GREG ARCHER is an author, cultural moderator, award-winning journalist, television host and motivational speaker. His latest book, GRACE REVEALED: A MEMOIR, goes from glitz to the Gulags as the popular entertainment reporter takes a step back from Hollywood to explore his Polish family’s mesmerizing tale surviving Joseph Stalin’s mass deportation of Poles during the 1940s. What he uncovers along the way fuels his mission to not only expose the nearly forgotten odyssey that befell nearly 2 million Poles 75 years ago, but to also expose the ripple effects that remain today.
Excerpt
How had my family served me by example?
As I slipped into the front seat of my very low-resting Mazda Miata, cursing the fact that despite nearly a decade of Bikram Yoga, middle age was beginning to have its way with my Polish hips, I thanked the Universe for the interview. And, seeing that I had arrived at such a dramatic turning point—bored; how could you be bored?—I naturally asked for a sign on what I needed to do.
The broken picture frames flashed before my eyes.
I had been given a sign months ago. How many more signs did I need to receive? The message was clear: “Look at your family; look at their past.”
What? Did I want a much more flashy sign? Something like, “Hey, you’re going to be on the receiving end of buckets of cash if you turn right instead of left at the next traffic light?”
Yes. Yes I did want that sign.
Still, when The Powers That Be instruct you to do something, you must do it. I had avoided doing what I was told and now I was weary, tired, listless and unhappy.
I turned the key in the ignition and sighed in frustration.
How the hell did I get here?
Video
Praise
“Powerful, touching and heartfelt.”—The Huffington Post
Interview
Tell us about your book, what inspired it?
Grace Revealed rose from the depths of my Polish family’s experience during the 1940s. They were among nearly one million other Polish people who were deported to Siberia and sent into labor camps. Growing up, I was always inspired by the family’s survival story, particularly my grandmother’s strength and resolve, and I felt led to write about it. The memoir chronicles my journey uncovering their journey—a kind of David Sedaris meets a Polish Alex Haley if you will.
What is your favorite scene in the book?
There are a few—for the lighthearted, I would say that toward the end of the book, when I am in Poland and going through a series of serendipitous events, that that was indeed fun to write about. For the more serious side, I would say there’s a chapter in the middle of the book which finds my grandmother searching for a loved one’s grave, and how that all unfolds is quite dramatic and moving.
How did you get into writing?
I began writing in grade school, and then in high school, moved into journalism, taking that to college as well. It grew from there.
Do you listen to music when you're writing?
Often—mostly Buddha Bar radio or something trippy or hypnotic like that.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
There are a few more books within me, so a great deal of focus will go toward that.
Have you started your next project?
Yes. The next book revolves around home and place, but there are also works in development—one-man show and a film for Grace Revealed, too.
Any last words?
Last words? Well, I always encourage people to learn more about their family’s past, because, inevitably, it offers an opportunity to learn more about oneself. There’s some richness to be found in exploring one’s ancestry.
Learn more at www.gregarcher.com and www.gracereveaeledbook.com
Thanks...
GREG ARCHER is an author, cultural moderator, award-winning journalist, television host and motivational speaker. His latest book, GRACE REVEALED: A MEMOIR, goes from glitz to the Gulags as the popular entertainment reporter takes a step back from Hollywood to explore his Polish family’s mesmerizing tale surviving Joseph Stalin’s mass deportation of Poles during the 1940s. What he uncovers along the way fuels his mission to not only expose the nearly forgotten odyssey that befell nearly 2 million Poles 75 years ago, but to also expose the ripple effects that remain today.
GREG ARCHER’s work covering agents of change, history, travel and the entertainment industry have appeared in The Huffington Post, Oprah Magazine, San Francisco Examiner, The Advocate, Bust, Palm Springs Life, VIA Magazine, Jetset Extra and on variety of cable television outlets. A four-time recipient of the Best Writer Award in a popular San Francisco Bay Area Readers' Poll, he shines the light on change agents near and far, and other under-reported issues in society. His splits his time between his hometown of Chicago, and Palm Springs.
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Giveaway
Greg will be awarding $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn host.
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