Interview with Vernon Ennels Jr., Author of There's Something Your Son Needs To Tell You @byrge_duane #memoir

About the Author

Vernon Ennels grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and now makes Arizona home for he and his family. After a long day at work in the business world…he found that writing his book was most productive in the evening hours sitting by his swimming pool. Vernon holds a BS and an MBA in Business Management.  “I was inspired to write my book thinking of my own six-year-old son,” he asserted.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

Author website: www.vernonennels.com

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/vernon.ennels  

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Vernonennels

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vernonennels/

About the Book:

Title: THERE’S SOMETHING YOUR SON NEEDS TO TELL YOU
Author: Vernon Ennels Jr.
Publisher: Xulon Press
Pages: 140
Genre: Memoir

Page six of Vernon Ennels, Jr. book, THERE’S SOMETHING YOUR SON NEEDS TO TELL YOU, reads, “I still remember his face, his breath, and hear his voice demand me to lie on my stomach. He would down my pants my mother so proudly dressed me in. And then my Superman underwear…When he was done, he walked me to school and warned me, ‘If you tell anyone, I’ll kill your mother.’”

Author Vernon Ennels, Jr. lived with the horrible secret of being sexually abused and ashamed for some 40 years before he was able to recently summon the courage to tell his own family. “Studies show that one in six men have been sexually abused,” said Mr. Ennels. “Most are afraid to talk about it.” 

This book reflects the experiences of males, specifically black males, but encourages both men and women and those from various racial backgrounds to recognize the signs of sexual and mental abuse and to combat the epidemic. “My book,” emphasized Mr. Ennels, “is a mirror of my abuse to shed light on an on-going issue to inspire others to take immediate action when they suspect child sexual abuse. #Saveoursons is my mission to help spread awareness and spark change to save current and future victims of sexual child abuse.”

Forty-something Vernon Ennels, Jr. says his new book THERE’S SOMETHING YOUR SON NEEDS TO TELL YOU  is an “open letter” that prompts other men to step forward and share their very own experiences of child sexual abuse in order to save other young boys from the hands of an abuser.

My moniker ‘Save Our Sons’ encourages discourse and social activism to help boys and men who have been sexually abused,” said Mr. Ennels. “Many, many people believed these victims were lying, making up a story for attention. Since I am a certified ‘non-celebrity’ I wrote my book for every child abuse victim out there who is terrified of stepping forward.”

ORDER YOUR COPY:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ROniJL

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/30fPMzh

Xulon Press: https://bit.ly/2Ns26L6

Q: Thank you so much for this interview, Vernon!  Can you tell us where you are from? 

I was born and raised in Baltimore Maryland but currently resides in Arizona.

Q: How did you come up with your title? 

I was holding a secret from my family for years. The title was driven by my desire to share my story.

Q: They say you can judge a book by its cover.  Can you tell us a little about your cover and who designed it?   

The cover is a reflection of my past and my present life. You will see a younger Vernon and an older Vernon.

Q: Can you tell us something about your book that would make me run out and buy it?   

Honest, raw, and completely vulnerable, There’s Something Your Son Needs to Tell You acts as an open letter that encourages other young men to step forward and share their stories about sexual abuse in hopes that we will save our little boys.

Q: Are there any messages in this book that you want the reader to know about?

At least one and six men have been sexually abused.  And many of them are afraid and ashamed to talk about it. This fear is heightened in the black male community where a stigma persists around sexual abuse and sexual identity that reflects a homophobic and hypermasculine society.

Q: What was your most favorite chapter to write and why?

The chapter about seeking therapy.  On my healing journey, I’ve developed an intimate relationship with God, sought out counseling, and found my voice. I am on a mission to expose sexual abuse where racism has led to toxic masculinity and silence around sexual abuse.

Q: Why did you feel you had to write this book? 

While many victims turn to religion to cope with their trauma, many religious organizations have either perpetuated the abuse or swept it under the rug.

This book uses one experience to shed light on an ongoing issue and inspires others to take immediate action.

Q:  Now, some fun questions - What deep dark secret would you like to share with us?   

At six-years-old, one young boy’s life changes forever…There’s Something Your Son Needs to Tell You is a compelling autobiography detailing childhood trauma. Against the backdrop of a hypermasculine and religious upbringing, this exhilarating true-life story details anger, resentment, relationships, illness, and reflects the psychology of many young males who have become silent about sexual abuse.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I would travel to Africa. Would love to explore this continent.

Q: Are you a morning person or a night person?

I’m a night person. 

Q: Are there any members in your family who also like to write? 

This book is about my family.

Q: As a child, were you a dreamer? 

Yes, I loved to dream.

Q: Last but not least, the magic genie has granted you one wish.  What would that be? 

To develop the cure for healing all diseases.

Q: Thank you so much for this interview! Do you have any final words?

There’s Something Your Son Needs to Tell You is more than a book; it is a movement.

Inspired by #MeToo and Black Lives Matter, “Save Our Sons” encourages discourse and social activism to help boys and men who have been victims of sexual abuse.

This movement examines the intersectionality between race, class, gender, and religion. And acknowledges the silence around sexual abuse, specifically how it persists in traditional black households and how that puts black boys at higher risks of sexual abuse and/or from speaking out about it.

In addition to the book, There’s Something Your Son Needs to Tell You, being a vulnerable autobiography, it contains open letters from other young men who have similar traumatic experiences.

The goal is to encourage more boys and men to share their stories in hopes that we can shed light on this epidemic.

#Saveoursons will help spread awareness and spark change.