of Mission Liberia, of which the first trip is scheduled for March 1, 2012. Again, thanks for your friendship along with all your prayers. This is a dream come true.

Books Have Been Shipped!

I have received an email from the publisher, stating that a box of books has been shipped to me. Hopefully, the books will arrive by the weekend.

If you want to help plan a Book Signing Celebration at a location of your choosing, please let me know, so we can set one up. During the event I will personally sign each book that is purchased.

Thanks for your patient support. I will keep you posted.

~mogama~

Books Ready!

The baby is here! It's a boy! No, it's a girl! It's both!


Shortly after 4 PM Central Standard Time today, I received an email from the publisher, clearly stating copies of Refugee Was My Name have been printed.


Tomorrow, November 8, 2011, the publisher will ship copies to me via UPS ground service. Then I will be mailing complimentary, signed copies to my peer reviewers as gratitude and appreciation for their timely help.


Meanwhile, this will be a L-O-N-G week, as I wait for that box of books to arrive at my house, hopefully by week's end. Can't wait to hold the baby in my fatherly hands.


Thank you, my friends, for all your prayers, encouragement and patience. All glory and praise to our God and Savior whose providence has made this project possible.

Change in Publish Date

Latest info from publisher is that the proof copy from the printer showed errors. Changes have been made and the manuscript resubmitted, but we have to get back in queue!


The early part of November is the new time frame for Refugee Was My Name to be printed. With the repeated delays, not to mention questions from my friends who can't wait to read this book, I nearly quoted King Solomon's word in Proverbs 13:12,


Hope deferred makes the heart sick, 
But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. 


However, I insist on sticking to hope alive. This baby may be overdue, but this baby will be delivered, and there will be joy throughout the clan! Keep the prayers going, my friend.

Printer has Received File of the Book from the Publisher!

This is the BIG news we have been waiting for. Several of my friends have been asking me all month long: When will the book be ready? Now, I have something concrete to tell you all.

Here is the email I received from the publisher moments ago:

Your text is now in printer's hands.By now you should have a copy of e-mail I sent to our cover designer this morning, to let him know that he can now upload cover files.Once he uploads that file, we can say "your book is now in printer's hands." Printer will check both files, and if all looks ready, they will proceed with printing, according to their job queue. I will let you know how things proceed from here.



And I replied with this message to the publisher: Please let me know when printer gives you the date the book will be printed. There is just something about knowing the exact date, isn't there?

I will blog here as soon as I know more. Seems like we are almost past "contractions bed" and heading towards "delivery room". This baby is on the way!

Publish Date Set for September?

The publisher has informed me that Refugee Was My Name will be published this month, September, 2011. As soon as they give me the exact date of the month, I will let you know.

It is so exciting to be this close to the delivery room. The contractions are on, and they should be overlapping any day now!

Final Draft of Refugee Was My Name

It seems like we are on the home stretch now. The editor sent me the final draft for me to look over one more time.

I did catch a few corrections, some of which involve factual information, while others have to do with Liberian English (again). However, the vast majority of the manuscript is looking really great.

Also, we are deciding on a photo to put on the back of the book. I have picked one with Miss Harriet and I on it. I hope it shows here well. Let me know if you have a preference. Please use the comment box on this page for your feedback.

Professional Book Cover for Refugee Was My Name

Some things are better left to the professionals. Designing a book cover is one of them. You may have seen my almost best shot at crafting an attractive book cover for Refugee Was My Name. Well, though I might have felt good about how much time and creativity I dumped into the effort, Miss Harriet, my wife kept saying, "Can't you find a different photo?"

Robert Saydee, my boyhood friend, didn't sound upbeat about the cover photo either. But the publisher entertained my gesture at a good try. So I was willing to live with it, though at the back of my mind I desired a better cover page for the book.

Long story short, here it is ... the professional cover page for the book. Take a look and tell me what you think.

Draft of the Acknowledgments Section

After days of pondering how to phrase the wordings of the Acknowledgment page ... names to include and how to thank each or all ... I finally started typing away last night. And just before midnight I had a draft I could live with.

