Welcome to the Authors Against Bullying Blog Hop.
Authors Against Bullying is a group of authors united in our desire to speak out against bullying. Visit each blog on the hop to read stories about author experiences with bullying. Many authors have been the target of bullies. The good news? In many cases, bullying made us stronger. The bad news? Bullying continues to plague vulnerable children and teens. If you are being bullied, you are not alone.
Bullying Prevention Month
October is Bullying Prevention Month. The slogan this year is "The End of Bullying Begins With Me." Sign the PACER digital petition against bullying here and speak out against bullying. (I'm #43445.)
My Story
Yes, I too have been bullied. Have you read my young adult Spirit Guide series and wondered what events inspired the bullying that Yuki is subjected to? Well, my secret is out. The jocks at Wakefield High are based on my own high school tormenters. I didn't smell ghosts, like Yuki, but I dressed in long black skirts, was interested in the supernatural, and loved reading. This made me a target.
I was called a witch and a freak by people who didn't understand what those words really meant. But their intent was clear--the words were meant to hurt. Those students had found something to dislike about me and they lashed out with hate. Was I afraid? Yes. I was thrown up against my locker, tripped on the stairs, and taunted as I walked to class, but I never fought back with violence. I fought back with words.
Sophomore year I started speaking out against incidents of bullying, loudly. I could be found standing on a cafeteria table shaming the football player who was handing out wedgies and stealing lunch money. The surprising thing? Standing up for others made me feel strong AND kept bullies away from me. I was no longer an easy target.
Hooray for words.
Speak out against bullying and stop the abuse. xx
The Giveaway
I am giving away ebook copies of She Smells the Dead, Spirit Storm, Legend of Witchtrot Road, and Brush with Death to one lucky winner.
To enter, please leave a comment on this post (include your email address so we may contact you if you win). This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. Giveaway ends October 27th midnight EST.
The Authors
I'm sorry you went through that. And good for your for finding your voice even back then. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mandy.
DeleteThe message I hope to spread is to find your voice, speak up for yourself, and speak out against bullying. Let's make the future a brighter place.
xx,
E.J.
I am sorry that you were subjected to what so many are everyday. It is a very important subject and one that is mentioned around schools worldwide. I am glad you used words and still are with your writing. Thank you for sharing your story.
ReplyDeletektturner111(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thank you! I hope that sharing my story helps give a young person the courage to find their voice and to know that they are not alone.
Deletexx,
E.J.
tomboyjones45@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHey I'm Kimberly Gill, I was bullied for kindergarten to the day I graduated from high school. I went to the teachers and principal's but they did not do anything my parents even went up to the school still the principal and teachers did not do anything. I got blamed for stuff I did not even do they said it was my fault. I got called names I was cussed out and made fun of I only had 1 friend some of the people kids in my class said they were my friend but when I was not around or was not looking I know they were laughing at me. I know I don't look like a model or even feel like one but that wasn't right for them to do that to me. Everything school started i dreaded going back into that school because I knew what would happen and it did. I never want to step foot back into that school or near it because all that school is and is of is bullies I feel sorry for the kids that are being treated like me that are at that school but I know the teachers and principals will never do anything about they didn't while I was there. I was always lonely I never fit in anywhere. I always carried books with me to school to read I read Paranormal Romance and Harlequin Romance books and that's what I carried to school. They made fun of me for reading them and they claimed they were sex books. Yeah they have sex in them but there also a romance books. I hope that by telling what happened to me can help others. I hope that they know that they are better then the bullies and for them to not let them win because in the end they will get what they deserve.
ReplyDeleteKimberly,
DeleteThank you for sharing your story. It is my hope too that sharing our stories will help others realize that they are not alone. *hugs*
xx,
E.J.
Good for you for standing up! That took courage. Thank you for sharing your story today.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Deletexx,
E.J.
It is amazing you found a voice and stood up not just for yourself but for others as well. People do not understand the severity of bullying, and if they do, the just turn a cheek and look the other way. Being out of school for a few years now, and hearing stories of what kids do to each other is terrible. I feel like it has only gotten worse and with all the forms of social media available now days, kids have discovered new ways of bullying. It is wonderful a group of authors have come together and created this. There is power in words.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Ashley
twinsgirl33(at)gmail(dot)com
Yes, there is power in words. :)
Deletexx,
E.J.
