About the Author of The Whip, and Why She Rocks – Big Time:
I saw her across the dining room as she greeted all the guests. Was she one of the owner’s family members? She seemed to know everyone. Her face, while exotic and beautiful, was exceedingly friendly. She walked over to our table. And in the way, that only Karen Kondazian can say it, came the most unassuming:
“Hello!”
Behind that one word, were tales you could not even imagine. She shared them with us, evening after evening as my fellow spa-go-er hikers and I sat around gap-jawed like kids around a camp fire. Luciano Pavarotti and Tenessee Williams were counted among her friends. It was incredible. But, resting up from acting was not even why Karen was at the spa. She was there getting ready for her book tour. And thus, one incredible story led to another.
About The Whip
The Whip is a novel about Charlie Parkhurst, a pre Civil War stage coach driver for Wells Fargo. But get this: “Charlie” was born “Charlotte” and lived 30 years of her life as a man. This part of her life began when she set out to avenge the death of her true love: A runaway slave.
Charlie/Charlotte Parkhurst was a real person. Karen is the first to novelize the story and now people in Hollywood are taking a look at her book to make it into a movie.
Karen wants to come visit us – and talk about Charlotte Parkhurst – because she feels so strongly about her and the message she (and he) carried. We want to celebrate that, and her, and all inspirational and brave women. Please join in. Here’s how….
Celebrate Social Justice, Women’s Leadership, and Win. Here’s What To Do by 5pm June 18:
- Want the book? Easy: Like us on Facebook and comment – below – about a person who inspires you, and why.
- Want to win a spot in the class? Come on down! to The Whip book signing 6.18 at 5, Barnes and Noble Union Station for a chance at a free spot in Hot Mommas Project Digital Classroom
You can do one or both.
Why are we doing this?
The Hot Mommas Project and Women Grow Business are celebrating actress / author Karen Kondazian’s June 18th Book Signing in DC at Barnes and Noble, Union Station at 5pm. If you continue to read, you’ll see what an amazing book this is for women and social justice. We’re giving away 10 FREE copies of The Whip for commenters (below) + a free admission to the nationally award-winning Hot Mommas Project Digital Classroom for attendees of the book signing.
……..So curious? Want to learn more? We thought so.
On following your passion
While Charlie/Charlotte Parkhurst is a a case study in fortitude on a number of levels, Karen Kondazian is a case study in following your passion. This story of Parkhurst resonated with Karen on a very deep level. Karen first read an article about Charlie/Charlotte Parkhurst when she was in her 20s. She was living in New York, reading a Cosmo magazine about women of the Wild West. Karen still carries the browned article with her today. Years and years later, after an award-winning acting career, Karen did it. She wrote the book.
She remembers thinking when she was young, “I need to write something about Charlotte Parkhurst someday.” She actually did write a screenplay years ago. It was optioned. But that’s as far as it went. As Karen said, “CBS was not ready for cross-dressing at that time.”
A friend later gave her the idea for a novel, and today, many many yellow legal pads, six years, and 27 drafts later, Karen is the author of a critically-acclaimed novel.
A leader among women. A leader in social justice. An inspiration.
We can see why. The story sticks with you. Parkhurst was a pioneer on so many levels. She transcended gender barriers for one reason, but gave herself economic freedom in so doing.
She transcended racial barriers, and truly serves as an early civil rights role model through her actions. Her travels also take us on an eye-witness journey, at times holding a mirror up to the ignorance and cruelty of others. No sugar coating, just the truth, with Charlotte’s more dignified and evolved actions serving as a point of comparison.
Charlotte is not without her weaknesses. Her life is one of deception, and with that comes choices. We are led through the challenges of the choices she makes. Are they the correct ones? We struggle right along with her.
Ultimately, Charlotte truimphs. The Whip is not only fascinating from a human interest standpoint, it’s fascinating from a human being standpoint. It makes us examine and appreciate what it’s all about. To know someone like Charlie/Charlotte Parkhurst existed – at all – and accomplished what she did is nothing short of inspirational.
