2015 Sarton Women’s Literary Award Finalist - Contemporary Fiction “Part dystopian fiction, part feminist manifesto, P.O.W.ER is an extraordinary example of modern storytelling.” —Sarah Cottrell, Huffington Post In the fractured society of New North, Prime Minister Sandivar uses the power of his office and so-called religious authority to enforce strict gender roles and punishes dissent with chilling efficiency. The despotic rules of the society harm everyone, but especially women. For Andra BetSciviner, this harsh reality leads to a choice between freedom and the loss of her unique ability to reshape reality with her words. As Andra navigates a world where every faction seems to have their own goals for power, she realizes that the answer might lie in the natural and unique ability of women themselves. Together with a growing group of trusted friends (of all genders), she helps build P.O.W. (Power of Women), a clandestine network where women nurture their unique gifts and risk everything for freedom. Together they form bonds of trust and solidarity, even as betrayal lurks in the shadows. For everyone involved, the cost of resistance is steep, but the hope of healing, liberation, and a future where women’s power is no longer hidden drives them forward. In a battle between fear and hope, conformity and rebellion, Andra’s courage and creativity could change not just her own fate, but the fate of an entire world.
Over the years, Lisa A. Kramer (MFA, PhD) discovered the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration as a tool for strengthening all aspects of society. As an educator, theatre director, creativity facilitator, Gateless writing instructor, author, and speaker she built a career on helping others access their inner creative power in order to discover new approaches toward making this a more just, equitable world.
As a recovering academic, Dr. Kramer strives to find relatable and creative ways to share knowledge and understanding with broader audiences both in person and virtually. She does this through Spark Collaborative, a virtual community built so support the creativity in all of us.
Her book Creative Collaborations Through Inclusive Theatre and Community Based Learning won the American Alliance for Theatre Education Distinguished Book Award (2018). Her debut novel P.O.W.er was a finalist for the Sarton Literary Price in Contemporary Fiction.
At the center of this book is the question of who holds power, how people choose to use power, and what happens when power has become corrupted.
I believe this question is also central to the times we live in.
Book Excerpt
P.O.W.ER
“You started something. You inspired me to create messages that would reach women all over New North. You showed me the possibilities that came from women having strength and power that men could not conceive. You made me see the potential of bringing people together to fight against the inequities and cruelty of Sandovar’s rule. It worked. Women have discovered their abilities and are coming forward to strengthen one another. Men have recognized Sandovar’s corruption and the need to join forces with women, rather than keep us under control. You could have been a part of that, but you chose to fight for only one person. You chose power for power’s sake.”
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