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ATTLEBORO - An expectedly controversial book written by a local author is being released today, and the author invites area residents to discuss the book during a special event at her home from 2 to 4 p.m. today.

The book - "Not of My Making: Bullying, Scapegoating and Misconduct in Churches" - is a literary memoir written by Attleboro resident Margaret W. Jones.

Jones holds a doctorate in psychology from Hofstra University and along with her husband owns Adult and Child Counseling Associates, a psychotherapy practice, with offices in Attleboro and Stoughton.

In the book, Jones writes about how she felt she was shunned and blacklisted in area churches after expressing unpopular opinions and feelings. Based on those and other experiences, Jones founded Pluck Press in order to tell a story she says needed to be told.

"I had to write the book," Jones said. "Those who shunned me and forced me out of the congregation did so because they wanted to silence me. They wouldn't talk to me, and they didn't want me talking to anyone inside or outside of the church about my pain and struggle.

"I felt they stole my voice. It made me suicidal. Writing "Not of My Making" was a way of reclaiming my life and embracing who I am," she said.

Among the struggles that Jones needed to discuss are a history of neglect and abuse, about which she says writing helped her to find the answers she couldn't get from talking to her peers.

"As I wrote the book, I came to realize how being neglected by my parents and rejected by my peers made me easy prey for pedophiles and tainted the rest of my life," she said.

"It made it hard for me to get past the starting gate. I thought if I worked hard and contributed to the congregation, I would be accepted, but people didn't want to let me in, or if they allowed me in, wanted me to stand alone on the margins," she said.

To celebrate the release of the book, Jones is holding a Thriver's Summer Festival, the special event to be held at her home at 10 Hazelwood Court today, to which she invites "media, clergy, church leaders and anyone concerned about the adverse impact of bullying on faith development and church membership."

Janette Sears can be reached by phone or fax at 508-222-0993 or by e-mail at janette.boulay@gmail.com.