YA Novel "Mouth Shut Head Down" Takes Coercive Control Of Our Kids Head On
Wed Jan 28 2026
Mouth Shut Head Down is a new, young adult novel that released today. It is already sporting a #1 New Releases in Teen & Young Adult Alternative Family Fiction on Amazon! That ranking is not surprising considering the time and attention the author Geraldine Donaher has given the subject matter - child sex trafficking and coercive control. The subject is heavy and uncomfortable but it is reality and the more we know about it as parents and citizens the better chance we have of saving our 12 to 15 year olds from it. Our children need to know that if they are in a coercive control (sex trafficked) relationship, that there is hope - that they have agency and autonomy.
Geraldine Donaher researched the subject of sex trafficking for six years before she attempted to a write this non-salacious, ya story about it. If kids read it and recognize it, that can learn how to stay away from it or get out of it, that they are not alone! Mouth Shut Head Down tells the story of two girls, Allee and Tanaya, who live in Philadelphia. Through their story, Donaher illustrates how coercive control can happen, what it looks like, what the warning signs are and how kids can use their agency and autonomy to get out. This is not a guess at what goes on in our very own American neighborhoods, it’s a very real, very frightening reality that society as a whole is finally learning about.
***For the writers writing about sensitive material, Gerri discusses her use of sensitivity readers***
Geraldine invites listeners/readers who are interested to join her at her book launch at Immaculata University this Sat, Jan 31st from 2:00 to 5:00. Please email Gerri at gerridonaher@gmail.com for more information and to reserve a seat.
***Call to Action *** Also, if you would like to see Mouth Shut Head Down in your child’s school library, send a note to Geraldine’s Publisher at Parisian Phoenix Publishing - a popular demand push will get it there! Angel Ackerman at angel@parisianphoenix.com.
Resources Mentioned in the Podcast:
Covenant House
Soul Survivor Ink Organization
Clover Tattoo in Lancaster, PA - @Clovertattoopa (Instagram)
Geraldine Donaher Website with more information
Gerri’s first novel, Still (a Claudine favorite)
Sign Up For Gerri’s Substack Newsletter: The Writer’s Flashlight
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Claudine stuff:
Thank you for listening to this podcast episode!
*** Upgrade Your Subscription to get every one of my Substack Posts & Podcast episodes in your mailbox! Check out the goodies that you receive with a paid subscription (book marketing plan, book marketing map and much more..)
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If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, please share the podcast episode to help them with their dreams of getting successfully published.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe
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Mouth Shut Head Down is a new, young adult novel that released today. It is already sporting a #1 New Releases in Teen & Young Adult Alternative Family Fiction on Amazon! That ranking is not surprising considering the time and attention the author Geraldine Donaher has given the subject matter - child sex trafficking and coercive control. The subject is heavy and uncomfortable but it is reality and the more we know about it as parents and citizens the better chance we have of saving our 12 to 15 year olds from it. Our children need to know that if they are in a coercive control (sex trafficked) relationship, that there is hope - that they have agency and autonomy. Geraldine Donaher researched the subject of sex trafficking for six years before she attempted to a write this non-salacious, ya story about it. If kids read it and recognize it, that can learn how to stay away from it or get out of it, that they are not alone! Mouth Shut Head Down tells the story of two girls, Allee and Tanaya, who live in Philadelphia. Through their story, Donaher illustrates how coercive control can happen, what it looks like, what the warning signs are and how kids can use their agency and autonomy to get out. This is not a guess at what goes on in our very own American neighborhoods, it’s a very real, very frightening reality that society as a whole is finally learning about. ***For the writers writing about sensitive material, Gerri discusses her use of sensitivity readers*** Geraldine invites listeners/readers who are interested to join her at her book launch at Immaculata University this Sat, Jan 31st from 2:00 to 5:00. Please email Gerri at gerridonaher@gmail.com for more information and to reserve a seat. ***Call to Action *** Also, if you would like to see Mouth Shut Head Down in your child’s school library, send a note to Geraldine’s Publisher at Parisian Phoenix Publishing - a popular demand push will get it there! Angel Ackerman at angel@parisianphoenix.com. Resources Mentioned in the Podcast: Covenant House Soul Survivor Ink Organization Clover Tattoo in Lancaster, PA - @Clovertattoopa (Instagram) Geraldine Donaher Website with more information Gerri’s first novel, Still (a Claudine favorite) Sign Up For Gerri’s Substack Newsletter: The Writer’s Flashlight ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Claudine stuff: Thank you for listening to this podcast episode! *** Upgrade Your Subscription to get every one of my Substack Posts & Podcast episodes in your mailbox! Check out the goodies that you receive with a paid subscription (book marketing plan, book marketing map and much more..) *** Please take a minute to rate the podcast - we want to spread this help and encouragement for authors and more ratings will help us get there! If you know a writer or an aspiring writer, please share the podcast episode to help them with their dreams of getting successfully published. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claudinewolk.substack.com/subscribe