Blog from Maine.

This past Saturday, August 15, 2026, was a day I will never forget. At 2:30 p.m., surrounded by friends, family, and members of the community, I had the honor of launching my memoir, Deep Waters: A Memoir of Childhood, Betrayal, & Becoming Whole, at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Maine.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all who came to celebrate this milestone with me. Seeing so many familiar and new faces in the audience filled my heart with joy and affirmed the importance of sharing our stories.
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To each of you who took the time to attend, ask questions, and offer words of encouragement, thank you. Whether you came out of curiosity, to support me, or to connect with the themes of the book, your presence meant the world to me.

A Special Thanks to Curtis Memorial Library
A huge thank you to the Curtis Memorial Library for hosting my event in such a welcoming and supportive environment. Libraries have always been a sanctuary for me, and it felt so fitting to launch Deep Waters in a space dedicated to stories, learning, and community.

Gratitude for the Team Behind the Event
To my family and volunteers who helped make the day run so smoothly—thank you for setting up the space, arranging the refreshments, and ensuring everything was perfect. Your efforts created an atmosphere that was both intimate and celebratory.

Reflecting on the Day
One of the most meaningful parts of the event was hearing from attendees who resonated with the themes of Deep Waters. So many of you shared your own experiences of courage, resilience, and healing, and I was deeply moved by your willingness to connect and open your own hearts.

Another highlight was the Q&A session, where your questions sparked meaningful conversations about storytelling, memory, and the process of becoming whole. I left the event feeling inspired by the sense of community and connection we created together.

Thank You for Supporting My Memoir
To everyone who purchased a copy of Deep Waters, I hope the stories within resonate with you and perhaps even encourage you to reflect on your own journey. For those who weren’t able to attend but have expressed interest, copies are available at Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick, and I hope you’ll find time to read and share your thoughts with me in the future.

Looking Ahead
As I reflect on this incredible day, I am reminded of the dedication in Deep Waters:
“For those who dare to tell their stories, and for those who listen with open hearts…”
Thank you for daring to listen, for showing up, and for celebrating this new chapter with me. I am filled with gratitude for each of you. Here’s to the power of storytelling and the courage it takes to share and connect.
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With immense gratitude,
Nancy E. Randolph

When I reflect on the literary journey that brought me to where I am today, there is one name that stands out in gratitude and admiration: Gary Lawless. As a poet, publisher, and co-owner of Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick, Maine, Gary has been a cornerstone of the literary community, and I am beyond grateful for the support he has shown me—not only as a writer but as someone who has always championed the written word and those who create it.
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The August 15th Event: An Afternoon to Remember
Last week, on August 15th, I had the incredible honor of hosting an event a Curtis Memorial Library to celebrate my latest book. It was a magical evening, and so much of that magic was thanks to Gary Lawless's generosity and thoughtfulness. From the very start, Gary went above and beyond to ensure the event was a success. He not only sold my books but also put in the extra effort to set up the sound system, making sure everyone could hear me clearly.
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One moment that truly touched me was when Gary found a light so I could easily read my notes during the event. It might seem like a small gesture to some, but to me, it was a perfect example of his attentiveness and his unwavering commitment to supporting authors.

Always Championing Writers
What makes Gulf of Maine Books—and Gary—so special is their dedication to showcasing a wide range of voices. For years, Gary has sold books that I’ve published for other writers, and now, seeing my own book on the shelves of his store is a deeply humbling and joyful experience. Gulf of Maine Books stands as a beacon for independent publishing, a place where stories find their readers, and writers are celebrated.

A Legacy of Literary Advocacy
Gary Lawless is more than a bookseller. He is a poet, a publisher, and a fierce advocate for community and creativity. Over the years, through his work at Gulf of Maine Books and his own publishing efforts with Blackberry Books, he has created a space where writers feel supported and readers can discover new worlds. For decades, he has been a champion of voices that might otherwise go unheard, and I am so honored to be among the many authors he has uplifted.

Gratitude Beyond Words
To Gary, Beth Leonard, and the entire Gulf of Maine Books family, I want to say: thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for selling my books. Thank you for taking the time to set up the sound system and the light that guided me through my reading. Thank you for believing in me, in my work, and in the power of words. Your kindness and dedication mean everything to me, and I know countless others feel the same way.

For anyone reading this who hasn’t yet visited Gulf of Maine Books: I encourage you to stop by. It’s more than just a bookstore—it’s a place where stories come to life, where community is built, and where people like Gary Lawless continue to make the world a better, more literary place.
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Here’s to Gary, to Gulf of Maine Books, and to the power of community in the world of books!

The House That Raised Her
Place is a character in Nancy Randolph’s memoir. The crowded, struggling household in Ohio (and for a time in Illinois) establishes the conditions that shape her earliest understandings of safety and danger. Rooms, routines, and unspoken rules around love and violence all contribute to a child's sense of the possible. Randolph’s descriptions make plain how a house can both shelter and confine, teaching behaviors and fears that linger long after someone leaves.

Parents and the Complicated Ties of Love
​Randolph approaches her parents with neither absolution nor vilification. Instead, she holds the difficult truths of contradictory emotions: deep hurt alongside a complicated, often stubborn, filial love. This nuance is crucial. It reflects the reality many survivors face—the need to make peace with the past without erasing the very real damages that occurred. The memoir doesn’t demand readers take sides; it invites them to witness the tangled loyalty and grief that family bonds can create.

Water as Refuge and Teacher
Repeated images of rivers and shorelines serve as more than poetic backdrop. In scenes at the water’s edge, Randolph discovers quiet agency. The shoreline becomes a classroom where she learns patience, the rhythm of breath, and a sense of continuity beyond the household chaos. These recurring settings show how small, consistent places of solace can anchor an individual in ways that formal support structures sometimes do not.

Service and Self-Discovery
Enlisting in the United States Navy is a pivotal movement across place and identity. The Navy provides structure, opportunities for education, and a broader perspective. Moving away from home physically mirrors Randolph’s determination to move away from inherited patterns emotionally. But leaving is not a cure: military service offers both refuge and new challenges that will require integration and ongoing work to support healing.

Ultimately, Deep Waters shows that the places we inhabit and the people we love are inseparable from our stories. Settings shape possibilities; relationships shape patterns. Recognizing that connection is the first step toward making different choices and forging a life that is self-authored rather than inherited.