About the Author

Bio

Jill Ammon Vanderwood is an award-winning author and speaker from Southeastern Idaho, where she now enjoys a country life. She is active in a community where kids play outside, rather than sitting in a house playing video games. On a warm day, you may find Jill working in her garden, walking with neighbors, helping at a local food bank, or making charity quilts with the quilt club in town.

Jill tries to write something every day, whether it’s a blog post or a new book that’s been forming in her head. Jill is making a difference for the next generation, by tackling the hard topics affecting kids and their families around our nation, such as drugs, bullying or gun safety.

History

Jill is an experienced writer and speaker. She has taught workshops for writers, as well as being a keynote speaker for the League of Utah Writers. She speaks at school assemblies, teaches writing assignments in school classrooms, has spoken at a drug rehab center, Boys and Girls clubs, church groups, summer camps, and scout troops. Jill has interviewed for radio, newspaper, and TV—on the topics of drug abuse, bullying and overcoming the fear of public speaking.

In 2015 the author introduced her nonfiction book, Erase the Problem of Bullying. This is a teen book which addresses bullying from the perspective of the bully and those who are being bullied. This book includes stories from 42 teens and adults, from their own experiences. Each contributor includes advice for those who are being bullied.

In 2017 the author republished and updated her middle-grade Through the Rug collection. Through the Rug and Through the Rug 2 came out in the Tenth Anniversary Editions

Also in 2017 the author released the first edition of Through the Rug 3: Charm Forest. This is the book everyone was waiting for!

Early in 2019 the author introduced a new book series for fifth graders and up. The Path You Choose, with the first book: Off Target. This is a fiction book which explores a dangerous situation, when kids get hold of a parents’ gun. The reader is the main character, making choices and experiencing the consequences of each choice throughout the story.

Also in 2019 or early 2020 look for the second book in The Path You Choose series—On the Rocks, a fiction book which explores the dangers of underage drinking, with the reader as the main character.

Future Projects

What else is the author working on? Drugs Make You Un-Smarter begins with the story of Savanna Peterson, who was exposed to drugs at an early age with her father going to prison for crimes he committed due to drug addiction. This upcoming sequel will be a memoir of Savanna Peterson’s father, Kacy Peterson.

Kacy has lived a life of drug abuse and crime, which has landed him in prison, numerous times. Because of Kacy’s life choices, two children grew up without their father. Now we will hear first-hand how drugs have affected the Peterson family. Kacy Peterson reached out to Jill to help write his memoir. Their correspondence began with postcards, handwritten in pencil. Both Kacy and Jill writing very small, trying to fit as many words on a card as possible.

Kacy, knowing it’s too late to become a model father and a contributing member of society, decided the only way he can give back is to tell his story. He hopes to help others understand the hell that drug addiction brought to his life and the lives of those around him.

Jill Vanderwood on Amazon
Jill’s Calendar of Events
Information for Media