A Mother's Inspiration to Birth a Book

Mouth Shut Head Down releases on January 28, 2026. I've learned so much since I signed with Angel Ackerman at Parisian Phoenix. I'm grateful for her support, her knowledge, and the wonderful people I met within her publishing circle.

The summer before my mother died in September 2024, Mom looked intently at me and wagged her 94 year-old finger. "Don't give up, Gerri. Keep going."

Mom never got to know Angel or how my heart did a flip when I read her acceptance email on Mother's Day 2025. I wish Mom were here, we'd share a good thing—the realization that something you thought would never happen is actually happening.

Instead of feeling sad because Mom never got to see the birth of this book, I savor the idea of creating something from nothing and delight in the inspiration she gifted me.

And plan a party.

A party is a good place to honor your mother's inspiration.

As she aged, many people would ask Mom how she raised thirteen children in Philadelphia with only extra- strength Tylenol gels and the occasional Tums.

Her answer became a mantra: "Serve the Lord and do good for others."

Mouth Shut Head Down is a YA novel about domestic sex trafficking of minors in the United States. With six years of research and over twenty years as an educator, I wrote this novel to educate minors, their parents, and guardians. It is an accurate depiction of the "Romeo" trafficker. Tweens and teens must give a name to abusive behaviors in order to protect themselves and walk away. I hope my novel starts a conversation so they can reach out for help while it is happening in the target stage, before the trapped stage, of trafficking.

I told Mom, "It's dark. People may not want to read it."

"Purity of intention, Gerri. You wrote it with the intention of helping others, shedding light on evil. That's a good reason to write a book."

I hope you will take the time to read my book, recommend it to others, and be part of the conversation on how we can help those trapped in domestic sex trafficking.

Not-giving-up is a very good thing.

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