Marie Dunn's New Memoir 'Don't Wait' is About More Than Running - It's About Perseverance

On the cover of Don’t Wait, her memoir, Marie Dunn is in sports gear and shows off a symbolic medal which signifies perseverance. Sticking to your guns permeates the New York-based Jamaican’s fourth book.

Marie Dunn reading from her book, Don't Wait, at the June 21 launch in Harlem, New York.Don’t Wait is inspired by Dunn’s competing in two major track events — the New York Marathon and Philadelphia Marathon — but according to one review, “This isn't just about running shoes and finish lines.”

Dunn reinforced that observation during the launch on June 21 at the Malt House in Harlem, New York. 

“Sharing such a personal journey publicly is a courageous act of vulnerability. The goal: to offer readers permission to be imperfect, to start where they are, and to embrace their own pace. But more than that, it's about building connections,” she noted. “I want readers to understand the power they have when they choose to release those limiting self-beliefs. By sharing my story honestly, I hope to build a community, encourage others to challenge unrealistic expectations, and remind them that their struggles are not a disqualifier, but rather a connector.”

Don’t Wait is distributed by Bold Flamingo Publishing, Dunn’s company, which also distributed her previous tomes — Bold Soul-Searching Monologues, Bold Her Liberation and Tease. While not limited to her preparation for, and competing in the 2023 New York City Marathon and 2024 Philadelphia Marathon, it encourages resilience when the chips are down.

“This memoir is both a call to action and a vital companion for anyone who is ambivalent or overcome with doubt, encouraging them to move forward with courage, even in the face of fear. It is also a reminder that some journeys must be taken alone, because solitude provides us with the opportunity to discover ourselves,” Dunn reasoned.

Dunn is from St. Ann parish in northern Jamaica. She has lived in the US since her mid-20s and holds a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University.