WINNER 2022 Publisher's Weekly BookLIfe Prize Quaterfinalist WINNER of the 2021 Los Angeles Book Festival Wild Card WINNER of the 2021 New York Book Festival Wild Card "BLIND PONY is a memoir about overcoming-about facing up to and learning from one's past without being imprisoned by it." - David Herman for IndieReader "Hart's powerful debut, a gritty memoir rife with graphic details of abuse and triumph over it, will break hearts." - Publisher's Weekly "A spectacularly written memoir about the impact of cycles of abuse and dependence, Samantha Hart's Blind Pony is an intelligent exploration of both runaway teenage years and the ephemeral nature of truth." - BookLife Prize A gripping memoir of resilience and self-discovery, Blind Pony chronicles the extraordinary journey of Pam Butter, a runaway teen who transforms into Samantha Hart while navigating the treacherous landscape of 1970s Los Angeles. Escaping an abusive home life on her Pennsylvania family farm, 14-year-old Pam embarks on a cross-country search for her estranged father, only to find that the lights of Hollywood hide shadows far darker than she imagined. Desperate to outrun her past, Pam plunges into a world of drugs, decadence, and wealth, where a chance encounter with a wealthy playboy sets her life spinning in a new direction. Mistaking her Pittsburgh accent for British, he unwittingly gives birth to a new identity, propelling Pam into a whirlwind of international adventures, champagne parties, and sexual explorations. With a portfolio of nude photos and an unbreakable spirit, she is determined to make her mark on the world as Samantha Hart. Blind Pony is more than just a tale of survival; it is a testament to the power of perseverance and the indomitable human spirit. As Samantha navigates the precarious terrain of her new life, she grapples with the ultimate question: Will she succumb to the temptation to give up, or will she rise above the circumstances life has dealt her and seize the reins of her destiny? This poignant memoir vividly portrays a young woman's unwillingness to accept the hand she was dealt and her unyielding pursuit of success beyond her wildest dreams. Join Pam Butter on her extraordinary journey from a troubled past to a future brimming with possibility as Samantha Hart.