A Memoir of Loss, Escape, and Renewal
Memoir
Date Published: June 11, 2025
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
How does a young woman cope when she cannot speak the truth?
When nineteen-year-old Lenore experiences sexual assault while studying
abroad in Italy, her entire world shifts. Survival becomes the focus of her
daily life, physical illness grabs control of her body, and no one can free
her from her pain. A ghost of herself, she takes the path of denial,
believing it’s the only way to protect her loved ones and herself from
her harsh reality.
On her journey toward peace, she assumes the expected roles of mother and
wife, but a traumatic diagnosis puts her at a crossroads. She must start
living the life she wants or roam her days as a victim in the chaos of fear.
Lenore’s escape through travel allows her to reconcile the
imprisonment she’s suffered over the years.
However, when another family tragedy strikes, Lenore understands she must
finally come to terms with the silence she’s kept. But what if one
incident that happened decades ago is too destructive, too deep to be
excavated? Will she be able to find herself in the rubble? Or will she be
lost forever?
Interview
Can you tell us a little about the process of getting this book published? How did you come up with the idea and how did you start?
Well, I am a travel writer, and I had lots of personal stories to collect into a book. So I took a memoir class, and my book ended up with a whole other story. I came up with the idea after a homework assignment, to write about the toughest thing that you could ever write about. Then, you’ll do your very best writing.
So I thought, “Well, I'm a professional writer, I can do this.” But I hit a wall and realized exactly what I had to write about. That “toughest thing” was something I never spoke about, something my husband never spoke about, something that my kids didn't even know about. So I to write and that turned into Shattered Compass.
As for the process of publishing, a huge part of it was joining the writing community in my city. I joined San Diego Writers Ink, writing critique groups, and other writer’s associations, such as the International Memoir Writers Association. I attended lots of events and classes, and began to network a lot. I met lots of writers who had books published, so, I thought, “Oh, I've got to hang around these people.” That’s how I learned about the different avenues of publishing that might work or not work for me.
I had heard good things about Acorn Publishing; I emailed and then spoke with the founder, who I really liked. During contract negotiations, I had a literary lawyer advise me, which was very helpful and that I highly recommend. My first book was a Las Vegas guidebook, and I should’ve gotten legal advice back then. So I knew I’d get the deal that worked best for me. And here I am.
What surprised you most about getting your book published?
That so many people are coming up to me, saying, “I heard about your book, and I can't wait to read it.” I find that very rewarding because, for years, I worked alone in my home office. Then, I spent many months working with my editor. So, all that hard work was paying off. And it feels so rewarding.
Tell us a little about what you do when you aren’t writing.
Well, I love to travel, of course. And practice my language skills; I speak Italian, can be dangerous in Spanish, and French is kicking my butt. I just got back from Paris where I murdered that language all over town. I love visiting art museums and making art myself as a photographer and a painter. I love watching movies, especially foreign films. I love the beach and going kayaking.
As a published author, what would you say was the most pivotal point of your writing life?
That moment when I decided to just go for it, write the book, and do my damnedest to publish it.
I was holding myself back from finishing the book, which I think is very common for us writers. Don't ever beat yourself up about that. You're laying your life on the page, which feels very vulnerable.
Also, choosing to get valuable feedback on my writing from mentors, and teachers. You may think that what you wrote was great until someone shows you all the mistakes they found. Or that my writing made sense to me, but to a reader, it was confusing. And the feedback I took in was very pivotal. You can use or not use it, which is your prerogative as a writer.
Where do you get your best ideas and why do you think that is?
By exposing myself to as many creative outlets, as many inspiring places as I can. I get my best ideas by seeking out books, movies, experiences, talking to people, traveling to new places, learning new languages, reading my old journals, writing in a new journal, taking photographs, being around water. All of it is fodder for distilling into great writing.
Why do I think that is? Because as writers, we're artists who work with words, not paint brushes. We are creatives living creative lives. We’ve got ideas to capture and then discover if any will work. This idea was a game changer for me; it gave me the permission to go for it and write my book.
What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
That I don't listen. That I don’t conjugate English verbs well. That nobody wants to read what I’ve written. That I talk too much. So I had to relearn a lot of behaviors. And if you're a writer, you must grow a hard shell, take a lot of criticism, and then, don’t take it personally. At the end of the day, I always make the decision whether I wanted to accept the feedback or not.
What has been your best accomplishment as a writer?
I’d have to say getting Shattered Compass published. It was a difficult book to write while exploring the lonely 19-year-old student I had been, living alone in Italy. Plus, writing about how I survived the worst thing that could have happened to me.
I've come through the fire, and I had to share my experience. I figure if one young woman or young man reads about what had happened to me and avoids the same pain, then, I, as a writer, have done my job.
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
Oh, good question. I did publish a guidebook on Las Vegas a few years ago, an offer I couldn't refuse from a publisher. I also have an unfinished novel from years ago and a couple of half-finished books on travel writing. But other than that, I didn't really concentrate on books. I really loved writing short nonfiction as a travel writer. Yet, those half-finished novels and books will turn into something, someday. As the insightful Nora Ephron said, everything is copy.
About the Author
Award-winning travel writer Lenore Greiner grew up in Marin County where,
at thirteen, she began her writing journey as a lifelong journal
keeper.
At nineteen, her passion for adventure led her to Italy’s heart to
study at the University for Foreigners in Perugia and immerse herself in the
language and culture. There, the seeds of her memoir were sown.
Lenore has garnered eight prestigious Solas Awards for Best Travel Writing
and was honored in Best American Travel Writing 2013, edited by Elizabeth
Gilbert. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Fodor’s
travel guides, and three volumes of Shaking the Tree, an annual anthology
curated by the International Memoir Writers
Association.
A graduate of UC Davis, Lenore married her college sweetheart, and they now
call Southern California home. They share two kids, two kayaks, and too many
rambunctious grandkids.
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This looks like a great read. Thanks for sharing.
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