PRLog (Press Release) – Aug. 12, 2013 – NEW YORK — Jeffrey Wachman grew up the baby of a sprawling family of seven children, living in a one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn, New York. Jeffrey’s father, a hardworking Korean War veteran, and his mother, a housewife, could never make ends meet. Jeffrey’s childhood was the kind of poor defined by hand-me-down-clothes, visits to food pantries, and constant fights about money.

“If Only You Knew Me Then…” written by Jeff Wachman with Travis Montez is the semi-autobiographic tale of how, to combat his family’s poverty, Jeffrey dropped out of junior high school and turned to dealing marijuana. Jeffrey soon learned the power that came with his new enterprise was more addictive than any drug. By the time he was 18, Jeff was a major crime figure in the Brooklyn drug trade. In his early twenties, he was the focus of several major law enforcement investigations. His street-name “Dirk” was one that inspired fear and intrigue. Fear because he had a reputation of doing any and everything it took to maintain and defend his drug territory; Intrigue because he managed to do so while being openly gay.

What began as a way to make fast, easy money for his family became an all-consuming life-style filled with dangerous characters, sex, and extreme violence that ended up pulling Jeffrey away from the people he loved most.  “If Only You Knew Me Then…” is the story of how and why he began to fight his way back.

This first novel has been a labor of love for the past three years since his release from the Southern State Correctional Facility on May 5, 2010.  When asked why he chose to share this very personal and emotional story with the world, Mr. Wachman stated “I wanted to tell my story for both children and parents.  To show kids that nothing comes out of that lifestyle and hopefully show the parents the strain they can put on their children”.  Mr. Wachman would very much love to return to PS99 in Brooklyn and share his story with the students in the very school that he attended when his life took such a drastic turn for the chance to help even just one child avoid the mistakes of his past.

“If Only You Knew Me Then…” is set to be released this fall.

ABOUT JEFFREY WACHMAN
Mr. Wachman is a successful model, entrepreneur and club manager in New York City.  He married the love of his life, Matthew, on January 13, 2013 and they reside in Brooklyn, New York with their Schnauzer, Daxter.  Both Mr. Wachman and his husband, Matthew, are avid supporters of numerous LGBT organizations as well as organizations focused on under-privileged youth.

For more information please visit www.ifonlyyouknewmethen.com.  Mr. Wachman is available for interviews and speaking engagements.  For appearance, press, and media requests please contact tammy@blackstilettopr.com. 

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/12191308/1