Speaking up and raising my chin got me out of more than one scary situation. That's how I got through being ganged up on by the varsity basketball squad my freshman year (which I mention on my AAB post, linked below)--holding my ground, looking them in the eyes, and speaking the truth. Most people will back down if you keep your chin up and your voice proud, no matter how scared you are inside, but it helps immensely when other people have the courage to stand up with you. Bravo to you!
ReplyDelete* http://www.jaxgarren.com/authors-against-bullying-blog-hop-crowd-bullying-stepping-up-and-stepping-in/
It really is amazing how doing the right thing can make matters so much better. :)
Deletexx,
E.J.
I hid well enough from my bullies that one of them remarked that the noticed I was in a class with them years later because I was out sick one day and she noticed the absence
ReplyDeleteMay I borrow your cloaking abilities? :)
Deletexx,
E.J.
I was too tall, too skinny, to smart, too whatever. Haters are going to hate. I was never one of the cool kids so I was bullied on occasion at school but it was nothing compared to the bullying I got at home.
ReplyDeleteI think my kids had it worse at school as some of the social filters we had as kids have eroded to the point of non-existence. In some ways it is better. There is more information out there and role models are speaking up and out against bullies. More needs to be done at home, in schools and in the media.
My daughter is Jewish and a lesbian living in the bible-belt. How she has grown into the incredible woman she has despite all the negativity is one of life's great mysteries and one of my greatest blessings.
I think blogging about this is a good thing. Thank you for sharing your story.
I am sure that the support you gave your daughter made a huge difference. Supportive moms and dads ROCK.
Deletexx,
E.J.
great post. thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletesherryfundin69(at)netscape.net
You are very welcome. Good luck!
Deletexx,
E.J.
Thank you for posting the link to the petition. It's wonderful that you found your voice in HS. :)
ReplyDeleteI’m very proud to be a part of this important event, and empowered by all the stories of hope and encouragement I’m reading today. It’s wonderful that people can get together and promote the positive.
Absolutely. This has been a wonderful event.
Deletexx,
E.J.
Thank you for the giveaway. I was picked on as a child alot when I was younger really bad. It made me want to drop out of school but I didn't. Bullying needs to be stopped and everyone needs to have a part in doing that. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI remember feeling the same way about school. Let's stop bullying and make school a safer, happier place! :)
Deletexx,
E.J.
Speaking up against bullies isn't always easy. That was a brave thing to do. Thank you for speaking out and being part of the hop.
ReplyDelete<3,
-J
Honestly, the first time it happened, I think I just snapped. It was unbearable watching someone else be bullied.
Deletexx,
E.J.
I'm so sorry about your story. Here in Italy it's the same thing and sometimes when I was a child, I was a victim of bullies.
ReplyDeletewiccandike@hotmail.it
It is sad that bullying continues around the world. Hopefully by sharing our stories we can shed light on the subject.
Deletexx,
E.J.
Sorry to hear that. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
You are very welcome! Best of luck with the giveaway. :)
DeleteI hate bullying :( I had a lot of it growing up as well. I moved a lot so I never had a lot of friends every time I went to a new school. Kids would gang up on me and tease, take my barets out of my hair or take things from my backback. It wasn't until about middle school 7th grade that I started actually fighting back. Now I have a little boy in 1st grade and I talk to him about it all the time. Trying to help him understand and how to handle it. Darn bullies. On a good note. Thanks so much for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteTanyaw1224(at)yahoo(dot)com
Talking is so important. Your son is very lucky. :)
DeleteGood luck with the giveaway!
xx,
E.J.
I'm really sorry you went through that :( I've been homeschooled my entire life so while I don't get bullied as often or in the same way, I see it happening everywhere around me. I am happy to say I am always able to stand up for the kids being bullied, even if it's my friends doing the bullying. I'm glad you stood up to them in the end! It makes the biggest difference in the world :)
ReplyDeletebookworm88@charter.net
It really does make a difference. :)
Deletexx,
E.J.
Hi EJ
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you have to endure that. But it's great that you found a way to fight back without becoming a bully yourself.
Daniela.
dany7578 at hotmail dot com
Thank you! Good luck with the giveaway. :)
Deletexx,
E.J.
thanks for the awesome giveaway.
ReplyDeletesherryfundin69(at)netscape(dot)net
Your sorry you went through that. Thank you for sharing your story and I'm glad you found your voice and were able to stand up for yourself and others.
ReplyDeletegabs5831muilenburger@gmail.com
I meant to say I'm sorry you went through that. That's what I hate about iPads, they always change stuff on you
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