Dawn Vaz-Green (seated) listens with mild amusement as Blossom O'Meally Nelson speaks at the launch of Vaz-Green's book 'A Passage Through the Valley of Death', at Temple of Light, Fairway Avenue, on Saturday, April 14. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

A six-pack is normally associated with washboard stomachs or packages of the 'beering' kind. However, on Saturday evening Dawn Vaz-Green made the six-pack literally applicable to literature, as she presented a half-dozen of her publications simultaneously.

Impressed by versatility

Guest speaker Dr. Blossom O'Meally Nelson, in a humorous address to those gathered at the Temple of Light, Church of Religious Science in New Kingston, pointed out that the six books cover a range of topics, saying "I have been so impressed by the versatility of the author". She said 'Ghetto Fabulous' was true, with "all the ridiculous things" women do, while Trust Your Journey is a book of hope. O'Meally-Nelson pointed out that The Magician and the Mouse is "an engaging fantasy. It takes on deep questions about the meaning of life" and questioned "where would we be without Ruby's Hamwalk?"

"It is a successful effort to preserve a vital piece of our past," she said about Ruby's Hamwalk.

And she classified Thoughts that Zing as "a thought-provoking piece of self-expression".

When she spoke, Vaz-Green pointed out the sixth book being launched that night in a function chaired by Carol Campbell, A Passage Through the Valley of Death, was not exactly new, but it had not been given a proper launch previously.

"I wanted six, because I move into a new and exciting era, my 60th birthday, tomorrow (Sunday)," Vaz-Green said. "It is not retiring, but putting on new tyres and hitting the road on the move. I expect the next decade to be equally good, becauseI have on damn good tyres."

It could also have been seven books, as there is also one written with a granddaughter.

Vaz-Green pointed out that before starting Thoughts That Zing "I had never written poetry before in my life."

There were readings from the books and input from Vaz-Green's husband, Desmond, before O'Meally Nelson spoke. He said "What Dawn has written has come from the soul. It is a level of inspiration that you would have had to see." And Vaz-Green pointed out that her husband had had some input in the books, suggesting a word here and there, as well as being the original teller of the tale the character Bagee told in Ruby's Hamwalk.

And O'Meally Nelson termed the launch a celebration of persistence, courage and vision. "Dawn has been a dreamer of the day and today we come to celebrate the fruits of her dream. Many of us don't dream. And many of us have given up on our dreams, Dawn, you have continued with your dream," O'Meally Nelson said.