I have emailed the editor to send me a list of the names of the peer reviewers who actually sent in reviews of the manuscript. Once I get the list and compare it with the names I have, I will forward a draft of the Acknowledgments section to the publisher to begin the finessing process of this part of the manuscript.

Information has reached me that the two key people working on my book will be on vacation this week. So it should be next week before we can complete this segment of the journey to publication.

Newest Version of Book Cover

I have proposed to the publisher to add one more line to the subtitle of Refugee Was My Name. I will like for the subtitle to read:

Journey from Civil War in Liberia

through Sierra Leone and Ghana

to New Identity in America

On the proposed cover design it'll look something like this:

Memorial Service for Rev. Calvin White, Louisville Kentucky

Miss Harriet and I, along with Favor (our six-year-old) traveled 110 miles to Louisville on Friday, June 24, to attend a memorial service in honor of Rev. Calvin D. White, my late mentor. The service was hosted at First Virginia Avenue Baptist Church, where the pastor is Rev. Charles Duncan, under whose pastorate then Deacon Calvin White answered the call to the preaching ministry. Rev. Duncan was then pastor of Beargrass Baptist Church, the pastor Rev. White later pastored for some 18 years.

During the service, the Louisville Fire Department and the US Navy paid proper respects to Rev. White, who retired from the Fire Department with the rank of Captain.

The guests of honor were Rev. White's widow, Mrs. Patricia White, and Rev. White's 95-year-old mother.

The excellent singing and fine preaching aside, the memorial service turned out to be such a reunion for those of us who had known each other through Beargrass Baptist when Rev. White was the pastor there. We shared tears, laughter, handshakes and hugs.

In our one-on-one with Patricia White in the front row of the church, I presented her with a framed lifetime tribute that I composed to her beloved husband. In the tribute I highlighted how her husband's ministry had touched the lives of Liberians, Ghanaians, and even Americans, when he led Beargrass Baptist to financially help us to build the place of worship for Christian Inter-Denominational Assembly (CHRIDA) at the Liberian refugee camp in Ghana, West Africa. Today, CHRIDA has branches in some Ghanaian towns, in Monrovia (capital city of Liberia), and in Minnesota (USA).

Finally, I made it clear to the White family that it was my secret plan to surprise Rev. White with a copy of my upcoming book, Refugee Was My Name. I let Pat White know she will receive a copy once the book is published.

After visiting with Dennis & Juanita White at Rev. White's mom's house, then Patricia White at her Country Inn suite, we, the Matallys swung by Moluba Kamara's African food store on Taylor Boulevard in Louisville before trekking back to our home in Owensboro.

By the way, Dennis & Juanita White promised to organize a book party when Refugee Was My Name comes out. I think they'll make it a Beargrass thing, and that will make it even more special.

Rev. Calvin White is Deceased; I Wanted Him to Read This Book!

Friday June 17 was one of those days. On that day I got two calls from two different individuals inviting me to two separate memorial services at the same church in the same city during the same month (June), only on different dates! I almost thought it was the same memorial service. Or is it a joint memorial service for two individuals? May be...

Anyway, the first person was the widow of Rev. George Sebree, my friend and mentor in Owensboro, beginning late 1994. The other person was Rev. Calvin White, my friend and mentor, during my days at Southern Seminary in Louisville, from mid 1991 to early 1994. When I moved to Owensboro I lost touch with Pastor White, who left Beargrass Baptist Church and moved to Virginia. In 2004, Rev. White began pastoring again, the same year we founded Church For All in Owensboro, Kentucky.

When Dennis White called on Friday to inform me of his elder brother's death and the planned memorial service, my heart sank, because something really strange happened to me just weeks before...

