Inspired by true events, the fictional novel Releasing Me is the story of Meredith Pearson's journey to healing from childhood sexual abuse. The novel begins at the moment Meredith enters the sheriff's department and meets the lead investigator. I had a rush of thoughts. "Because my mother said she was going shopping for antiques. Because she's not leaving him. Because my friend told me that my step-father was cheating on her and I want to give her one more chance to escape. Because the Commonwealth Attorneys' office told me there was no statute of limitations for child abuse. Because I was told you would be the person to help me." Somehow I began a response and the words flowed faster and faster as I described the years of pain that had led me to today's visit. From there, Meredith shares her decade-long process of working through memories, dreams, family dysfunction, and the traumas and joys of life until she eventually finds peace through spiritual insight. Releasing Me helps provide valuable insight into the thoughts, emotions, and experiences that many victims face during their healing process. Beyond that, Releasing Me is relevant to all people who wish to believe that the human spirit can prevail regardless of the circumstances laid out in this life.
Melissa DeDomenico-Payne has spent a lifetime developing her skills as a writer. Before she could even read, she would produce scribbles on a page and "read" the stories to her grandmother. She has been most prolific in writing poetry, but has also written a multitude of essays, research papers, and short stories over the span of her life. Through employment and volunteerism, Melissa has been able to develop writing skills for various business materials including, but not limited to: grants, press releases, policies (personnel, volunteer, and board), marketing materials (brochures, fact pages, etc.), by-laws, articles of incorporation, material for web pages, appeal letters, speeches, curricula and tests for training, client information summaries, meeting minutes, newsletters, and correspondence. Melissa holds a B.A. in English, a B.S. in Psychology, and an M.A. in Psychological Services - Counseling. As an undergraduate at Shenandoah University, she won the distinguished S. Gordden Link Poetry Prize for an unprecedented 3 years in a row. Melissa's first novel, Releasing Me, represents her first concerted attempt at publishing her creative works. The novel is available on Amazon. Melissa was born in New York. With the exception of a brief residency near Nashville, Tennessee, she has lived in various parts of Virginia for most of her life. She has been married to William Payne since 1993 and has a son, daughter, three stepsons, and a large extended family. Melissa has served as Executive Director of three different non-profit organizations in Virginia and also served in Quality Assurance, Grantwriting, and Development positions with other large non-profits. The organizations where she has worked have addressed such complex issues as domestic and sexual violence, child abuse, homelessness, human trafficking, mental illness, disabilities, substance abuse, and child abduction. Following recovery from Urachal cancer, Melissa switched career endeavors. She currently serves as a contracted Director of Development for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Virginia, is completing her Doctorate of Public Administration, and continues to be actively involved in her community. She also anticipates publishing more of her creative works and hopes you will read them and offer constructive feedback!
