Also, I havenโt been on much this month because Iโve been in a bit of a depressive episode. So, I donโt think Iโve wished you a happy Pride through the website yet.
Happy Pride, and please, be safe. โค๏ธ๐งก๐๐๐๐
May was Mental Health Awareness Month, and things have been so tough that I never even took a moment to talk about it. Ironic, right? ๐
If youโve read my books (especially Goddess of the Sea or The Reign of Darkness), you know mental illness is a major theme. I try to be honest in real life (like now, for instance) about my own struggles with mental illnessโbecause I think hiding it only increases the stigma. And I try to bring that same honesty into my books.
I believe sanitized portrayals of mental illness only hurt us. No human being responds perfectly to trauma, and fictional characters shouldnโt either. Mental illness isnโt meant to be pretty. It can be exhausting, overpowering, and scary, and some of the symptoms (the physical ones, I mean) might even be things people consider โgross.โ
Itโs hard to write honest portrayals of mental illnessโbecause it often feels like no one cares about that. They just want excitement and action. On top of that, it means youโre going to see the word โunlikeable,โ especially if your characters are women. People treat us this way in real life, too; theyโre just a little less shameless about it.
Butโฆsomeone out there is struggling and needs to feel less alone. Someone out there needs this story. Thatโs why we do itโeven when itโs scary, even when it hurts, even when it feels like no one cares. ๐
While I was in catch-up-after-a-migraine mode, I realized there was a piece of good news I couldโve sworn Iโd shared last month but didnโt. (Knowing me, itโs probably saved in drafts somewhere.)
Thank you so much to everyone who voted for it! This is the book I was most terrified to releaseโbecause I was scared people wouldnโt understand the mental illness focus or wouldnโt appreciate the mental illness focus, because I was scared of being this vulnerable, of having so much of my own trauma out there. I was justโฆscared. So, for people to actually like this book, it justโit makes me cry. Iโm so happy. ๐ฅน
Thank you. ๐๐๐๐
You can view the other winners at the link below. ๐
Actually, it came out two days ago, but I was nearing the end of a pretty aggressive migraine (and the start of the depression spiral that likes to tag along with it) and couldnโt think clearly enough to put the post together. ๐
Iโm so excited to listen to Lindsey Dorcusโs incredibly talented narration along with you. (I just downloaded mine! ๐)
Iโll probably share another snippet within the next day or so (because Iโm like two weeks behind on them here ๐ ), but until then, I hope you have the best day possible! ๐ค๏ฟผ๏ฟผ
Iโve been a little absent from social media lately because with Motherโs Day so close (here in the U.S., at least), Iโve been in a bit of a spiral. The good news isโฆthis has happened every year since her death, so I know to expect it now.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and Iโm sending extra, extra love this week to anyone who has lost a parent. I know the reminders are everywhere right now, but I hope you still have some happy moments. ๐
April is Autism Acceptance Month, and especially after certain recentโฆremarks, it felt like a good time to remind you that Em, of my Lesbians, Pirates, & Dragons series, is autistic, and not a single person aboard the Wicked Fate considers her a burden because of it. ๐
Britney Jackson 
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