Today I called Patricia White, Pastor White's widow, and she told me of the online obituary where I could comment in a Guest Book. Here are the words I posted in memory of my precious friend:

"I have never met an equally generous and good-spirited minister of the Gospel. I was a student at Southern Seminary in Louisville when Rev. White wholehearted embraced me as his African brother into the fold of the Beargrass Church family. When I got stranded at the Liberian Refugee Camp in Ghana for 11 months, he and the Church paid for my plane ticket to return to the US. With his leadership Beargrass sent money to build the sanctuary for the refugee church. Then he followed that by throwing a big Welcome Party for Harriet & Daneto (my wife & daughter) when they arrived in America in January 1995. I should have appreciated him much more for the many ways he blessed my life. Rev. White, I look forward to seeing you and your huge smile in Heaven. Your works of love follow you."


Pastor White is one of the key persons I write about in Refugee Was My Name, and I was looking forward to sending a copy of the book to him. Wow! How quickly time slips by and individuals slip into eternity. What guarantee do I have that my book will be published before I die?

Two Versions of the Cover Design

Upon recommendation of the editor I have been tweaking the image for the front cover of the book, but I'm not sure I've nailed it just right yet. Take a look at these two versions...

the rectangular picture:

and the oval picture:

Which one is better looking? Please share your feedback in the comment box of this blog post. Thanks.

Book Cover Design Discussion Continues

When I contacted the publisher about using the refugees-on-the-run photo, I got the following reply:


"I appreciate your getting others' views, which is good, to get other ideas. However, this photo to me reinforces the image of refugee already prevalent and without hope. Yes, it shows fleeing and is very sad."


Here is the photo the editor is commenting on:

The editor continues, "Yet people, in my view, need to see refugees beyond that. To me, your first photo showed simple and below normal life, i.e., in a camp. Yet, it also shows people desiring to move forward, given the expressions on your faces. You are beyond that road of the other photo, and are seeking a better life. At least, that is what it says to me."

Here is that original photo being referenced:

Based on this, it looks like we'll stick with the original cover photo for now, though there will be revisions until we get a look that the publisher and I can agree on.


What do you think? How can I make the picture better? I wish the photo were brighter or crispier, but this is probably the best-looking I can get it. No, wait, maybe I should take it to Wal-Mart photo center and see if they can make me a crispier copy...

Suggestion from Friend for Cover Photo

I was elated about the cover design I proposed, but then my friend, Robert Saydee, suggested a photo that shows refugees fleeing the Liberian war zone. Unfortunately I have no such picture. We didn't have a camera to have captured our flight from Liberia as we journeyed toward Sierra Leone.

Anyway I started searching the web and found an appropriate photo of the war. I have contacted the website that hosts the photo for written permission to use the photo. I am waiting for their response.

Meanwhile I have taken down the previous over from my website, mogama.us, until I settle on a revised one.

Proposed Book Cover Design

Weeks ago the publisher asked me for cover design ideas for the book. At the time my brain kept spinning without producing no clear concept. Then suddenly I took another look at Mark Cahill's book "One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven", and I set to creating a cover for "Refugee Was My Name".

I have just attached the result to email and sent it to the publisher asking for their approval or input. Actually I like it, but we'll see if they fall head over heels about the cover design.

My Missionary Guardian Working on Manuscript

When the publisher received a peer review from my former missionary guardian (Big Daddy), they were so impressed and moved by his comments that they decided to send him the entire manuscript to review. Wow.

So that's where the process is. I have heard from a reliable source that Big Daddy has been doing lots of weeping as he meanders through the pages. Tons of memories, I guess. Funny thing is, the same thing happened to me every time I read through my own manuscript. That's probably one reason why it took nearly 20 years to get the book from my hands and into the hands of a publisher.

Anyway, despite Big Daddy's frequent tears, I have been assured by the publisher that the Fall 2011 release date for the book still stands.

Keep praying with me, and please grab a copy and spread the word when the book comes out this Fall.

Should the Book Include Liberian English Dialect without Translation?

The editor is brainstorming three options regarding the use of Liberian English or "dialect" in the book. Here are the options:

1. Leave the Liberian dialect as I wrote it.
2. Insert an italicized translation of the dialect in parenthesis after each instance of Liberian dialect.
3. Put the dialect, with translation, in a glossary.  They would be in the order of how they appear in the book.

