Apology, and Clarification

Hi everyone – I am writing to share my writing partner’s message, below, and to add a clarification.

From my America’s First Daughter writing partner, Stephanie Dray:

When I decided to write a mainstream historical fiction book about Thomas Jefferson’s daughter Patsy, it was in part, because of my continued frustration with people in our country who refuse to believe, even with DNA evidence, that Thomas Jefferson initiated sex with his slave, Sally Hemings, most probably when she was fifteen.

It has been my ambition, from start to finish with this project, to shed light on the devastation of slavery–a devastation that became more and more evident as we researched. And to make clear that the scars of that devastation are still evident today in our politics and our culture.

Racial justice is something that I feel deeply about. Something that I think deeply about.

But apparently not deeply enough.

Because after editing this book, I made a joke–which I won’t repeat in the interest of not offering new offense–thinking I was mocking our culture’s casual acceptance of women’s lack of consent in sexual circumstances.

Instead, I hurt people and sent a message that goes against everything that I’m about. It undercut what I’m trying to accomplish with my work. And with my life.

I’m a writer; it’s my job to pay attention to what my words are actually communicating. And I’m bitterly disappointed in myself for communicating in any way that would trivialize the very matters I feel most passionately about.

To that end, the post has been removed. I would like to extend my heartfelt apology. And I thank those of you who made me take a hard look at this.

I was wrong.

It will not happen again.

I stand with Stephanie in apologizing for the pain my words caused in all of this. I was insensitive, unthinking, and hurtful, and for that I truly apologize. I am a rape survivor, so I am disappointed in myself for doing something that trivializes or makes light of rape, intentionally or not. 

For the purposes of the clarification that has been requested on social media, please let me also offer the following:

America’s First Daughter is a straight historical fiction that offers a sweeping treatment of Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph’s life from dutiful daughter traveling at her diplomat father’s side to First Lady during her father’s presidency to mistress of the iconic Monticello.
There is a paranormal BDSM short story currently for sale on Amazon involving Jefferson and Sally Hemings. That is not our book and we are not affiliated with it in any way.
We do not plan, nor have we ever planned, any BDSM story about Thomas Jefferson.

I, too, was wrong. And I apologize for the harm I have caused.

Sincerely,

Laura