Karen Tyrrell

ME & HER: a Memoir of Madness is receiving recognition as a thought provoking memoir, one that delivers a guide to recovery and tools for wellness.

This week ME & HER’s Blog Tour has opened up discussions on recovery from mental illness AND strategies for mental health … hopefully lessening the stigma.

ME & HER: A Memoir of Madness is *ON FIRE*

Please check out the *HIGHLIGHTS* of my BLOG TOUR so far!

READ Cecilia Jansink’s (Cels) *WOW* REVIEW on ME & HER

http://celsconfessionsofabookymonster.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/me-her-memoir-of-madness-karen-tyrrell.html

WOO HOO! #9 Reviews over at Amazon, averaging 4.9 *STARS* … Here’s a snippet

~Understand the effects of mental illness … as a beacon for hope~ Charmaine Clancy, Author

~Insight into … mental illness. ~ Kathy Ferguson,  teacher

~Courageous and honest … A compelling read. ~MA Anderson, Author

Click here for the FULL #9 Amazon Reviews …

http://www.amazon.com/Me-Her-Memoir-Madnessebook/dp/B008219QQS/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=A24IB90LPZJ0BS&qid=1336914596&sr=8-2

YEE HAA! #3 more SUPER Blog Tour days to go!

TODAY! Friday 18th … We zoom across to Canada to catch Natasha Tracey’s insightful interview on HOW reflective writing became the KEY to my recovery. http://natashatracy.com/

Saturday 19th …We visit Kids Book Review to discover the TOP #5 kid’s books on mental health … Books guaranteed to build resilience in kids! http://www.kids-bookreview.com/

Saturday 19th …We hop over to Jill Smith’s blog to catch my Interview & Review…

Jill asks me … “Whats your NEXT project?”
http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com

Sunday 20th ... Angela Hall, director of Blue Dingo Network & Bug in a BOOK will REVEAL her review of ME & HER. http://bluedingonet.wordpress.com/

It’s not too late to add a BLOG Comment!!

Check out the FULL blog tour here. Click onto any of the sites listed & leave a comment to be in the DRAW to WIN #20 copies of ME & HER. http://karentyrrell.com/?p=3264

WHATS’s NEXT?

On Monday 21st of May, I’ll be announcing the #20 winners of ME & HER here.
Please drop by to check on the WINNERS!

A SPECIAL REQUEST

Please spread the NEWS of my thought provoking memoir …

to your  family & friends & networks, to  those trying to improve their LIVES and the lives of others.

Do you support change in attitudes towards Mental illness & Mental health?

If so, please press the LIKE button

ME & HER launched internationally on Amazon with a flurry of anticipation and stunning REVIEWS.

ME & HER is offering HOPE and Healing to those with mental health issues, delivering tools for recovery & wellness.

ME & HER: A Memoir of Madness is listed WORLD-WIDE on Amazon with the BEST BOOKS on Mental Illness.

It’s listed as a HOT NEW Release.
Already #5 READERS added their enthusiastic reviews, presenting overall with 4.8 *STARS* out of 5 … I can’t believe it … PINCH me please!

NEW REVIEW has just ARRIVED

“Karen’s story and her sheer honesty and depth captivates you with every page you turn. I could hardly put her book down. Her thoughtful words and expression in every sentence leaves you with many thoughts and feelings; courage, determination, confronting, engaging, emotional and challenging.

Through Karen’s journey, she open’s her soul whole heartily about mental illness offering in her own truest words insights into how she overcame and about her journey to recovery.

Karen is a brave, inspirational and aspiring person who I would love to meet in person one day. Thank you for allowing me to read your memoir. It’s truly an honour.” ….

Nicole Papadopoulos (PR/Advertising/Talent Management at 1house/1house Management)

What do you think of Nicole’s Review?

BLOG TOUR #20 Books to be WON this Week

Please leave a comment or question to be in the DRAW!!

16th  May Sally Odgers (editor) interviews me on my Writing & Editing Process.
“How did you reconstruct the scenes that took place during one of your memory blanks?” plus MORE.

http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com.au/

17th May Gabrielle Sheppard, Bi-polar Girl, interviews me on HOW I Recovered?

What was the most important thing that helped you Recover?
www.bi-polargirl.com/blog

Want to check out my AMAZON Reviews?

Please click on the *Buy the Book* badge … top right of this blog to go directly to my Amazon page!
What do you think of the REVIEWS of ME & HER?

Please spread the  positive NEWS to your friends and networks!
Thanks for supporting ME & HER: a Memoir of Madness … a memoir of HOPE!

ME & HER: a Memoir of Madness launches internationally on Amazon

as a Kindle eBook AND as a print Book!

