11.29.2015

Strive to be an advocate for Mental Health Awareness. Really.

We see it all around us more and more...hashtags for things like #MentalHealthAwareness. And this is great, it is. It is fan-freaking-tastic that people are speaking up more. I hashtag it too. But do we really stop to think what it means, and what we can do?

It's time to start.

REALLY start.

Giving lip service isn't enough. Just caring about the issue isn't enough. I believe we all need to be willing to step up and find our voice and figure out what real action we can take to help bring about change. Because the reality is--our kids are dying. So are adults. But right now, in this post, I want to address how so many adolescents and teens are directly affected by mental health issues like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and more.

It drives me up a wall when I hear people make comments about teens who self-harm, or suffer from depression or anxiety in a nonchalant manner of, "They're just doing it for attention."

Because let's examine that statement. FOR ATTENTION. They are cutting themselves with razors, or pen caps, or knives or paper clips until blood runs from their skin ....for attention.  And let's assume, just for a minute, that even if this statement is true for some of these teens....what does that tell us? What are they crying out to show us where words fail them? That they are in pain. Or...maybe even worse...that they feel absolutely nothing and feel the need to self-harm to feel anything at all. They are numb.

And even if they need attention, what is wrong with that? They need to know that they matter. That they are worth something. That someone cares enough to say, "Are you okay?"

And when they don't hear that, see that, feel that....what's the result? They become more firmly convinced that what they suspected or felt to be true....IS the truth. They come to believe their inner pain or hurt or emptiness doesn't matter. And that is a tragedy.

We have to get over the stigma. We have to make it MORE than okay to talk about these issues. We have to be the ones who do it. Because if we don't...who will? The reality of how many kids are hurting inside breaks my heart. And it also wakes me up.

So to anyone who might stumble across this blog post, and feel like no one "gets it"...that no one could understand how you feel, or even care...know that you are NOT ALONE.

YOU MATTER.
YOU ARE WORTHWHILE.
YOU ARE PRECIOUS.
YOU ARE NOT A MISTAKE.
YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU FEEL RIGHT NOW.

You DO matter.

And for anyone who sees someone going through a hard time, I get that sometimes we don't know exactly what to say. And that's okay too. Listen. Or, if they don't want to talk right now, just be there. That counts for more than you think.

And talk about it. On social media, to your friends, your family, your neighbor, your mailman...I don't care who...but be an advocate.

"Be the change you wish to see in this world." ~ Gandhi





11.28.2015

Facebook party time!

Want to come to a super secret party hosted by awesome authors and win some amazing books and swag?  All you have to do is ask! Just leave your facebook contact info in the comments, and I will invite you to the event on December 1st! The party is going to last ALL DAY with a slew of authors checking in to chat, run contests and giveaways, and MORE! You don't want to miss it.

A.L. Davroe's newest novel, NEXIS, is releasing December 1st! Join A.L. and her fellow authors in celebrating the release of this fantastic Sci-Fi adventure.

NEXIS:
In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. A Natural Born amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats, all Ella ever wanted was to be like everyone else. Augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then…the crash. Devastated by her father’s death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella is terrified to learn she is not just alone, but little more than a prisoner.

Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. In Nexis she meets Guster, a senior player who guides Ella through the strange and compelling new world she now inhabits. He offers Ella guidance, friendship…and something more. Something that allows her to forget about the “real” world, and makes her feel whole again.

But Nexis isn’t quite the game everyone thinks it is.

And it’s been waiting for Ella.


AL Davroe is hosting the event, with the following authors scheduled to appear to help celebrate:

 Jodie Andrefski
Cassie Clover
Gretchen McNeil
Pintip Dunn
Leah Kate Write (Leah and Kate Rooper)
Kelley York
Leanna Renee Hieber
Lia Habel
Jenny Trout
Anne Michaud
Starla Huchton
Kimber Leigh Wheaton
Heidi R. Kling
Marianne Morea
T. Lynne Tolles - Author
Erica Orloff


 

#HolidayBookBash is coming!

And what exactly is #HolidayBookBash you may be asking?  It's a book party! Or, your chance to get to know more about some amazing authors and their books, as well as win a fantastic prize pack--just in time for the holidays!

Interviews will run starting next week, and continue through the end of December.  Keep an eye out for more information and the author lineup. You don't want to miss it!



11.20.2015

THE GIRLFRIEND REQUEST cover reveal and contest!

I am beyond excited to share the cover for my Young Adult Contemporary novel, THE GIRLFRIEND REQUEST!

Blurb:

Emma has been best friends with Eli since she moved to his neighborhood ten years ago. Tired of being cast in the role of the girl next door, Emma creates a fake Facebook profile in the hopes of starting an online friendship with Eli, which would hopefully lead to more. Like...way more. From friend request to In a Relationship--it all seemed so completely logical when she'd planned it.

Eli can't figure out what Emma is up to. He's pretty sure she's the one behind the Facebook profile, but then again, why would she do something so drastic instead of just admitting she wants to be more than friends? And who the heck is this new guy he saw her with? Eli starts to think that just maybe... he missed his chance with the girl next door.

 Two best friends, one outlandish ruse. Their status is about to become way more than It's Complicated.

 Be sure to keep an eye on EntangledTeen.com for an interview with Eli for their Swoon-Worthy Sunday feature. (Trust me, Eli is definitely just that!) ;-) I hope you love reading THE GIRLFRIEND REQUEST when it releases just as much as I loved writing it.

Until then, may your days be filled with love and laughter.

~ Jodie 



THE GIRLFRIEND REQUEST
By Jodie Andrefski 
Release Date - 1/12/16
Entangled Teen: Crush  



And....to celebrate, I am offering a chance to win a $20 Amazon e-Gift Card,  as well as this beautiful handcrafted necklace with a vintage rose glass pendant.
(
I'm sorry, but I am unable to ship the necklace outside of the US. If the contest winner is outside of the US,
it will be e-Gift Card only. Thank you for your understanding.)

The winner will be selected randomly from all entries, and will be announced Thursday, November 26th.

Remember, you can RT daily for more chances to win!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you so much for helping me celebrate my cover reveal and best of luck in the contest!! 

11.19.2015

Fun Stuff Coming up...

I have been so crazy busy with edits and writing that I've really done a horrible job of keeping up to date on this blog--so I apologize for that! I will get better, I promise. Maybe I should make that my pre-New Year's resolution. Hmmmm.....

Anyway, I am so excited about all of the awesome things coming up, that I will be able to announce soon! To give just a hint....you will get the chance to "meet" Eli, the swoony hero from my upcoming novel, THE GIRLFRIEND REQUEST, which is set to release January 12th, 2016 from Entangled Crush.

In addition to that, I've lined up some AMAZING authors who have agreed to be interviewed about their books. Many will also be holding cool contests for your chance to win things like books, Amazon GCs and more. Keep an eye out for the hashtag #HolidayBookFun on twitter. So definitely keep your eye out!  If YOU are a YA author (any genre!) who would like to be featured on my blog, please reach out. (Check out the "Contact" tab or use the handy-dandy email link to the right.)  =)

Until next time..may your days (and nights!) be filled with love, laughter and plenty of weak-in-the-knees-inducing kisses.

~Jodie