Excerpt: Lemonade: Inspired by Actual Events by Bernard L. Dillard

Lemonade: Inspired by Actual Events
by Bernard L. Dillard


Got lemons? Read Lemonade!

After booking his role on The Wire, Bernard Dillard had no idea of the types of doors that would open up for him in the future. Perhaps the most rewarding opportunity he was afforded was the writing of his own memoir.

Nominated for a 2013 Global eBook Award, Lemonade chronicles the gripping story of Bernard Dillard's tenuous journey to manhood. The memoir highlights several challenges that he faces and reverberates as a coming-of-age story, which details his persistence, faith, and triumph as he journeys through the maze of life. Exposed to the goods, the bads, and the uglies of Dillard's world, readers can't help but sympathize with, cheer for, and laugh out loud at a man, who is trying his best to find the most stable path that leads from boy to man.

Written like a novel and presented in bite-sized chapters, Lemonade is indeed a page-turner. Through vulnerability and candor, Dillard exposes wounds that he has held close to the vest over the years. Using modern-day, pop-culture references and side-splitting humor, he confronts serious issues that find themselves at the forefront of national discussion, especially absentee fatherhood, drug addiction, and sexual abuse.

Lemonade also gives women a behind-the-scenes peek at the making of men like Dillard and sheds light on why some men struggle often when it comes to investing in relationships and making them work.

In a nutshell, Dillard stands in life's kitchen, gathers his ingredients, and shows readers what to make when all there seems to be is a basket full of lemons. Hear what others are saying about Lemonade: https://vimeo.com/63838210


Book Excerpt: Lemonade: Inspired by Actual Events

"I grabbed a magazine during the wait and also to keep from having to look at people who walked by my general area. It felt like every eye in that wing of the building was on me. They knew I didn't work there so I had to be visiting for the other reason. Indeed, I was making more out of it because whenever I glanced up, people were minding their own business, not even realizing I was there. What I was feeling was my own sense of paranoia. I was reading some issue in Ebony about how Mo'Nique was on the come-up. I was so enrapt in the article that I hadn't realized that Judge was standing at the door, holding it open, trying to get my attention. 'Bernard!'"

"Hey, Judge. You are Judge, right?"

"Yeah, come on in. That must be a good article, man. I called you about three times."

"Maybe while I'm here, I probably need to get my hearing checked too. It might be wax." We both laughed.

I sat down and just observed my surroundings. To the left were a race track, some Lego pieces, building blocks, and other toys. Sadly, his clientele obviously included little boys who hadn't managed to escape this harsh reality. I started to tear up a little because of this, but thank goodness Judge was one of those whose job it was to intervene and help them gain some sense of normalcy back."

( Continued... )

© 2013 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Bernard Dillard. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher's written permission. Share a link to this page or the author's website if you really like this promotional excerpt.

Read the first five chapters here (click link, then click cover) 


Meet the Author
Hailing from Durham, North Carolina, Bernard Dillard is Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Fashion Institute of Technology. There, he teaches several courses, including Statistical Analysis. In early 2012, his co-authored textbook, Elementary Statistics, was released.

In addition to his scholastic side, Dillard enjoys acting and modeling. He is actively engaged in the auditioning process and continues to pursue significant small- and big-screen roles. He also frequents the speaking circuit, encouraging people to overcome odds they face.  He is single and resides in New York City.


Purchase Lemonade: Inspired by Actual Events
Genre: Inspirational memoir
From Bernard:  http://www.bernarddillard.com/the-author