Newcom to sign copies of “Involuntary Joy”at West Union Library

August 7, 2007
Forest City, Iowa – Joy M. Newcom will sign copies of her memoir, “Involuntary Joy: A Story of Unexpected Rebirth,” at the West Union Library on Friday, Aug. 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. She’ll be joined by her son, Stross, whose life shapes the book’s content.

According to Newcom, “Involuntary Joy” chronicles her first five years as a mother, focusing on thoughts and feelings that went unshared after learning that Stross, now 16 years old, had been born with birth defects. The book is described as “a candidly honest memoir” that addresses issues related to her personal, professional and spiritual identity struggles.

“I began writing essays after Stross was born in 1991,” said Newcom. “After we moved to Forest City two years later, I decided to organize my writings into a book; however, I was still living through much of what has made it into the finalized form.”

Newcom said she worked on the book off and on for more than a decade, and then finished what she recognized as a manuscript four years ago. She didn’t move forward with final revisions and publishing efforts until this past October. “Involuntary Joy,” a soft-cover, 400-page memoir, is a result of those efforts.

“Involuntary Joy” is available at Steege Pharmacy and Union Drug in West Union, The Art Gallery in Clermont, the Red Geranium in Sumner, Moser Family Pharmacy in Elkader, and Bookends and Beans in Decorah. The book is also available on-line at www.involuntaryjoy.com along with other resources and a photo gallery related to the book’s content.

Newcom, who began JoyMark ! Communications in 1993, works as a public relations consultant and also serves as an adjunct instructor at Waldorf College. She is the daughter of Gay and Fran Bowden of West Union and a graduate of North High School.

download PDF »

back to News Releases main page »