Author Paula Jean Ferri recently announced that her second book “Tragically Strong” will be published in late January 2018. The book will focus on the many difficulties that individuals face and how they not only overcome those difficulties but eventually use them to help others. Ferri is a pen name for Jessica Smith, and “Tragically Strong” follows her first book, “Awkwardly Strong,” which was published in 2016. “Awkwardly Strong” came from a college paper Ferri wrote and focused on Tourette’s Syndrome and how that condition, which most think is awkward and embarrassing, can actually be a strength.

“Tragically Strong” picks up on the theme of Ferri’s first book, but expands the topic and delves deeper into the difficulties that individuals face, all of which can be overcome and turned into strengths to use to help others. As Ferri puts it, “I’ve been through several difficult things in my life that I’ve been able to heal and bounce back from, and with both of these scenarios, people tend to comment on how it’s amazing I’ve been able to heal, and how I’ve been able to completely transform the situation and offer advice to others. This was something that I needed to expand upon in order to reach more people because it is so relatable; we’re all awkward, and we all go through hard things.”

According to Ferri, the book is written for those with neurological disorders and irregularities, including depression. They are disorders that Ferri defines as comorbids, which also include OCD, ADD and ADHD. Some doctors have also labeled Asperger syndrome as a comorbid. Ferri’s goal in “Tragically Strong” is to let readers know that they are not alone and to understand that their differences are actually strengths if they learn how to make them so. Throughout the book, Ferri talks about real-life experiences in which she and others have used their differences to educate others and bring a greater understanding. The ultimate goal, according to Ferri, is to show readers with the conditions described in the book that they have control over their condition and their lives, and can make a difference.

“Tragically Strong” has a publishing date of January 27, 2018 and will be available on Amazon in paperback, as well as in the Kindle store. Ferri is also working on an audio version. For more information about the book, visit www.paulajeanferri.com.