Look out, all you rock n’ rollers. Time has for sure changed me. If you were around in October, you might recall that I lost my grandfather very suddenly. Because of how quickly it happened, how traumatic the scene was, and how I basically did not deal with any of my grief at all, I developed symptoms of PTSD. Which, because I’m me, I promptly ignored and wrote off as me just being silly. Because in Jenny World, other people’s mental illnesses and injuries are real, but mine are made up and the product of being a big wimp. It wasn’t until I watched my kids taking a life guarding course and saw them doing CPR on a dummy and had a panic attack that I realized, hey. Maybe I’m sick.
Since October, the blog has been sparse in the content department. That’s why. I was struggling in denial about my mental state. Writing anything was an uphill battle, which is why I haven’t had a new release in a while. To those of you who donated via that little coffee button on the side, I appreciate that more than you could know. You put food on my family’s table and paid our bills as my income dwindled.
The good news is, I’m feeling a lot healthier and more like myself. Which means…
Fans of my Sophie Scaife series can look forward to The Sister, available next week. I’ll post the blurb and a sample on release day. I’ve been playing it fast and loose with this one, due to the stuff listed above. I didn’t want to make promises I couldn’t deliver on. When the book goes live, I’ll also be launching a release day celebration contest, with the grand prize of an 8 Gig Kindle Fire tablet (ships USA only, sorry guys) and some other cool stuff.
After some encouragement from blog readers and friends, September will see the premiere of Trout Nation Radio, a monthly podcast with pop culture discussions featuring special guests and goofy segments. More info to come as the premiere gets closer.
As The Big Damn Buffy Rewatch nears season four, we’ll be adding Angel into the mix. The recaps will come out in the order they were originally aired with Buffy The Vampire Slayer, so the crossover episodes show up chronologically. It will also be the first time I’ve watched the show that way, so I’m totally excited about that.
Also coming soon? A #MerlinClub-style Twitter watch-a-long of North & South (the Richard Armitage one, not the Patrick Swayze one) with Bronwyn Green and Jessica Jarman, in a four-night event this fall. Details and hashtag will be posted here.
That’s all the news I’ve got. I’m glad to be feeling like myself again and thank you so much for your support and for sticking around during this past year.
Now, look at the cover for The Sister:
I may have just squealed really loudly to know I’m getting The Sister soon.
….
I did. I did squeal really loudly.
I am glad to hear you’re doing better Jenny. And not just because I can get The Sister soon.
So glad you’re able to “Come back to me.” AAAAAGGGHHH North & South!
Can’t wait for that podcast! I felt stupid when I brought it up on FB. That was my own fault, though. Thanks for not making me feel stupid.
So exciting!! Thank you for everything! 😀
Glad you’re doing better.
These are great news Jenny
I’m glad you are feeling better
Lots of hugs
(AAAHHHHHNEXTWEEEEK)
I’m glad you’re feeling better. I had a similar experience with my mother and I still feel a bit wobbly sometimes, even though she is totally fine now.
I’m really excited about Trout Nation Radio. It immediately reminded me of the old Roadhouse episodes and I loved those. Fingers crossed that D-Rock will be one of your special guests.
Also, Richard Armitage in North & South (or The Vicar of Dibley or Robin Hood or, let’s be honest, anything)? Swoon!
Glad you’re feeling better 🙂
And thinking everyone else’s mental health issues are real and important while you yourself should just “try harder” or “get your shit together” or “it isn’t that bad” sounds pretty normal to me, and three quarters of a year seems like you were on the fast lane out of denial-land. You’re doing great and what you did was a very brave thing. Just wanted to leave that 🙂
Oh oh oh! I only have to wait a week for a new Neil and Sophie book! Yessssss!
Excellent to hear that you’re on the mend, and super-awesome to hear that your kids are taking lifeguarding classes 🙂
My dad and I had a similar reaction losing my Iron Lady of a grandmother this year. So glad you’re allowing yourself time to care for yourself, and so stoked to read more of Sophie’s story next week!
So cool about the Buffy recaps. My first rewatch of the show was done like that (with the Angel episodes in release order), and it definitely delivers. Glad to hear you are doing better.
I am so happy you are feeling more yourself. Grief can be overwhelming and debilitating and we never know how we will cope until it happens to us. I’m really glad that you were able to get a handle on what was going on in yourself and deal with it. Good job, Jenny! Like you, I also tell myself to suck it up when I’m dealing with whatever. Of course, if someone I know was dealing with whatever, I would be super supportive and recognize the signs of whatever. But me? Naw, it’s all in my head, right? Le sigh. Humans are weird. ;o)
In other news – I am so over the moon about a podcast from you. Can’t wait!
Yay! More Jenny Trout content!
I’m glad you’re taking your own mental health seriously- it helps set a good example for the rest of us that tell ourselves we’re just being wimpy and to get over it.
Yay North and South! I love that show/ mini series!
Glad you’ve realised it was happening and glad you’re recovering. Also very glad that ‘Say Goodbye to Hollywood’ made it out. It is most entertaining. The code for the helicopter said it all…