For fifteen years, while working full-time in this position, Flake submitted short stories and articles to publishers, each of which was rejected. However, Flake’s friends, who were also interested in writing, and her faith called her back to writing time and time again. She was the Director of Public Relations for the University of Pittsburgh's business school by the time she turned thirty years old. After spending eight years as a houseparent helping youth in foster care, Flake was hired by the University of Pittsburgh Press’ Public Relations department. Post-graduation, a writing insecurity from early in life remained, particularly about her grammar and spelling, so she decided to work in a social services agency. After taking several medical classes, Flake switched her major three times before becoming an English major. Flake attended the University of Pittsburgh at just seventeen years old, majoring in medicine. Flake's mother scrubbed floors for a living, and her father worked for Philidelphia Gas Works, having moved to Philadelphia after experiencing Jim Crow prejudices in the South. Flake grew up in a tight-knit family with six children. Flake was born on December 24, 1955, in Northern Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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