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.

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.

Book Coming in the Fall of 2011

This blog is about my upcoming book, Refugee Was My Name.

I was pastoring Grace Baptist Church in Barnesville and teaching at Rick's Institute near Monrovia when the Liberian Civil War began, of all days, on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1989. Besides the providence of God, one of the habits that helped me stay sane was keeping a diary and a journal of what I saw, heard, thought and felt during those tedious days that turned into weeks and months. After five dreadful days on foot our group finally crossed the border into Sierra Leone before continuing on to Ghana, where I lived as a refugee before migrating to the United States.

It has taken nearly 20 years for me to be able to survive an entire trip through my war diary and journal without falling to emotional pieces. Finally, God has connected me with Jean Purcell of Opine Books, who is currently editing the manuscript to be published in the Fall of 2011, under my pen name Mogama.

In the main time, feel free to ask me questions about the book, or about the Liberian war, or about the country of Liberia. If you are a Liberian, know a Liberian, or you've ever lived in Liberia, please post a comment to that effect. I am eager to connect with you so we can know one another. If you have worked with refugees, I want to know how you've helped one of the least of these. If I already know you, just let me know that you stopped by at the blog for Refugee Was My Name.

Also, share your ideas on how I can make this blog more meaningful.

Thanks very much! ~mogama~