About Me

Hi, I’m Jo Hilder, and while I guess you’re here to check out my writing, you may be interested in some other stuff about me.

As a writer, I’ve authored four self-published books, and most recently my book Small and Pure – A Cautionary Tale, was published and released in June 2016 by Rhiza Press. I’ve also helped several others reach their dream of creating a book from their own story by editing and publishing their projects.

I’ve been involved in creative arts since the 1980’s, studying, teaching and working professionally across various spheres including drama and acting, singing and songwriting, art design and advertising media production, web design and blogging. My most recent venture is Sister Jo Bangles, a clothing brand dedicated to upcycling used materials into bespoke garments and offering a range of graphic design apparel as well. Unfortunately, COVID19 dealt my small business a huge blow I was unable to overcome. I’ve now returned to writing, my first love.

I’ve been through some heavy shit in my life. I’m pleased to say that despite its best efforts, the cancer that took me by surprise in 2003 was unable to survive me, not surprisingly, because given enough time, not many people can tolerate me either. I live with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, which means I have two kinds of bad days, and one kind of good ones. OIn the midst of a manic episode, I’ve been know to start three businesses, join a gym, set up a website, spend out an entire credit card, enroll in an online course and write one, start a social media support group and join others five, all in the space of a day. I shit you not. The other bad days are ones where I not only have to deal with the consequences of my manic episodes, but where life as I know it seems pointless, stupid and dark as hell.

Despite all this, and not dealing with it well or at all for the past fifty years of my life, I’ve done some incredibly rewarding and downright awesome stuff. I’ve written books. I’ve won songwriting awards. I’ve been on TV. I’ve done heaps of motivational public speaking. After recovering from cancer, I became a qualified and experienced support group facilitator and community advocate as well as working as a mental health support worker. I’ve actually, despite everything, helped people.

I have dreadlocks and eight tattoos. I think that’s about it.

Vocal.com
The Last Scout – Escape From Utopia (short story fiction) 2021
A Little Bit Broken – Making Meaning From Falling Apart (Non-fiction memoir) 2021
An Cailleach Agus A Ri Gypsy – The Witch and her Gypsy King (Short Story Fiction) 2021

ABC – The Drum Unleashed
How not to feed your baby (and other things they didn’t tell us in the maternity ward) (April 2011)
‘Family reasons’ – your last chance to use your children to feel superior (February 2011)

Mamamia (Australia)
9 Things Not To Say To Someone With Cancer. Please. (September 2012)
Have You Survived An Aldi Shopping Experience? (February 2011)

Marie Claire Magazine (Australia)
Could Your Relationship Handle a Health Crisis? (September 2012)

Newcastle Herald (Australia)
Speaking Ill – What Not To Say To Cancer Patients (October 2012)

Regular contributor to online journals (Published dates 2010 – 2013)
Darkwood Brew (USA)
Burnside Writers Collective (USA)
Relevant.com (USA)
Blogher.com

PUBLISHED BOOKS
Small and Pure – A Cautionary Tale
Author/Illustrator
Published by Rhiza Press, 1st June 2016
A picture book for older teens and adults about self, identity, and authenticity.

God, You Can Take My Mental Illness
Author/Publisher
Amazon/Createspace, 2014
Memoir/Essay and Commentary

Soul Letters for the Cancer Sojourner
Author/Publisher
Amazon/Createspace, 2013
Reflections on cancer survivorship.

Things Not To Say To Someone Who Has Cancer
Author/Publisher
Amazon/Createspace, 2012
Handbook for navigating the cancer experience.

My speaking, podcast guest appearances, and television appearance experience can be viewed here.