Author comes full circle with new book
● Publication to be introduced at Korsten Library where O’Reilly Campbell found solace as a youngster
After the Korsten Library became a source of solace from the social ills plaguing her northern areas community as a youngster, Eurica O’Reilly Campbell will soon launch her first book at the same venue.
The early experiences shaped a Christian outlook in the first-time author and later led her on an unexpected path.
On September 1 2021, the 50-year-old put pen to paper to craft her first piece of literary work, a poem titled Spring.
Several more followed, and in December last year, her first Christian poetry book — A Psalter of Devotion — came through the printing press.
In a full-circle moment, the now-published author will on January 25 launch her maiden publication where it all began
“The library was a sanctuary for me,” the David Livingstone High alumna said.
“I helped, studied and did my homework there.
“The library was an important facet of my life growing up.”
While becoming a published author was a farfetched idea for O’Reilly Campbell then, she said her lived experiences provided substance and value in her writing.
“I was abused as a child and raped by a close friend in matric in 1992,” she said.
“My husband left for 14 years, less than a year into our marriage.
“God said I must take him back, and for the last five years, he has been part of my life again.”
A Psalter of Devotion, comprising 25 inspirational poems, is a complete and comprehensive first-hand insight into the struggles and triumphs of women from all walks of life.
“The verses perfectly express God’s empowering vision for women.
“They identify with the broken, ostracised and rejected women of the Bible, whose lives were transformed when they encountered Jesus.
“A beautiful collection of Christian poetry and prose inspired by the Word of God, it aims to empower, inspire and restore women from all walks of life.”
The quality technician at Shatterprufe attributed the creative process of writing the book as a gift from God in answer to a solemn prayer.
“Three years ago, I asked the Lord for the gift of David — that of writing poetry.
“The gift manifested months after, and I wrote my first poem.
‘Since then, it just flowed. “Once I had written more over the years, I thought, ‘Why not publish this?’
The book was published by Haroldene Le Roux Tshienda at Shofar Books, putting a stamp on an incredible life’s journey for the mother of two.
O’Reilly Campbell also recently completed her first year of a ministerial course at Christian Academy Port Elizabeth.
“God gave me a mandate to lift women,” she said.
“But not only women, yet it appears [to me] He mostly is directing me to uplift women in our communities.
“I have another book in the works.
“I have sent my memoir, called Save the Pieces, to my publisher.
“The bug that bit is now part of my life, and it won’t stop.
“Writing is who I am at the moment.”