Having thought through it. I replied with the following feedback:

Most of the "dialect" is what we call Liberian English, and I really want to leave it that way WITHOUT translation next to it. I think the reader will figure out the meaning within the context, in the same way that you...have been able to figure it out without me. You even got the Bassa right!

If you think a glossary section for dialect is necessary, you may do so, but having the translation within the text seems to take away from the impact of the reading. Above all, leaving the dialect in there without translation is one way for readers to experience a little bit of Liberian speak, which is  part of the reader experiencing Liberia throughout the book. Who knows? A reader may visit Liberia one day, and s/he will have an idea of what to expect by way of Liberian English, and readers who have been to Liberia will connect with the language.

What do you think? Leave the Liberian "dialect" as it is or insert translations throughout the text? And what about including the Liberian "dialect" and translation in the glossary section of the book?

~mogama~

Lessons Learned Re-Write

The publisher suggested that I take another look at the last section of the book. This section is titled "Lessons Learned". It would take a second book to cover all the important lessons I have learned as a war refugee and a restored man. But I must highlight just few of the salient ones, and I have done that, I think.

I have sent the revised "Lessons Learned" section to the editor at Opine Publishers. Hopefully it's satisfactory now.

Also, they are still picking my brains about how the book cover should look. I don't have much to contribute there, except to give my input on the subtitle of the book. I really like the latest subtitle that I sent the publisher yesterday, but of course, I've felt the same way about every subtitle I have sent them.

By the way if you are one my peer reviewers for the book, please note that the deadline to send your feedback to Opine Publishers is Friday, April 29. If you need more time, please email them to see if they will allow that.

Enjoy your day!

Peer Reviewers Giving Encouraging Feedbacks

Opine Publishers have given peer reviewers up to April 29th to return their forms.

So far I've been getting very exciting feedbacks from some peer reviewers. One of them started reading the 50-page excerpt and couldn't put it down. He kept reading deep into the night, as late as 1 AM!

Another said the material is a moving story. He can't wait to read the rest of the book.

Yesterday one of my peer reviewers stopped my car to tell me about how much he enjoyed the manuscript. He compared it to the story of Hotel Rwanda... He said the material left him "hanging". He too is looking forward to reading the book.

I am so thrilled by these responses, and my soul magnifies the Lord! May He use this story of war and devastation to touch many lives around the world.

Peer Reviewers Have Received Excerpts from Opine Publisher

Some peer reviewers have informed me that they have received excerpts of the manuscript from Opine Publisher. So far the feedback is very encouraging. Peer reviewers will send their responses to the publisher once they are done reading the material.

I will keep you posted. Feel free to ask me any questions you may have about the upcoming book, Refugee Was My Name. Thanks for your interest-:)

Liberian Forum Blog

Liberia continues to rise from the ashes of the Civil War, but it has been a slow climb. The nation will be holding its second real post-war elections in October of this year 2011. Some Liberians are leery that tribal sentiments which played a major role in the destruction of our country may still be too much a part of Liberian politics. It is our prayer and hope that Liberians will divest the upcoming elections of all traces and taints of tribal politics, which pull Liberians to support candidates along ethnic lines, regardless of a candidate's ideas or agenda for the good of the nation as a whole.

As I see it, tribalism is as dangerous and deadly as racism. It is a curse on the African continent. Liberia, and no African nation for that matter, can truly succeed in building "one nation" until the ghastly beast of tribalism is once for all beheaded and buried, never to rise again.

In that vein I found this LiberianForum.com article very helpful: Eye On The 2011 Elections by attorney Johannes Zogbay Zlahn. Take a read.

Prologue; Lessons Learned

I have completed and sent to the publisher the Prologue to the book, and Lessons Learned, which may be the final chapter.

The publisher is in constant contact now. There is momentum. I will be updating this blog more frequently than in the past.

If you have any questions about the book, let me know.