Just click on the *Buy the Book* badge … top right of this page!

You NOW have two NEW options in reading my thought provoking memoir.

ME & HER narrates my journey into and out mental illness.

Discover … How did my teacher harassment lead to my decline & disintegration?

How did I claw my way back from Insanity?
And reclaim my life?

#20 eBooks to be WON this week as part of my BLOG TOUR!!

On Monday … Please check out …     

My interview Psychologist, Prachi S.Vaish as she interviews me …

How did I become severely mentally ill? www.hopenetwork.in

Then POP over to best selling YA author, Kaz Delaney’s Blog …

What inspired and motivated me to write ME & HER: a Memoir of Madness?  http://kazdelaney.wordpress.com/

Please leave a comment or a question on the ABOVE pages to be in the draw to WIN #2 books!

On Tuesday … I’ll be over at …

Tuesday Writing Tips- being interviewed by Dee white on HOW to Write a personal Memoir http://deescribewriting.wordpress.com/

AND Dr Happy will interview me on HOW I found Happiness after the Gloom http://www.thehappinessinstitute.com/blog/

Want to Buy ME & HER?

It’s easy! Just go to the TOP of this page … click on the *BUY THE BOOK* button and you can purchase

ME & HER as a Kindle OR as a print book!

Please spread this Message of HOPE out into the UNIVERSE!

Please Click the *LIKE* button below!!

**BREAKING NEWS**

SQUEE! … ME & HER: A Memoir of Madness is currently ranked #14 on Amazon Kindle for the BEST BOOKS on Mental Illness.
Its listed as a HOT NEW Release.

Please tell your friends!!

SQUEE! ME & HER: a Memoir of Madness will travel across the globe! From Monday 14th of May, ME & HER will be available internationally on Amazon  as a Kindle and PRINT book.

Click on *Buy the Book* … top right of this page!

ME & HER: a Memoir of Madness is taking the world by storm, not only as a fast-paced narrative BUT also as a guide to mental health strategies for recovery and wellness.
ME & HER will challenge and confront your preconceived ideas on mental illness … we’re all vulnerable!

On Monday, I launch my International Blog Tour! I’ll be guest blogging around the globe … coming from India, UK, Canada and Australia.

You’re promised a fun-packed week from 14th -20th May …

• Interviews with  internationally renowned psychologists and mental health advocates.
• Book reviews from Jill Smith & Ang Hall of Blue Dingo Net.
• Author interviews from top YA author Kaz Delaney,
• Tuesday Writing Tips with Dee White and Editing Process with editor Sally Odgers.
• AND check out the mental health books for kids at Kids Book Review.

ME & HER Blog Tour 14th – 20th May

14th May Kaz Delaney- Writing Inspiration http://kazdelaney.wordpress.com/
Prachi S.Vaish – Psychologist – Interview www.hopenetwork.in

15th May Tuesday Writing Tips- Writing Memoirs http://deescribewriting.wordpress.com/
Dr Happy – Happiness after the Gloom http://www.thehappinessinstitute.com/blog/

16th May Sally Odgers – Writing & Editing Process http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com.au/

17th May Gabrielle Sheppard, UK – Bipolar Recovery www.bi-polargirl.com/blog

18th May Natasha Tracy, Canada – Writing for Recovery http://natashatracy.com/

19th May Jill Smith- Book Review & Interview http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com

Kids Book Review- Mental Health Books 4 Kids http://www.kids-bookreview.com/

20th May Ang Hall Blue Dingo Net - ME & HER Book Review- http://bluedingonet.wordpress.com/

Every day, you’ll get at least #2 chances to WIN a Kindle ebook copy of ME & HER, simply by commenting on the blogs above.

GOOD LUCK!

Please share ME & HER’s Blog tour with the WORLD!!

Spencer Howson, Brisbane radio’s *Hottest* breakfast announcer is interviewing me LIVE to AIR this Thursday at 6.20 am.

I’ll be chatting in the studio at Brisbane Southbank (near QPAC) about my gutsy book, ME & HER: A Memoir of Madness.

How did a harassed teacher reach breaking point and Beyond? How did she reclaim her life?

Spencer Howson broadcasts the hottest NEWS stories in Brisbane between 5.00 am and 8.00 am each day. I’m thrilled Spencer read ME & HER: A Memoir of Madness and he’s tweeting about it!

Spencer will be interviewing me about the TRUE story behind my thought provoking memoir AND he’ll be announcing my Brisbane book launch.

Tomorrow night, please join me in a night of FUN and celebration!

Come along to Black Cat Paddington Books & Café,  179 La Trobe Terrace, Paddington @6pm to hear about ME & HER: A Memoir of Madness. I’ll share my journey and my recovery secrets. We’ll crack open bottles of bubbly, choccie cupcakes & jokes Galore!  Please call 3367 8777 to reserve a seat!