ALERT: Language and racial / hate-crime violence – take a deep breath for certain scenes.
REMINDER – To participate – by June 18 @ 5 do this:
- For a chance at a free book: Like us on Facebook and comment – below – about a person who inspires you, and why.
- For a chance at a free spot in the class. Come on down! to The Whip book signing 6.18 at 5, Barnes and Noble Union Station for a chance at a free spot in the Hot Mommas Project Digital Classroom
Again, you can enter both, or one.
WINNERS
#1 10 books will be given away. Submit your inspirational woman before 5:00 pm Monday, June 18. (The email used with your blog post will be used to contact you if chosen as winner. You can download your book immediately and do not have to wait for a shipped copy or show up at the signing to retrieve your copy). Your blog comment may be cross-posted on WomenGrowBusiness.com.
#2 One free spot in the Hot Mommas Project Digital Classroom will be given away on June 18 @ 5pm at The Whip book signing.
- When: Monday, June 18, 5 pm
- Where: B&N Union Station, 50 Mass Ave NE.
- How much: Digital Classroom – A $500 value (now offered at summer intro pricing).
- Who: We’ll all be there. @Tinu of @WGBiz, @ChiefHotMomma of @HotMommasProj, @ChiefHotMomma’s Mom, Aunt. We’ll be peer pressuring @JillFoster. A DC family affair. And…..@KarenKondazian
That’s it….
Now like us, tell us about someone who inspires you and enter to win a free copy of “The Whip.”
Related Links:
NPR Interview with Karen Kondazian
Post your blurb about an inspirational woman here! Book giveaways start manana!
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This is who inspires@BellaVidaLetty on our partner site WomenGrowBusiness.com / @WGBiz
“My grandmother inspired me because she was never afraid to do the right thing and was also the person who taught me to be a storyteller.”
I don’t expect to be included in the contest, as I am running the digital classroom and have already read “The Whip” but want to write about someone inspirational. I am inspired by my sister in law. She is a breast cancer survivor and when I was in business school and thought I had it “really tough,” she showed me what “really tough” was. She not only survived, she went on to be one of the founding members of Young Survival Coalition (YoungSurvival.org). And she’s just awesome, and really funny.
Same comment over on WomenGrowBusiness.com, our partner in promoting @TheWhipNovel
I just left a comment in “The Hot Momma’s Project & Women Grow Business Team Up for Whip Novel Giveaway” http://fyre.it/19aO
No woman inspires me more than Kathy Korman Frey. She had the inspiration for creating a case library of stories of incredible women and the amazing strength and leadership they have shown. She created SIS-U where women can learn about the mentors they need in their lives to support their success. Now she is taking the proven curriculum into cyberspace and offering the Digital Classroom. That will allow women everywhere to join the Hot Momma’s and reap the benefit of knowing Kathy Korman Frey! I’m glad Kathy is the first women recognized…she deserves it!
You are very nice Paul. Humbled. Thank you. And your support… What can I say? Out of this world. Guys like you are the advocates and champions we all need.
You are very nice Paul. Humbled. Thank you. And your support… What can I say? Out of this world guys like you are the advocates and champions we all need.
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From WomenGrowBusiness.
KristinaBrzezinski
My grandma, Mimi, inspires me to live an adventurous life. She taught me since I was very young to seek out new experiences and enjoy the journeys, wherever they may take me. My mom was visiting me this weekend, and once we realized we were lost on a back country road, we both said, “It’s an adventure!” We ended up finding a farmers market with delicious strawberries before we found our destination. I’m thankful that I appreciate and enjoy the little adventures like my mom and I had this weekend to the big adventures like traveling the world and starting a business.
From WomenGrowBusiness.com
ToniaRies
Tinu The Whip sounds like an awesome story – will definitely be checking it out. So many women have inspired me, but I’m going to go with my great grandmother, who taught me how much of an impact you can have on a small child’s life just by the simple act of being there for them. She also instilled a life-long love of gardening and growing my own vegetables, which I attempt to pass on to every small child I meet!
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