D.M. Brown wrote her first book, Cover to Cover, never intending to show it to anyone — she thought that her imagined audience would inhibit her ability to express herself completely.

This was an unexpected revelation from a self-published author, now trying to expose her book to college-aged women throughout the country.

An admitted feminist, Ms. Brown is a warm and funny woman who strives to shy away from labels or stereotypes that may give someone a preconceived notion of her work.

Brown sees categories as a hindrance, but if pressed she refers to herself as an activist.

Her new book, Cover to Cover, is her exploration of women's struggle with voice and expression.

The book is a manifestation of Brown's own personal challenges to articulate herself, challenges that she thinks of as universal for women.

"As a writer I have my own issues with expression, and it came out in my main character," Brown said.

Brown explained that the book was not intentionally feminist.

In her opinion, it is a good story, and there is a facet of the population that will pick it up for the mystery element of the plot alone.

But there are many layers to Cover to Cover, and one of them happens to be feminism.

Brown's philosophy to understanding communication requires looking at what can hinder a woman interpersonally, socially and interactively.

A rudimentary translation is as follows: does a woman feel she has anything worthwhile to say, is she recognized as a member of her own group, how will other members of her society receive what she says and how will their biases affect their perception?

Brown explores a woman's struggle to express herself while facing both emotional and physical challenges.

"One of my biggest issues in writing is it's a challenge to expose the book to different communities, and one interest for me is young progressive women interested in feminism," Brown said.

She described one encounter with a women's studies professor who liked the book but would not use it in class because it was not a part of the generally-accepted canon of women's studies literature. In other words, the book was not recognized as mainstream enough to be used in the classroom.

She says when she was in school women's studies courses were intended to introduce the students to authors they had never heard of before — non-mainstream was the point.

Over the years the books became popularized and accepted, and now that is all you get.

Brown's own philosophy is not radical, but it applies to the lives of those she is trying to reach.

"As you get older I think you lose a little of the liveliness and excitement for life, there is not enough time or energy. I want to take advantage of young women's excitement," Brown said. "The only consistent feminist interest is improving the lives of women."

As a way of getting in touch with the young women she is trying to reach, Brown maintains a Web site (www.123readme.com).

She also hosts a Yahoo chat room for reviews and discussions of Cover to Cover.

Her book can be ordered online at Amazon.com; credit cards are not necessary for purchase.

Check out the upcoming review of D.M. Brown's 'Cover to Cover' in next Thursday's Arts In Review section.