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Bio
Short
Michael Clark is the founder and Executive Director of the Ananias Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending domestic violence and abuse at its source by supporting those who have caused harm. Through his work, Michael has engaged with thousands of individuals seeking to break free from abusive patterns, listening to their stories, understanding their struggles, and guiding them toward positive transformation.
Longer
Michael Clark is the founder and Executive Director of the Ananias Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to ending domestic violence at its root, by working with those who have caused harm. Through the foundation, Michael has supported thousands of individuals seeking to break free from abusive behaviors, offering guidance, and hope for change.
What makes Michael’s voice distinct is the depth of personal experience he brings to his work. A former domestic violence offender himself, he has walked the difficult road of transformation. Today, he writes, speaks, and leads from that hard-won perspective, helping others understand the mindset behind abuse, and how real, lasting change is possible.
He is the author of From Villain to Hero, a candid and powerful memoir that traces his journey from being abusive to becoming a safe and emotionally healthy partner. His writing is marked by honesty, compassion, and a deep understanding of the internal and relational dynamics at play in abusive relationships.
Possible Interview Questions
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What inspired you to write this novel?
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How many different types of domestic violence are described in The Truth About You?
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Artificial intelligence seems to be all the rage right now. Did you use AI to write or help write this book?
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You wrote another book, From Villain to Hero, which you describe as part memoir and part self-help. How was writing fiction different from writing non-fiction, like your previous book?
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From Villain to Hero had a chapter called The God Factor, and you often include references to Christian principles in your writing. Is The Truth About You Christian fiction?
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How would you describe the characters in the book? Is there any character in particular that you think readers will enjoy? Is there a character you relate most to?
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How long did it take to write The Truth About You?
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Is there anything about the writing process you didn’t liken or that you found difficult?
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You included some author notes at the end which talk factually about domestic violence. Why did you add that?
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You said earlier that you got push-back from editors. Tell us more about that.
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Did you ever get discouraged or struggle with writer’s block? If so, how did you get over it?
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The book does not have a happy ending. Why did you write it this way?
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Are there other books you’re planning to write? If so, what might those be about?
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There’s a subplot in the book about a dog’s bad behavior and how it is handled. How did you come up with that storyline, and what should readers take away from it?
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Who is the audience for this book?
Book Info
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The Truth About You
You'll never view domestic violence the same way again.
Literary fiction – social issues; Dark literary fiction
August 15, 2025
979-8-218-74869-2
294
Paperback, ebook, Audible (coming soon)
Wherever you buy books!
Back Cover Blurb
You think you know what abusive relationships look like, until you see it for yourself.
When Lucy and Meg’s mother is assaulted by her husband, stepfather Greg, his arrest seems to mark the end of a nightmare. But when their mother chooses to stay with him, the sisters are thrust into a disturbing moral dilemma.
Desperate to protect her, they take a drastic step: secretly install hidden cameras to capture the truth for themselves—and the rest of the world. What unfolds isn’t what Lucy expected.
Told with emotional clarity and literary depth, The Truth About You probes the unsettling gap between what we’re taught to believe and the evidence. As Lucy grapples with conflicting narratives of abuse, loyalty, and manipulation, she’s forced to question not only her mother and stepfather’s roles in this abusive relationship, but the entire framework of judgment, justice, and victimhood.
This is a bold, timely novel for readers who crave psychological insight, emotional complexity, and stories that challenge assumptions. Fans of dark literary fiction and contemporary women’s drama will find themselves haunted by the questions this story refuses to answer easily.
Read it, question everything, and decide for yourself.
Book Themes
1. Moral Ambiguity in Abusive Relationships
The story blurs the line between villain and victim. It challenges the reader to examine how abuse can be mutual, complex, and deeply human, not always what it seems from the outside.
2. Hidden Truths and Misperceptions
People and relationships are often judged from the outside based on incomplete or biased narratives. The story revolves around uncovering uncomfortable truths, especially those that contradict social expectations.
3. The Damage of False Societal Assumptions
Society often views domestic violence in black and white: man = perpetrator, woman = victim. This book challenges that by showing how harmful those assumptions can be, especially when they influence justice, support systems, and public opinion.
4. The Silent Pain of the "Invisible" Victim
Male victims of abuse often suffer in silence because of shame, disbelief, and lack of support. The book sheds light on the emotional isolation and quiet suffering many never acknowledge.
5. The Personal Cost of Denial and Loyalty
Characters struggle between family loyalty and moral clarity. Sometimes, standing for the truth means putting yourself at odds with those you love.
6. The Imperfect Journey Toward Redemption
This is not a story of easy answers or instant healing, but one of grappling with past mistakes, seeking truth, and finding a way forward.
7. Psychological Roots of Violence
The story rejects the simplistic "evil abuser" model, instead showing that abuse often stems from unhealed trauma, emotional insecurity, and distorted thinking.
8. Institutional Bias and Systemic Failure
The legal system, support services, and public discourse often fail victims and mislabel offenders. Justice is unevenly applied.
9. The Necessity of Critical Thinking
The protagonist's journey demands questioning what she's been taught, a rejection of emotional manipulation and peer pressure in favor of evidence, fairness, and introspection.
10. Every Person Has a Story
No character is one-dimensional. Everyone, from the old neighbor to the troubled mother, has a backstory and hidden depth.
Reviews
"A powerful story about resilience, redemption, and personal reckoning."
★★★★★ | Reviewed by Nicky Flowers for Indies Today
The bond between mothers and daughters can be fiercely protective. So when Lucy Merrell reads a bad-news text from her mom, Paula, she is devastated. “Greg and I got into a nasty argument last night and he hit me.” Greg is an abusive husband? How could Lucy have lived with them for years and never noticed? Lucy begins to replay their love story in her head. Greg adored Paula, respected her, and welcomed her two daughters into his life. Nothing ever raised red flags. What changed? She can’t erase the traumas her mother has already endured, but Lucy is concerned for Paula’s future. At her sister’s urging, Lucy agrees to an audacious plan to hide cameras throughout Greg and Paula’s home, hoping to document evidence of his mistreatment if he comes back around. Much to the girls’ dismay, Paula does allow Greg back into her life a little at a time. Lucy is determined to obtain concrete proof that will convince her mother of the danger he poses. But that assumes Greg is as guilty as Paula makes him sound. As Lucy educates herself on domestic violence and dutifully combs through hours of footage, two different pictures of spousal abuse emerge. Is Paula truly the only victim in this story?
The Truth About You is a striking novel that explores how powerfully perception can shape reality. Framing a self-confessing abuser in a sympathetic light challenges the reader to consider the complexities of accountability, rehabilitation, and the capacity for change. Lucy’s measured approach stands in stark contrast to family members who unquestionably embrace whatever narrative is relentlessly pushed upon them. With a sister who is demanding, demeaning, arrogant, condescending, and manipulative, and a mother who possesses all those same qualities, it is difficult to empathize with either woman. The antagonists come across as bullies with only selfish motives to guide them, whereas the protagonists are generally portrayed as open-minded, thoughtful, and reasonable. In reality, however, people are far more complex. Still, it is rare to find a story that encourages such empathy and understanding, offering the benefit of the doubt in a situation where few are afforded such an opportunity. The undeniable hero of the story is a rescue dog who triumphs over stigma, judgment, and shame to become a living metaphor for the book’s story arc of transformation. Part cautionary tale, part riveting family drama, The Truth About You is a powerful story about resilience, redemption, and personal reckoning.
