October 8, 2020

Meet Sabriyah Richardson of Author of When the Sun disappeared in Charleston

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabriyah Richardson.

Sabriyah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m Sabriyah Richardson, I am a junior Psychology major at the College of Charleston here in Charleston, South Carolina however I was born in Atlanta, Georgia and spent nine years living in Olathe, Kansas. The summer of 2016 before my junior year of high school I was just starting to think of life after high school when my entire world got flipped upside down. That Summer of 2016 one of my best friends had unexpectedly and tragically committed suicide. The community was completely devastated since he was a great student, athlete and friend we all loved him. His death catapulted me into my own newfound struggles of depression and anxiety. As time has passed I have made my focus turning this pain into purpose, this book is the first big step. “When the Sun disappeared” is a YA fiction novel based off of the true story, my story. The book is a recollection of memories from a 16 year old young black girl in her very suburban town who has just lost her best guy friend, one of the few other black kids at school. It goes through her experiences of grief, trauma, therapy and healing.

I wanted to share my story with others in hopes it might help someone, since suicide is often a “taboo” topic so many people affected by it have to deal with it in silence. Not anymore. I’m pursuing this psychology degree to go onto becoming a child grief & trauma counselor, alongside being a suicide prevention advocate especially amongst African- American youth. Mental health and suicide are especially taboo amongst communities of color and I have experienced firsthand how dangerous it is when the topic is left unaddressed.

Has it been a smooth road?
I would have to say this has been anything but a smooth road. My writing process and my grieving process were intertwined. The book started as an assignment from my therapist, I was to journal my thoughts and emotions in between therapy sessions and bring it in and discuss it. So some parts of the book were written all the way back in 2016, some was written in 2018, so on and so forth. It was hard having to go back and re-read some of those parts, it was hard continuing to push forward writing, it was hard to constantly reopen the wound but I’m glad I did it.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Author of When the Sun disappeared – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
When the Sun disappeared is a Young Adult Fiction Novel that gives a more raw, firsthand, emotional account of what life is honestly like after losing a loved one to suicide.

Life is a endless party for Rainey Rich, the sixteen year old lives a rather glamorous life in the small suburban town of Silver Roads, Kansas she had it made, great family, great friends , great school everything is sunshine and rainbows headed into the summer. That is until the sudden and unexpected passing of one of her best friends Sonny Clark rattles the Silver Roads community and leaves a permanent gray cloud over Rainey’s head. Rainey now finds herself trying to honor Sonny’s legacy, navigate her own personal relationships all while dealing with her own healing process and dwindling mental health. With the help of her family, friends and newfound therapist Rainey navigates this difficult process all while trying to make her way out of the clouds and darkness Sonny’s death has left her in, she’s left constantly questioning will she ever see the sun again?

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love Charleston because it is a beautiful city, with amazing restaurants, attractions and has plenty of pretty outdoor settings. However the history of Charleston is very deeply intertwined with slavery and racism, the city is also one of the fastest growing cities for gentrification.

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