The Book Is Out!

My very first e-book, “God, You Can Take My Mental Illness – Just Not The Part Where You Speak To Me” is now available on Amazon to download to your Kindle. Click here to visit Amazon.

And you can even download a sample, just in case you’re scared you’ll hate it.

“God, You Can Take My Mental Illness” is a collection of my essays and blog posts taken from the last year or so, edited and expanded for your readin’ pleasure. I write about faith, family, relationships, politics, marriage, addiction, cancer, mental illness, menopause and other pressing issues facing people today.

If you like my blog, you’ll love my book.

Here’s some very nice things people were not paid to say about me, my writing and my book.

“With haunting and hilarious honesty, Jo Hilder can be as reflective as Henri Nouwen, as bold as Anne Lamott, and as thunderous as fellow Aussies AC/DC. Jo’s inspiring faith journey is truly high voltage.” Bert Montgomery, writer/teacher/minister, Psychic Pancakes & Communion Pizza/ Elvis, Willie, Jesus & Me, www.bertmontgomery.com

“Jo Hilder is a refreshing and authentic writer who draws you into the intimacies of her life.  A fantastic read with laugh-out-loud humor scattered throughout, ‘God, You Can Take My Mental Illness’ is a great collection of personal essays.  Jo confronts myth after myth of what the Christian life is supposed to look like. Marriage, mental health and alcoholism are themes she visits often, but it is threaded together with faith, hope and love. This book will provide readers reassurance that God is not looking for perfect lives…just honest ones.” Pam Hogeweide, author, Unladylike: Resisting the Injustice of Inequality in the Church, http://www.pamhogeweide.com/

“The only way I know of to develop a writing voice worth sharing is to become a person who has weathered a great storm well. Jo has weathered more than her share and the result is beautiful. Surviving cancer and marital difficulties has left Jo a witty, gritty, and fearless writer. Reading Jo’s work makes me laugh, think, and get angry. She makes me feel, which just might be the greatest gift a writer can share.” Larry Shallenberger, pastor and author, Divine Intention: How God’s Work in the Early Church Empowers Us Today. larryshallenberger.com

“Jo’s voice is exactly what the Christian world needs right now – unabashed, unashamed, and uninhibited.  Jo’s work has become essential at Burnside Writer’s Collective, where her authentic, relatable voice prods readers to push the envelope of their spiritual experience and break into a new kind of being.” Kim Gottschild – Associate Editor, Burnside Writer’s Collective, Cupcake Countenance Columnist, Burnside Writers Collective http://burnsidewriters.com/

“What I like most about Jo’s writing is that she is not afraid to ponder the hard questions. A Christian for many years, she doesn’t write ‘nice religious fluff’ – her work is gutsy, down-to-earth, warts-and-all – but most of all it’s ‘real’, and for that reason, the reader is able to relate in a practical way. Jo has experienced much in her life – cancer, mental illness, marriage breakdown and reconciliation, an alcoholic husband, and she has been involved in many facets of ministry. She is to be applauded for sharing so honestly and willingly to encourage others. She’s funny, she’s quirky, she’s passionate, she’s witty, she’s relevant – and I’m addicted to her blog!” Janet Camilleri, editor/founder/president, Footprints Magazine, Footprints Women’s Ministries Inc. (Australia) http://www.footprintsaustralia.com/

“Jo Hilder is cantankerous, opinionated, objectionable, tough, courageous, raw, vulnerable, insightful and above all daringly honest. Just the qualities needed in one who confront emperors inside and outside of the Church and point to their nakedness.  When other people pretend that the tough issues can be glossed over or treated with simplistic doctrine, Jo points to the fact that there’s a complicated elephant in the room that can’t be ignored.  Never one to blindly follow the crowd or to regurgitate someone else’s teaching, Jo’s ideas stem from her breadth of life experience, depth of original insights and her courageous capacity to be true to herself and tell it exactly as she sees it. Should I ever act like a naked emperor I’ll look to Jo to recommend an honest tailor.” Paul Macklin – Director, Amazing People. http://www.amazingpeople.com.au/

“She writes in an irreverent and hilarious voice that is imbued with truth, simplicity, and love. I’ve recommended her blog and specific posts to countless friends looking for non-traditional axioms about faith and life.” Elysha O’Brien, Ph.D., Wet Clay Blog http://www.elysha23.wordpress.com

“Brave, insightful and true. Jo Hilder is cut from the same cloth as all the great writers and artists in history. She won’t tell you what she thinks you want to hear. She will tell you what she’s seen from that wondrous viewpoint of hers, way out in front of the tribe and 30,000 feet high. Take heed of this fiery and lovable oracle who will make you laugh and cry (often in the same sentence) and cause you to stare some of life’s biggest questions in the eye.” - Michelle Falzon, Writer.

“Before you read this, I want you to know that I think you should like Jo Hilder because she’s Australian. Australians are the best, what with their different slang and their summers being in the winter. But I bet that once you start reading, you’ll end up liking Jo because her writing is incisive, witty, and, most importantly, very, very honest.” Jordan Green, Editor-in-chief Burnside Writers Collective

“Jo, you have some serious writing chops.” Jim Henderson (via Tweet), author, The Resignation Of Eve, http://resignationofeve.com/

Would appreciate any reviews for my book you may feel inclined to leave at Amazon. Please send me any feedback, I greatly appreciate your thoughts and opinions.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my supporters, my friends, my peers and all my readers for your encouragement.

This is all your fault.