Works
Darling, You're Not Alone (2022)
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"How do you believe in the light when all you've seen, known and felt is the dark?"
Big dreams aren’t common in the small everytown of Darling, Colorado, but fifteen-year-old Phoenix Iver doesn’t seem to believe in much of anything. As a tortured young soul with crippling, episodes of social anxiety and depression, Phoenix believes he is completely alone in this confusing world. As a result of these chronic, frightening visions, Phoenix leans heavily on his father, local police officer Herman, for comfort. Although, with a past and present both equally cloaked in mystery, Phoenix’s understanding of who his father truly is remains unclear. But the one thing Phoenix does surely know about Herman is that he believes. He believes that the good always wins. He believes that the light will always prevail. He believes that we are all connected in life, and somehow, he also believes that we are connected in what comes after life.
Then, on the brink of finally discovering the answers to the origins of his dark thoughts and the secrets of his father’s past, Phoenix walks into the library at Darling High one stormy, snowy morning in 1999. Trailing just moments behind Phoenix are two students, who, instead of holding books, are holding handguns. Unleashing a torrent of catastrophic magnitude, the once quiet town of Darling becomes the epicenter of the worst school shooting in US history. Lives are lost. And if Phoenix couldn’t believe in the light before, how can he possibly believe in it now? |
"Darling You're Not Alone builds to rich emotional payoffs, stirring tears with characters' backstories and heartfelt letters, as Slajchert illuminates deep pain can influence behavior—and how the incredible gift of healing words can transform lives. Anyone who has ever wished for just one more communication with a loved one will see themselves on every page of Slajchert's skillfully told story."
~ Publishers Weekly Book Life
~ Publishers Weekly Book Life
Joining the Choir Invisible (2021)
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"If it is acting not out of love, then what?"
Near the bottom of the bottle, two strangers caught behind the wind of a snowstorm in Smithers, British Columbia quarrel over living with the dead. In his first experiment with the art of short story, JD Slajchert drops a potent mixture of cutting dialogue and bone chilling cold. A bittersweet slice of life that leaves you at the edge.
~ Much of the inspiration comes from reading many of the shorter works of Salinger, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Joyce and many others. The characters themselves, are born out of ideas and themes, not necessarily people. The conversation is one that is meant to speak towards much more than a story, but society at large. This is JD Slajchert's first project with Summer House Publishing. |
MoonFlower: Charity Edition (2019)
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The MoonFlower Charity Edition is a project created to help raise both funding and awareness for Sickle Cell Disease. Author, JD Slajchert, lost his best friend Luc Bodden to this illness when Luc was only ten years old. JD dedicated his debut novel MoonFlower to Luc and his family. Although, their friendship is one that goes deeper than just the text inside of JD’s hit fictional book. JD is currently the Director of Relationship Development for The LucStrong Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that supports families with children that are diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease. Through their partnership they have taken it upon themselves to not only tell Luc’s story, but to also try and help all of the others affected by SCD. In partnering with Luc’s primary physician at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Dr. Kris M. Mahadeo, the MoonFlower Charity Edition was born. In this special edition of JD’s debut novel, you will find a foreword written by Dr. Kris M. Mahadeo who was Luc’s doctor during his bone marrow transplant in 2013 and is now the Section Chief and Director for Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. There is also a letter to Luc written by JD himself as well as photos of Luc Bodden selected by his family. The price of $27.88 comes from two of Luc's favorite athletes, Matt Kemp #27 and Dez Bryant #88.
All of the profits raised from this book will be donated to The LucStrong Foundation in the hopes of finding an affordable cure for Sickle Cell Disease. |
MoonFlower (2018)
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As a Division I basketball player and co-parent to his chronically ill little sister Lee, Tim Dexter isn’t your average college kid. With an enormous amount of responsibility on his shoulders, TD’s only true escape is his adventurous, gorgeous, and mysteriously named friend, Emma Rey Finley. From their first day of college, Emm brings a much-needed, addictively playful sense of mystery and excitement into TD’s life. Whether they were texting in coded messages, going on “missions” to find the best ice cream in town, or finding a way to put a smile on Lee’s face, TD believes his unique bond with Emm to be both ethereal and eternal. When, in the summer before their senior year, Emm invites TD to spend ten days with her in Europe, he finds himself on the greatest adventure imaginable. Lost in a whirlwind of freedom and whimsy, TD soon realizes that his feelings for Emm aren’t merely about friendship, yet he’s hesitant to risk their extraordinary bond. As their senior year begins, things start to change between TD and Emm. Afraid of losing her forever—and amid the most important season of his athletic career—TD spends months devising a plan to confess his feelings. But just when he’s ready to proclaim his love to his best friend, the unthinkable happens.
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"MoonFlower is raw, real, and emotional. It's about unconditional love in its purest form. JD Slajchert expertly balances heartbreak and hope in this inspired debut novel."
~ J. Bengtsson, Author of the Cake Book Series "This book is an instant classic. It will take you on a journey through every emotion as it tells the story of love and loss. Slajchert has a way of connecting to the reader in a way that makes you feel a part of the story the whole time. Highly recommend this book to anyone."
~ Amazon Customer |
"MoonFlower takes you on a journey of emotion filled with many twists and turns that keeps you wanting more. The book is filled with relatable moments and JD did an incredible job of telling a beautiful story that will have you crying, smiling, and everything in between."
~ Jake Kelfer, Bestselling Author of Elevate Beyond and Elevate Your Network "This book was absolutely remarkable. Touched on so many emotions. Huge reminder of how fragile yet strong we are. Made me aware of a disease that I knew little about. Bravo JD Slajchert. Well done."
~ Amazon Customer |
