Jill Ammon Vanderwood is a multi-award-winning author, speaker, and change-maker dedicated to empowering the next generation of youth with inspiring works of fiction. With fourteen published books, Jill addresses sensitive and timely issues like bullying, drug abuse, gun safety, and underage drinking, blending engaging storytelling with impactful lessons. For her excellence in writing, Jill has earned many prestigious honors, including the League of Utah Writers’ Writer of the Year Award, the National Indie Excellence Award, the International Mom’s Choice Award, and multiple Gold and Silver Quill Awards from the League of Utah Writers.
A dynamic speaker, Jill engages audiences of all ages, from schoolchildren to professional groups, through keynotes and workshops on writing, marketing, and personal development. Her deep commitment to community engagement and youth empowerment underscores her mission to foster resilience, inspire positive change, and pave the way for a brighter future.
This one-on-one interview shares Jill’s background and experience writing book four of the acclaimed The Path You Choose series: Keeping Secrets.
Tell us about Keeping Secrets.
I wrote Keeping Secrets to help young teen to mid-teen readers explore the weight of choices, the complexity of secrets, and to know when and where to turn for help. As the fourth book in The Path You Choose series, this interactive novel puts you, the reader, at the center of the story. During a slumber party, secrets unfold—some heartbreaking, and some life-altering. From a friend struggling with depression to another who has witnessed a crime, each revelation forces you to confront tough questions: When is it okay to break a promise? Could revealing a friend’s secret save a life?
With multiple paths to choose from, you’ll navigate sensitive topics like addiction, abuse, and family struggles, uncovering the profound consequences of each story you choose to read. Featuring many different endings, Keeping Secrets empowers you to explore what it means to balance loyalty, ethics, and empathy in life’s most challenging moments.
Your choices matter! Which path will you choose?
How did your background and experience influence your writing?
As the third of eleven children, I grew up surrounded by stories and life lessons. As a mother of four and a grandmother, I began writing to share fun and meaningful stories with my grandchildren. I published my first children’s book in 2006. I now have fourteen published books.
Keeping Secrets is a natural addition to my commitment to addressing tough topics like drugs, underage drinking, bullying, and gun safety. Through this interactive storytelling format, with fifteen endings, I aim to empower readers to explore the consequences of their choices in a safe and engaging way, opening the door to critical conversations about the decisions that shape their lives.
What is one message you would like readers to remember?
Growing up means facing tough decisions and knowing where to turn for help isn’t always easy. Keeping Secrets offers a unique reading experience that empowers readers to navigate life’s challenges by making difficult choices and exploring their consequences—within a safe and judgment-free environment.
I hope that Keeping Secrets sparks meaningful conversations between girls and the trusted adults in their lives—parents, teachers, youth leaders, or clergy—helping build bridges of understanding and support. This book isn’t just a story; it’s a tool to encourage open dialogue about the real struggles young to mid-teens girls might face.
Purchasing the Book
Keeping Secrets: The Path You Choose #4 is available for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores. Readers are encouraged to purchase their copy today: https://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Secrets-Path-You-Choose-ebook/dp/B0CBQLNNCM
In addition, parents, caregivers, educators, and librarians are encouraged to visit Jill’s website, https://jillvanderwood.com, to learn more about her work, upcoming events, and new book releases.
You can also find her on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
Media Contact
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