KISSING ASPHALT

May 30, 2024

KISSING ASPHALT

Delicia Niami

GENRE: Memoir

Resilience isn’t inherited. It’s a hard-fought skill forged by our ability to pick up the broken pieces of our past and remake them into something new.

Meet four-year-old Delicia, a poor but carefree child who is about to have her world shattered. Along with her seven-year-old brother Nile, she is kidnapped from her Los Angeles home by her estranged father and taken to Iraq, a foreign world she has never known. This is just the beginning of a string of traumas, hardships, and assaults Delicia will endure throughout her tumultuous childhood.

Now an adult living back in California, Delicia Niami bravely recounts how she survived the unimaginable in her debut memoir. Kissing Asphalt, the first in her memoir trilogy, ResilientAF, grapples with the power of resilience, acceptance, and self-love. She revisits her terrifying past with vulnerability, compassion, and the honesty of a true survivor. Hold hands with Delicia as she faces her childhood scars and learns how to confront her fears, accept her true value and identity, and embrace her unique gifts. It’s a multi-decade roller coaster ride that is the beginning of her liberation, propelling her to live an inspired life and embrace her full human potential—a human potential she knows lives inside everyone, no matter what life has thrown at us.

For anyone who has struggled with childhood trauma, Delicia’s unflinching journey through darkness and back to light will resonate. She has decided to share her story publicly in hopes that it will serve as a guide to the many who have suffered in silence and continue to struggle against the daunting weight imposed by childhood trauma.

Enjoy an Excerpt:

The family was celebrating in traditional style; food lavished the tables, and the youngsters were playing around the giant firepit in the backyard. As the night was coming to an end, the celebration began to wind down. Grandmother was telling the kids to “make it happen” in Arabic before going to bed. Encircling the large firepit, the children started blowing. At first, I was perplexed, but everyone looked like they were having so much fun, I wanted to join in.

Very eagerly pushing my way in between my cousin and my brother, I began to blow and laugh, having a good time for once. Suddenly, I felt heat on the right side of my face. I watched as my grandmother bolted up from her chair, screaming in Arabic and running straight for me. By this time, my brother and cousin had backed away. Feeling heat on my head, I hit my hair with my hand, which became hot. I cried as the high-pitched screeches got louder and louder until, after what felt like an eternity, my grandmother finally reached me.

About the Author:

Delicia Niami is an acclaimed memoirist and LGBTQ+ advocate, whose raw and edgy storytelling has touched the hearts of readers worldwide. Residing in Santa Cruz and an alumna of UCSC, Delicia draws inspiration from her own journey of resilience and empowerment. Through her memoirs, she fearlessly addresses topics such as sexual abuse, trauma recovery, and the importance of self-compassion. Delicia's work not only sheds light on difficult experiences but also empowers others to find their voices and embrace their own resilience. Her passion for advocacy shines through in her writing, making her a powerful voice for change and healing in today's world.

Q&A With the Author:

What was your inspiration for writing this book?

I have been told over my lifetime by several psychics to write my story. I never felt ready. It didn’t seem like I had anything positive to share. Until I listened to The Body Keeps The Score By Bessel van der Kolk. I had so many aha moments from this book. For example, I had PTSD for 44 years and hadn’t realized it. I also read about Intermittent Explosive Disorder, which allowed me to see that the times I blew up was not because I was crazy; rather I felt endangered in one way or another.

After reading this book, I knew I had to reach out to Bessel because his book really spoke to me. Within the next three weeks I attended a workshop led by him. It was after this that I realized I did have something to share and it was a positive message. I’d made it through. Not only did I make it through but I’m a very positive, happy and successful person.

When my sister from another mister suggested ResilientAF as the title for Kissing Asphalt. After this, I realized that she was right, I was ResilientAF, so, I decided to call the entire series that instead.

I wrote this book so that I could help others realize that we are all ResilientAF and can make it through anything life throws our way.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

I had a hard time writing this book for the most part as I had to dive deep into dark memories. However, in doing so it was liberating in many ways. I also enjoyed having an immense sense of pride that I set my mind to something and I did it. I’m really excited to get the entire series out so people can have the happy ending.

Do you have any other books you are working on that you can tell us about?

Not My Circus, the second book in the series should be released in July so keep an eye out for the announcement of pre-sale. This book picks up where Kissing Asphalt leaves off. It takes you up to the point where my mother’s murderer is convicted. The Queen of Silver Linings is about three quarters of the way through the rough draft and my ultimate goal is to release the entire series in 2024. This book goes through my healing journey, all of the plant medicines, breathwork, therapy, etc…I have done and continue to do to get to where I am today.

Who is your favorite author and why?

Deepak Chopra. He is an inspiration to me. He has such a positive outlook on life and has really helped me embrace that side of me. His books have helped me through a lot in this lifetime.

Anything more you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Please know that the trigger warnings in my series are real. Many have been triggered by my stories, but it has turned into something positive for them. My PR person once told me that I helped her realize that her little girl needed help and that she was ignoring her. It’s a hard read but I promise you there is bright light at the end of my tunnel and that is the entire point of the series. If I can make it through my life, anyone can make it through. We have to do the work, but it is so worth it in the end.