Engrave this time, 6:20 in your diary in CAPITAL LETTERS! … Set your alarm for 6:20 am for the 612 ABC breakfast show!

I wonder what Spencer Howson will say about ME & HER?

I can’t wait!!

Please spread this exciting news and share this link xx
POST -NOTE … Spencer read  ME & HER  and gave it a fabulous rap … Listen here to the MP3 interview recording …

www.mfp.com.au/karen/6124qr.mp3

What do you think?

SQUEE!  I’ve received the most incredible book review for ME & HER! And I’m busting to share my appraisal with you.

Who reviewed my thought provoking Memoir?

Cecilia Jansink (Cels)

Cecilia Jansink (Cels) is a respected Australian reviewer, assessing speculative fiction books on her website, “Confessions of a Booky Monster”.

Cels has published book reviews for award winning author Marianne de Pierres, reviewing books on her Burn Bright website under Cels’ Reviews.  Her reviews list the who’s who of Australian genre fiction: Kerry Greenwood, Rowena Cory Daniells, Lindy Cameron, Amanda Wraggles, Amanda Hocking and MORE. This year Cels made it onto the eligibility list for the 2012 Ditmar Awards.

What’s my connection with Cels, a speculative fiction reviewer?

Besides writing memoir, I write kids sci-fi novels and picture books AND I read the books Cels reviews!

What did Cels say?

She absolutely LOVED it! … Here’s a teaser snippet!

‘(Karen) Tyrrell writes with brutal and often devastating honesty and her story will certainly have you running the emotional gauntlet. Fast paced and brilliantly timed, the pages will fly by as you find yourself completely and utterly invested in not only the struggle that faces ME but desperately wanting to understand HER that little bit more and quite possibly give a certain set of parents a piece of your mind!

For most of us mental illness is a subject we want to shy away from and is to be avoided at any cost. Let’s face it, it’s just plain scary. (Karen) Tyrrell’s bravery at stepping into the spotlight and bearing her soul for all to witness will quite literally blow you away and help quash some of those fears at the same time. All in all this is a thought provoking and confronting read that will challenge you and lave you utterly transfixed at this amazing journey.

This is certainly a book to sink your teeth into.’

What did you think of this REVIEW?

Please share with your friends!!!

PS  On Thursday I’m launching ME & HER at Black Cat Paddington Books & Cafe on the 1oth May @6pm.

Please call 3367 8777 to reserve a seat!

RSVP to my Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/300594836682890/

WOOT!  Last night my first ME & HER: A Memoir of Madness book launch lifted off with a BANG!

Part of the crowd of 85!

Over eighty-five guests attended Logan North library in South Brisbane, Australia. 85! The librarian said it was one of their TOP book launches EVER (trailing closely after Kate Morton’s author talk and Cyclone Yasi’s recent launch).

I was unexpectedly surprised! Teachers from my old school waltzed in, keeping their attendance secret until they arrived. Warm tears and smiles overcame me. I’ve come so far along my journey from a harassed stressed-out teacher to a published author.

Dawn Alice MC

MC and author, Dawn Alice hosted the night’s event with smooth expertise, introducing all the speakers.

Mayor Pam Parker delivered a personal introduction and a speech on overcoming bullying and harassment.
“Don’t let those bullies get you down. Rise above them.”

I delivered my speech on my recovery with humour, so everyone would ‘relax’ hearing about mental illness. It worked! I heard their giggles and caught their smiles.
On a sad note, I presented a tribute to my dear friend, Theodora (Doris) Furfaro, a key character in my memoir, who passed away last week … I almost choked on those words.

Heather Golding, Jan Mills, Wendy Johnson, Rebecca Dobbie, Stephanie Laverie

My tears turned into smiles when I gazed at the audience! So many friends, family, teachers,  Book Clubbers, Toastmasters, and Writers showed.  Their warm embraces and congratulations turned my book launch into an undeniable success.

Later, my cramped hand couldn’t keep up with all the book signings! Boy did I need another cloned ME to help out! Or maybe a HER!
What a celebration we reveled in! We partied on scrumptious nibblies, sushi, ME & HER cupcakes and chocolate launch cake, chatting with our friends.

I’d like to thank ALL those who attended and the well-wishers who sent congratulatory messages. Your support has lifted me up, given me confidence to realize my dream.

When’s my next Book Launch?

Next Thursday, the 10th May, I’m launching ME & HER: A Memoir of Madness at Black Cat book shop at Paddington at 6pm.

Love to see you there! This time there’ll be bottles of bubbly!
Please come along and join a celebratory drink with me!

Please call 3367 8777.

