Hatter Joe Miller received ample support since the publication of his autobiography in 2020 from family members, like wife Beryl, and friends, however an upcoming book signing at the Medicine Hat Public Library is his first chance to connect with community supporters.--NEWS PHOTO KENDALL KING
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Local author Joe Miller is looking forward to connecting with Hatters face to face this weekend during his long-overdue book signing.
Miller published the first of multiple books detailing his life story in late 2020, but was unable to hold a book signing due to the pandemic.
“I did many interviews, but not a book signing,” Miller told the News. “A lot of people have bought it through Amazon and they often say to me when they meet me, ‘We’ve got to get you to sign this book’ (so) I’m looking forward (to the signing).”
The book, titled Who I Am: A Little Book of Hope, follows Miller from childhood to early adulthood. Just over 200 pages in length, the book begins in India, where Miller was born to a young Bengali mother and European serviceman father. A product of wedlock, Miller’s mother relinquished her parental rights shortly after his birth.
At first, Miller lived with a family friend who had several children, however the cost of another child was too much for the friend and Miller was put up for adoption.
The next 10 years of Miller’s life were turbulent as he moved from a private household – where he worked as a child servant – to an orphanage in Culcutta, to the streets of various cities. Eventually, Miller was taken in by an English serviceman stationed in India and, following the end of the Second World War, sponsored his immigration to England at the age of 10.
The book reflects on Miller’s experiences following his arrival in England – including schooling, post-war scarcity, marriage, the birth of his first child, etc. – and how he managed to remain hopeful through it all.
“That’s the main theme (of the book),” said Miller. “‘Don’t give up; you’ve got to think positive.’ It’s a message of hope. I never gave up. When you’re on the streets, you don’t give up because if you give up, you’re dead. So, I want to encourage people not to give up and just keep people going. There’s always something around the corner.”
Over the two years since the book’s publication, Miller says he’s been approached numerous times by people who have read tit, and he always enjoys discussing it with them.
“You see, I love people,” he said. “And I want to encourage people to keep going.”
Miller hopes to meet more people at his upcoming book signing, taking place Saturday from 2-3 p.m. at the Medicine Hat Public Library.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase. Who I Am: A Little Book of Hope is also available on Amazon.ca as a paperback or Kindle eBook.
