Picture a British storyteller who swapped spreadsheets for spine-chilling thrillers and fantasy adventures—meet J.F. Penn! Born Joanna Frances Penn in Bath, England, she’s an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author whose fast-paced tales have sold over a million books across 176 countries. From ancient artifacts to supernatural mysteries, Penn’s stories captivate readers worldwide, while her platform, TheCreativePenn.com, empowers aspiring authors to chase their dreams.
With her ARKANE thrillers likened to 'Dan Brown meets Lara Croft,' Penn weaves global intrigue and a touch of the otherworldly. Beyond fiction, her journey from IT consultant to creative entrepreneur is a masterclass in reinvention, making her a beacon for self-publishers everywhere.
The Making of J.F. Penn
Joanna Penn grew up in Bath, England, with a knack for storytelling and a thirst for adventure. Armed with a Master’s in Theology from Oxford and a postgraduate diploma in Psychology, she spent 13 years as a business IT consultant, jetting across Europe and Asia Pacific. But the corporate grind left her yearning for creativity. In 2008, she took a leap, penning her first book and launching TheCreativePenn.com to share her hard-earned lessons. By 2011, she was a full-time author-entrepreneur, fueled by her love for travel, gin, and quiet moments inspired by Susan Cain’s Quiet.
J.F. Penn’s Unforgettable Stories
As J.F. Penn, she crafts thrillers and dark fantasy that pulse with action and supernatural flair. Her ARKANE series, starring ex-Israeli military psychologist Morgan Sierra, dives into historical artifacts and secret societies. Stone of Fire (2011), the series opener, follows Morgan’s quest for the Pentecost stones, blending archaeology with high-stakes adventure. Crypt of Bone (2012) deepens the supernatural edge, earning praise for its eerie atmosphere.
Penn’s Mapwalker trilogy, like Map of Shadows (2018), explores a split-world fantasy where map-wielders navigate the Borderlands. Her Brooke & Daniel series, including Desecration (2013), tackles dark crimes in London with psychological depth. Short stories like A Thousand Fiendish Angels, inspired by Dante’s Inferno, showcase her versatility. Penn’s style—vivid, research-rich, and globetrotting—reflects her travel junkie spirit, with settings from Egypt to New Zealand.
Her non-fiction, under Joanna Penn, like Successful Self-Publishing (2015), guides writers through the indie publishing maze. With over 40 books, her work spans thrillers, fantasy, crime, horror, and memoir, each rooted in her fascination with religion, psychology, and the unknown.
Why J.F. Penn Matters
J.F. Penn’s impact transcends her gripping stories. As an indie author, she’s a trailblazer, proving self-publishing can rival traditional routes. TheCreativePenn.com, voted among Writer’s Digest’s top 100 sites, offers free resources, a podcast with over 10 million downloads, and an Author Blueprint, empowering countless writers. Her awards, including a 2017 International Thriller Writers nomination for Destroyer of Worlds, cement her influence. Penn’s global reach and candid journey inspire creatives to embrace risk and build lasting legacies.
- Born: Joanna Frances Penn in Bath, England
- Key Works: ARKANE series, Mapwalker trilogy, Successful Self-Publishing
- Awards: 2017 International Thriller Writers Award finalist, 2018 Publishing Commentator of the Year
- Fun Fact: Loves Hendricks gin and travel-inspired research trips
Snag Stone of Fire and dive into J.F. Penn’s thrilling world of artifacts and adventure!