RSVP to my Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/300594836682890/

Today I discovered my smiling photo and story pitch staring back at me on the front page of The Reporter newspaper. I couldn’t stop giggling. I had finally made the headlines …

“Write Idea: Author publishes a Memoir of Madness.”

I quickly scrambled to page 38 in the EVENTS section to find the rest of my story, titled

“Logan writer proud to publish her first book.”

Ashleigh Howarth, journalist with The Reporter newspaper interviewed me last week about my upcoming book launch at Logan North Library on May 1st at 6pm. Mayor Pam Parker is the Guest speaker.

Asheleigh describes ME & HER: Memoir of Madness as an …

“An emotional tale of overcoming the barriers associated with mental illness”.

Ashleigh quotes me … “But my story is a story of hope, a story of recovery and how I overcame my issues … Many people don’t understand mental illness, so I wanted to share my story so everyone can have a greater understanding of how it can happen to anyone … We are all vulnerable.”

Check out the FULL Story …

WOOHOO! I can’t believe it … My story and pic appears first when you open this link!

http://www.thereporter.com.au/ Please return here to share your feedback.

Think about all the BAD PRESS Bipolar Disorder gets … ie Matthew Newton, Brittany Spears!

When was the last time you read a POSITIVE story about mental illness?

Can reading my memoir lead to greater understanding of mental illness?

Can you please *share* this VIP News of Hope & recovery?

Radio 101 FM Brisbane interviewed me on the story behind ME & HER: a Memoir of Madness … on Tuesday 24th April at 11.40 am EST.  Athol Woodford (WOODY) quizzed me with probing questions, to uncover the truth.

Listeners tuning in, had the chance to win one of #2 *FREE* copies of my gutsy memoir.

How to Prepare for a *LIVE* Radio Interview

1)    Print out notes with dates & places to help prompt your answers

2)    Read through your notes SLOWLY, making pauses … Have a practice run

3)    Visualize yourself going through the interview on a brisk meditative morning walk

4)    Arrive early with your notes, camera, and your *FREE* books and a big SMILE. A happy grin will inject lay-back ‘easiness’ into your voice. 

5)    Remember to Breathe!

Can’t wait till tomorrow!

Woody hosts the Morning Magazine program on Tuesdays from 9am to 12 noon. Please tune in at 11.40 pm for my exciting *LIVE* studio interview then return here to share your reactions. I really appreciate your personal feedback.

Wish me a load of luck!

Please send soothing vibrations ))) to keep my voice calm, my breathing slow and my thoughts positive.
Good luck with the GIVEWAY competition. I’ll announce the winners here ASAP.

… Who tuned in on Tuesday at 11.40am?

What did you think?

Who won the #2 *FREE* copies of ME & HER: a Memoir of Madness?

DRUMROLL

I’m pleased to announce Allanah and Julie won.

** See you at my Logan North book launch on the 1st May at 6pm! Please call 3412 4140 to reserve a seat.

Stephanie Masters, entertainment journalist at Albert & Logan News recently interviewed me for a newspaper report, wanting to get the low-down on my controversial memoir, ME & HER: A Memoir of Madness about my insanity and how I recovered.

How did I Score a Newspaper story?

•    Research! First I secured the reporters email address and the paper’s telephone number.

•  I wrote a Press Release with an attention-grabbing title line. I detailed how my book will be beneficial to the community.

•    Next I emailed a Press Release to Stephanie directly to get her interested.

•  I followed up with a personal telephone call to finalize the newspaper story.

•    We made solid arrangements for a photo shoot and discussed publication date.

Stephanie interviews WHY and HOW I wrote my confronting memoir.

1)    How did you start writing ME & HER?

I started writing ME & HER, interviewing doctors, nurses and patients to make sense of what was happening to me. I joined a writing group and enlisted in a writing course to learn the craft after the psychiatric hospital released me.

2)    How hard was it for you to begin to put down your feelings and experiences in a book? Was it therapeutic for you?

The more I wrote, the easier it became to express myself on the page. Writing had a cathartic effect on my recovery.

3)    What does it mean to you to have the support of the Mayor and other Logan writers at the launch?

I’m thankful for the support of Mayor Pam Parker and to other Logan writers who encouraged me.

4)    What do you want people to get out of reading your memoir?

ME & HER sends out a positive message about the resilience of the human spirit and delivers hope from mental illness.

Check out this scan of my Page 38 story from Friday’s edition of Albert & Logan News and my announcement of my book launch on the 1st May at Logan North library at 6pm.

Here’s the link. Go to page 37 and click on story. Please return here to share your feedback! http://quest.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

What do you think of my newspaper story … and the headline?

Do you have any tips on securing a newspaper interview?