A New Genre of Fiction: Sharon Denise Allison-Ottey Introduces "All I Ever Did Was Love A Man"

A New Genre of Fiction: Sharon Denise Allison-Ottey Introduces “All I Ever Did Was Love A Man”

An Educational and Fictional Novel about HIV/AIDS Launching the “Get it Done!” Campaign

Contact: Denise Smith 301 773 4811


WASHINGTON, D.C., January 24, 2006—“All I Ever Did Was Love a Man” is a love story
with a powerful message. The novel takes the reader through a woman’s lifelong
search for love and the continual failures that she encounters in her search. The
heroine, Sabrena, is torn between her need to take care of her two daughters following
her recent divorce and her desire to be loved by a man. This is a story of betrayal, pain,
love, loss and triumph infused with intrigue and mystery as she searches to find the source
of her most daunting challenge.

“All I Ever Did Was Love a Man” is so much more than the typical love story. This story
has an underlying health message that grabs the reader and runs throughout the novel
without ever becoming a traditional health book. “I didn’t want to write a health
book—very few people read health books from cover to cover. I wanted to write a
novel that was fun, captivating and held your interest but snuck the health message
on you and once trapped would spur you to read more,” says the author, Sharon
Allison-Ottey of the novel and this new genre. Readers learn about HIV/AIDS by watching
Sabrena’s life from her emotional diagnosis, her gripping prayers for mercy and healing,
her guilt and shame, her disdain for medications, her need to live for her daughters and
her continued need for love. The book puts issues that are never discussed on the table
such as sexuality post diagnosis, the role of a friend and family dynamics.

The messages that are conveyed break down the stereotypes that we continue to
cling to about HIV/AIDS including the “face” of the persons diagnosed.  This book
gives not only the reader a view of the main character in dealing with her diagnosis;
you look at her friends, her family and yes—her lover.  The story is rich with emotions
and stands as a fiction novel that merits reading by all age groups and lovers of the
romance genre. The health message in the story demands national attention by the
young and old.  The author cleverly inserts a personal letter to each of her readers
at the end of the story which demands increased personal attention to HIV/AIDS. 
Further, the final pages are full of health information, statistics on HIV/AIDS and
general health tools that can be used no matter what the diagnosis or condition
by all persons. Sharon Allison-Ottey says her novel as “fiction with a purpose”
carrying a message that can be easily understood without bogging the reader down
in medical “mumbo jumbo”. The author is introducing a new genre to the world of
fiction; one that both entertains and teaches in a way that is unique and impactful.

In conjunction with the book launch, The COSHAR Foundation is launching the “Get
It Done!” campaign. “Get It Done!” will work to develop a national cohesive coalition
that will strategize on the most effective response to HIV/AIDS in women, particularly
women of color, in the U.S. and territories.  The campaign focus is on collaboration to
“Get It Done;” “It” refers to Awareness, Testing, and Treatment for HIV/AIDS. While
there are numerous organizations that are working in the area of HIV/AIDS and making
a significant difference, the statistics remain concerning and require more effort to
decrease the incidence, morbidity and mortality of the disease.  The COSHAR Foundation
is committed to this endeavor by fostering collaboration, increased visibility as well as
forging new partnerships.  The campaign will bring together various organizations including
faith based organizations, healthcare organizations, the pharmaceutical industry, foundations
and both profit and non-profit organizations together for a collective cause. The first
taskforce meeting for the campaign is slated for February 2006.

About Sharon Denise Allison-Ottey: Sharon Allison-Ottey is a frequently requested
and dynamic speaker and has appeared on numerous television and radio shows.
She has been interviewed and/or cited by a host of media venues including USA
Today, the Wall Street Journal, Black Entertainment Television (BET), Redbook,
Jet, Heart and Soul, Essence, and Gospel Today magazine to name a few. Sharon
Allison-Ottey continues to make an impact wherever she goes and welcomes the
opportunity for you to look inside the world of her first heroine, Sabrena, and
join the “Get It Done” campaign.  She also serves as Director of Health and
Community Initiatives at The COSHAR Foundation, a non profit organization
committed to the health of this nation.

About COSHAR Foundation: The COSHAR Foundation Inc. is a non-profit 501c 3
organization focusing on the major healthcare issues facing the nation. The
foundation is organized to address health with a particular interest in health
disparities in the United States and around the world.

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