Palatka Physician's Debut Novel Wins Royal Palm Literary Award

By Rachel M. Anderson, Contributing Writer

(Palatka, FL – Anyone who has ever dealt with substance abuse, whether directly or by observing a friend or loved one go through it, knows that it is not an easy journey. For Sarah Mackenzie, the main character in M.A. Robinson’s award-winning debut novel, “Seeking Sarah,” it is a path she was destined to travel.

Sarah’s mother had taught her early on that getting drunk was an easy way to escape one’s problems. Turns out escape is the only way Sarah can deal with the abuse she has endured at the hands of pretty much every man she has been foolish enough to trust.

According to the American Addiction Centers, scientists have found a 50 percent chance of people being predisposed to alcohol misuse if someone in their family has a history of it.

Throughout her career, first as a nephrologist, and later as a palliative care provider, Robinson, who is now retired and lives in Palatka, Florida, spent a lot of time working with alcoholics. “Alcoholics are very difficult to deal with,” she said. “Many of them got into substance abuse because of the trauma in their early lives. Trauma that is very hard to address for them.”

It was seeing that pattern over-and-over again during her professional career that led Robinson to want to write a novel involving characters living with alcoholism. “I made a decision early on to approach it from a place of compassion and sympathy, not judgment,” said Robinson.

Throughout the book, Robinson reveals hints from Sarah’s past that led her on the path she was on. She does it by telling the story from multiple points of view: from Sarah’s, from Sarah’s husband, Don’s, and from the reincarnated soul of a newborn baby.

“I originally planned to go with an omniscient narrator point of view, but realized right away the soul had to come from somewhere—some life that was probably very interesting,” said Robinson.

“Seeking Sarah” is the story of a man who discovers after his wife dies that he didn’t really understand what drove her. Desperate to learn why she became an alcoholic, he goes in search of what happened in her life to make her into the person she was. Along the way, he discovers a lot of things that are shocking and surprising to him.

Robinson says “Seeking Sarah” is also the story of Sarah’s soul, as it makes its own journey into the future, and about how life can break us down and grief can take us apart. But by confronting these aches, we can find a path to redemption, rebirth, and a brighter tomorrow.

The book won a silver medal in the Florida Writers Association’s 2024 Royal Palm Literary Awards in the mainstream or literary category, and it has earned numerous five-star reviews on Amazon.com, including one from Jaimie Engle that calls it “a beautiful book. The truth in the narrative expresses life, loving an addict and all the shades of love between. I was moved by the powerful, simple plot, and how it pushes this man to unmask the woman he loved, only to discover a deeper more profound love for her as she carried the burden of what caused her addiction. At one point, I was so emotional I had to pause and come back to the book. And it wasn’t because of emotions that were stirred up, it was because of the beauty and elegance of this journey. So glad I read it,” she said.

“This story is full of ups and downs of the grieving process. How we all deal with grief is different as are our views of what happens to us when we die. Seeking Sarah shows the reader a view of life and death that may be new to them but give them plenty of reasons to smile. ‘Seeking Sarah’ is time well spent,” said Linda C. Wright.

“Wonderful book! I loved the main characters- they really touched my heart and became like close friends. Will definitely be looking for another from this author,” said Dawn Logas.

“Seeking Sarah: A Novel,” was published by Beaver’s Pond Press in 2023. The book is available for purchase directly through the distributor, Itasca Books, as well as through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It is available in both paperback and eBook formats.

About the Author

M. A. Robinson brings her experience as a physician to her writing, resulting in a riveting and emotionally resonant debut novel. “Seeking Sarah” is the story of a man who is trying to understand what made his wife into the person she was after she dies, and of his wife’s soul as it travels its own journey into the future.

Robinson credits The Paramount Center for the Arts in St. Cloud’s Memoir Writing Camp with Lisa Meyers McClintick for helping her learn how to craft a great story.

Originally from a small town in Indiana, Robinson now splits her time between the town of Walker in north central Minnesota and Palatka in northern Florida. When she is not glued to her keyboard, Robinson enjoys hiking with her dogs, kayaking the lakes and rivers, practicing yoga, gardening, and sharing good dinners with great friends.

Still passionate about improving patient care, she volunteers on the board of directors for two nonprofit organizations: one dedicated to advance care planning and the other to improving dementia care.

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