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Identity of Sikeston author’s pen name revealed at event
SIKESTON — A book swap and unveiling of a Sikeston author who used a pseudonym to write her book took place recently at Carson’s Restaurant in Historic Downtown Sikeston.
During the Sept. 24 event, guests were served wine, cheese, crackers and fruit as well as a cake depicting the cover of the book, “Mother’s Little Alibi” by the author using the pen name, Lydia Constantine.
Everyone in attendance drew a number in order to select a new or gently used book in the swap. The lucky one who received the No. 1 was Carol Largent of Sikeston and was the first to pick from a large selection of novels.
Carole Glenn, owner of Carson’s, conducting the unveiling and announced the real name of Lydia Constantine was Sikeston author, LaDona Benson DeKriek.
There was a table for guests to bring their copies of “Mother’s Little Alibi,” which was first published on Aug. 20, by DeKriek or to purchase a hard copy or paperback from her. This was an opportunity to meet the author and ask questions about the book. The table also had artifacts and pictures from the book’s story and told which chapters readers could locate them in the book, according to DeKriek.
DeKriek spoke to the group about how the book materialized.
“Thirty years ago, I took the papers, dairies and legends of my mother’s and father’s families and wrote 15 chapters of what was to be a private story for my family only,” DeKriek said on her website. “It was a historical adventure for me.
In 2023, after talking to her daughter, DeKriek said she decided to write memories of her childhood from the time she first remembered life at the age of 4 through age 11.
“This was a very traumatic seven years. I added 35 more chapters to the family history,” she said.
In February, not knowing how to go about self-publishing, DeKriek said she attended a program in Florida by a mystery author named Dan Petrosini.
“My intention was to ask him for advice since he was self-published and had written over 30 successful books,” DeKriek said. “Toward the end of his program, he opened up for questions and I asked two. She continued: “Not wanting to dominate his time, I decided to ask other questions when the program was finished. I got in the last of the line to purchase a book and told him I had a few more questions. He asked me if I was writing a book. I told him I was and he wanted to know more about the book.”
After delving into her manuscript, DeKriek said Petrosini told her there was nothing harder to sell than a memoir if the author is not a celebrity.
“Then, he said he still thought I should sell the book to the public instead of just giving it to my family for Christmas,” DeKriek said. “He then offered to help me go through the steps of self-publishing.”
DeKriek said she has taken Petrosini’s advice including marketing her book.
“The book has raised more interest than I expected, and I have lots of marketing work in front of me to sell it,” she said.
DeKriek told those in attendance at the event she appreciated the support of people in Southeast Missouri in bringing her book to a five-star rating on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. She also said she is writing a sequel to her book.
“Everyone had a good time and expressed the desire to have the swap as an annual event,” DeKriek said of the event. “Carson’s is not only a restaurant but have initiated a selection of fun events for the public to participate in. Just follow them on Facebook, and you will find something you would enjoy.”
For example, a lunch and learn with DeKriek for aspiring authors who want to hear more about effective writing and steps to getting published will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Carson’s. The lunch is grilled chicken Caesar salad and an advance ticket purchase of $20 is required.
DeKriek has a website with pictures from the stories in book, where questions can be asked and updates given, which can be viewed at Lydiaconstantine.com.