Spotlight

SCPS Student Publishes Second Book

“Back of My Hand” Encourages Questioning How Well We Really Know Ourselves

Stepping into their dream of being a writer, SCPS Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies student, Dan Rice, is publishing a second book. 

Inspired by the colloquial phrase, “I know it like the back of my hand,” Rice’s creative memoir is an exploration into identity and how well we really know ourselves. 

While blurring the lines between poetry, prose and poetic prose, the text weaves together mental health, coming out and spirituality. Aiming to be vulnerable and share their own journey, Rice makes no attempt to claim they have answers. Rather, Rice believes readers will take from the book what is best for them. 

Rice’s experience through college, including its highs and lows, is highlighted in the book. A historically stellar student known for their love of learning, Rice graduated from high school in Winchester, Virginia in 2012 and pursued a bachelor’s degree at William and Mary. After two and a half years peppered with struggle, Rice paused their education to acknowledge that their mental health needed their full attention. 

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Dan celebrates with friends
Dan and friends celebrate a thirtieth birthday with a funeral-for-the-twenties themed party. 

Over the next eight years, while Rice worked various passionless jobs, the question of education kept picking at their brain. Rice knew their approach would need to be different if they were to return; success in school would require self-reflection and skill-building. 

“I was always driven to earn a 4.0 GPA, and I needed to ask myself why,” Rice admitted. “I wanted to approach learning from a more authentic motivation. I wanted to find a formal program that would benefit my career so that I could give back to people.”

Rice landed on UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies. “I’ve always loved UVA,” Rice said. “I have the best of both worlds. SCPS is a small school, so I have closeness with my peers, but I also have the larger University. I can go to football games with all UVA students.” 

Rice has learned to draw on skills and strategies when the first inklings of overwhelm set in at school. They also lean on support offered by faculty, staff and students. “I’ve received a lot of support, and the acknowledgement page of my book recognizes many of them,” Rice shared, adding that they participated in the School’s Writing Center and made the most of their creative non-fiction class with professor Charlotte Matthews while writing the memoir. 

“The Back of My Hand” was published under the pen name Harmony Lee, another testament to Rice’s self-discovery drawn out in the book. Likened to a mantled persona such as Lady Gaga, Rice believes Harmony Lee offers a greater capacity for creativity, spirituality and exploration. “Harmony Lee is not less authentic, but it allows me the chance to be more in the moment,” Rice explained. “Lee” also pays homage to a family member and fellow author, who died by suicide.

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Dan Rice smiling with their newly published book

Rice will be holding a book signing event on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 02:00 pm in the UVA Bookstore. "The Back of My Hand" is currently available on Amazon and the UVA Alumni Author Web Catalog.