I want teen readers to be able to go into a bookstore and pick up
something that reflects their experience. Considering one in ten young
people experience mental health issues before the age of 15, books
discussing these issues need to be on the shelves. But, if you’re going
to ‘go there’ as an author, it’s vital you get it right.
When I started writingAm I Normal Yet?
it was essential to me to ensure I was covering OCD and Generalised
Anxiety Disorder as sensitively as possible. Striking a balance between
realism, and protecting potentially-vulnerable readers. Here’s what I
learned along the way…
One of the most exciting things about getting a book published, is seeing other teenagers in other countries find your story and for it to still resonate with them.
I’ve been absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the love my books have got from readers in the Philippines, and I’m so delighted they’re going to be able to get their hands on Am I Normal Yet?.
“This is not a novel about a condition: Evie’s condition is that of being a contemporary young woman, and through her guerrilla feminist group with new soulmates Lottie and Amber (who will each get a novel to themselves shortly) she learns new pathways through life that all her peers can follow.” – Geraldine Brennan for The Observer on Am I Normal Yet?
Team Usborne loving their t-shirts and Holly’s books!
Holly with Usborne Fiction Director, Rebecca Hill
GIANT COOKIE!
Holly and the original Spinster Club members!
Holly with Alexia Cascale
Holly Smale, L.A. Weatherly and CJ. Daugherty enjoying the party!
Holly is having a well-deserved day off (in her PJs, watching Made In Chelsea season 1) so we’ve gathered some of the photos from last night – the launch party for Am I Normal Yet?. Enjoy!
We’re super excited about it all, especially about Holly’s event. She’s appearing on a panel chatting about mental health in YA. So this afternoon, when we saw a feature by YA book blogger Jess Heart Books called ‘YALC Tips for Coping with Anxiety’ pop up on our Twitter feed we just HAD to share it with you.
As publication draws ever closer, we’re so excited to share the latest reviews of Am I Normal Yet?.
Our friends atLoveReading4Kidshave a panel of amazing YA reviewers who read and review the latest and best books out there. We sent them early copies of Am I Normal Yet? and here’s what they thought:
‘I really enjoy the tone
and voice of the book. It is able to talk about the serious topic of OCD
while still being humorous. It is a perfect mix of informative and
amusing.’ – Charlotte, age 14
‘Teens are extremely lucky to have
this book available to them and I hope it reaches the widest possible
audience. An essential and vital book for teens today.’ – Jade
‘This was a great book
which had a gripping storyline as well as featuring important themes
such as feminism. It was very interesting and included relatable
characters.’ – Chloe, age 15
‘It was a real heart
wrenching book and I recommend every single teenage girl and boy read
it. I couldn’t put it down, a truly inspiring book. A massive 5
stars.’ – Rose, age 16
‘One of the most real and
honest accounts of teenage life in a fiction book I have ever read. It
was interesting, exciting, sad, and to top it all off it really made me
think.’ – Lauren, age 15
‘It was a real eye opener,
especially when paired with the issues of feminism and how it is
perceived. A definite recommendation for all of those wishing to read
between the lines.’ – Delilah
