News
Project Juani is doing amazing work to improve the lives of women and girls in rural Kenya through healthcare, education, and empowerment. Their work ripples far beyond Kenya as well, and their mission is needed worldwide: “We envision a future where all women are safe from violence, are empowered to make their own healthcare decisions, and can access the care they need.” I’m grateful to them for hosting me on their Sunlit Conversations podcast! In a powerful half-hour, we touch on the challenges—and importance—of telling a story like Jessica’s, the metaphor of the man behind the curtain (including where that title came from!) and our gratitude to all those who are helping us pull back that curtain, and much more. I hope you’ll give it a listen and check out Juani’s awesome work!
I’m honored to be included among 40+ authors in the new human rights anthology Right to Life from Folkways Press! My essay explores the themes of Jessica Renee’s story and the pattern of women — even here in our allegedly progressive, fully developed country — being continually denied autonomy over their bodies and entire senses of self. Available now!
It was an amazing experience to give the keynote speech at the fundraising gala for the Child Advocacy Center of the Finger Lakes at Ventosa Vineyards on December 8, 2023. In my talk, “Pulling Back the Curtain,” I shared excerpts from the book and spoke to some of the powerful lessons it offers for both victims and allies, including the importance of resources like the CAC and Bikers Against Child Abuse, who were in attendance in continued support of Jessica and me.
Jessica and I are thrilled to have a series of three articles accepted to Rochester Woman Online magazine. The first one includes some powerful reflections from Jessica, the second offers my perspective as an ally and coauthor, and the third explores what this book journey has meant for Jessica. All three include excerpts from the book. Read them here: #1: Through the Darkness, #2: Anger and Allyship, #3: Turning Pain into Purpose.
As part of the Rochester Reads Book Festival hosted by Writers & Books in October 2023, I gave a talk called “You Are Not Alone: The Power of Sharing Difficult Personal Narratives.” Too often, victims of trauma carry shame and guilt – even though they did nothing wrong. Too often, they feel they shouldn’t talk about what they’ve been through. Allowing for conversation about these difficult topics can help to build community and collective healing. This presentation included some excerpts from The Man Behind the Curtain and time for Q&A. I’d love to bring this conversation to additional audiences. If you know of an opportunity that might be a good fit, please get in touch and let me know!
On August 17, 2023, my brother Russ Dimino and I held an Author Q&A live on Zoom. Russ published his first book, Spilling My Guts: A Crohn’s Chronicle, about a year after I published mine. Check out the recording below for discussion of our books, our writing processes, self-publishing, and more. We welcome additional questions in the YouTube comments.
On May 22, 2023, Jessica and I were live on air with WXXI’s “Connections with Evan Dawson.” We covered a lot of ground: some of the specifics of Jessica’s story, both in our book and beyond, as well as broader themes including trauma, victim blaming, healing, the US criminal justice system, and so much more. One of our biggest goals with this book has been to generate discussion around topics too often left in shameful silence, and we’re so grateful that this interview is helping to do so and grateful to Evan and producer Megan Mack for the compassionate conversation. Listen here!
Flower Power Magazine showcases “cool sh!t in Rochester, NY” — so how cool is it that their spring 2023 issue features this gorgeous article about our book?! Read about how the Rochester community has helped support Jessica and me in our book journey and thereby in her healing journey. You can read it online or pick up a print copy at Little Shop of Hoarders in Rochester.
I’m excited to have joined the staff at Three Fates Editing! We offer developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, proofreading, manuscript critiques, and beta reading. We specialize in speculative fiction and creative nonfiction, but our interests are wide. Please keep us in mind for your own work or refer your friends our way.
On March 17, 2023, Jessica and I were on air with WGNS Radio in Tennessee to talk about the book, the long-term effects of abuse (especially from childhood), tips for healing and for helping, the importance of delving into difficult conversations, and so much more. Listen here! We’re grateful to host Scott Walker for his thoughtful discussion.
On January 17, 2023, I hosted a Zoom conversation called Trauma, Reclamation, & Healing with my friend Katie Baptist, social worker, sex therapist, feminist, and fellow writer about what ails us, heals us, and defines us. Katie writes the Substack newsletter BEING SEEN and is working on a memoir. We talked about what we’ve learned through our work and took questions from the audience. It was an inspiring conversation about silencing, speaking up, shame, and self-discovery. Watch the recording here:
Inspired by a friend’s generous suggestion, I’m excited to announce our book donation campaign. Please consider purchasing a copy of The Man Behind the Curtain to donate to a place in your community where a new reader can discover it — a library, little free library, school, community center, nonprofit organization, etc.
Get in touch to let me know you’re interested, and I’ll mail you a bookplate sticker to include in your donated copy!
It’s exciting to think of this book continuing to find its way into the world and into new readers’ hands. Thank you!
My first guest spot on a podcast is up! Normal Lies “challenges beliefs you thought were true about you and your world”—making it a perfect fit for talking about The Man Behind the Curtain. “In this conversation, Valerie and Linda discuss how she walked alongside Jessica, using words to bring a light to an impossible story that will leave you angry, frustrated, uncomfortable as well as riveted and hopeful.” I hope you’ll check it out!
I was honored to write a guest blog post for New Shelves, gurus of the publishing industry, sharing takeaways from my first author event. There are tips in here not only for fellow writers but for fellow humans of all types!
Upcoming Author Events
I love connecting with readers and hope to see you soon!
Questions? Want to connect beforehand? Get in touch!
Stay tuned for more events coming soon.
Past Events
It’s been a powerful and often emotional experience discussing The Man Behind the Curtain with readers and hearing about their own stories. For a typical event, I read excerpts from the book, talk a bit about our creative process and the work’s themes, take questions from attendees, and sell and sign books. I’m grateful to these welcoming hosts and thoughtful attendees.
If you’d like to chat about setting up an event, please reach out!
Lift Bridge Book Shop, Brockport, NY
June 9, 2022
Parma Public Library, Hilton, NY
July 12, 2022
Writers & Books, Rochester, NY
October 22, 2022
Pittsford Community Library, Pittsford, NY
November 20, 2022
Hilton Book Guild, Hilton, NY
March 15, 2023
Mendon Public Library, Honeoye Falls, NY
September 25, 2023
Flight Wine Bar, Rochester, NY
Influential Woman “Wine Time” event
October 11, 2023
East Rochester Public Library, East Rochester, NY
October 23, 2023
Rochester Reads Book Festival, Rochester, NY
October 28, 2023
Flight Wine Bar, Rochester, NY
Book club / meet and greet
November 30, 2023
Livonia Public Library, Livonia, NY
February 6, 2024
Valerie Dimino 