Picture a storyteller who weaves the rugged beauty of the American Southwest into tales of friendship, resilience, and love—meet Jo-Ann Mapson! This bestselling author has captured hearts with her contemporary women’s fiction, blending vivid landscapes with the raw, relatable struggles of ordinary people. From her debut novel to her beloved Bad Girl Creek series, Mapson’s stories resonate with warmth and authenticity, making her a cherished voice in modern literature.
Born in California and now calling Anchorage, Alaska, home, Mapson’s journey from a horse-loving dreamer to a celebrated author is as inspiring as her books. With twelve novels, a passion for teaching, and a knack for crafting unforgettable characters, she’s left an indelible mark on readers and aspiring writers alike.
The Making of Jo-Ann Mapson
Jo-Ann Mapson was born on March 29, 1952, in Pasadena, California, growing up in Fullerton as the middle child of five. With limited resources, she found escape in reading and horseback riding, sneaking over neighbors’ fences to ride their horses. Initially, her creative writing ambitions faced resistance; she dropped out of college to marry but later earned a B.A. in English/Creative Writing from California State University, Long Beach, and an M.F.A. from Vermont College in 1992. Odd jobs—teaching riding, cleaning houses, and retail—kept her afloat until she turned to full-time writing in 1996, fueled by a love for storytelling and the influence of authors like Wallace Stegner.
Jo-Ann Mapson’s Unforgettable Stories
Mapson’s novels, often set in the starkly beautiful Southwest, explore the complexities of women’s lives—friendship, family, and healing from past wounds. Her debut, Hank & Chloe (1993), introduces a tough yet tender couple navigating love and life in Arizona, setting the tone for her emotionally rich style. The Bad Girl Creek series, starting with Bad Girl Creek (2001), a Los Angeles Times bestseller, follows four women running a flower farm, their resilience and bonds shining through hardship. Solomon’s Oak (2010), which won the ALA RUSA Award, tells of a widow, a foster teen, and a former cop finding solace on a California farm, with the landscape as a vivid character.
Mapson’s writing is known for its lyrical prose, deep empathy, and meticulous research—she read over 200 books to capture New Mexico’s essence in Blue Rodeo (1994), later adapted into a CBS TV movie starring Kris Kristofferson. Her stories blend humor and heartache, celebrating the strength of ordinary people overcoming extraordinary odds, often with animals like horses and dogs as loyal companions.
Why Jo-Ann Mapson Matters
Jo-Ann Mapson’s impact lies in her ability to make the personal universal, crafting stories that resonate with readers seeking hope and connection. Her focus on women’s friendships and the healing power of community has earned her a loyal following, with books like Bad Girl Creek hailed as a “valentine to good women” by USA Today. As a core faculty member of the University of Alaska Anchorage’s MFA program, she’s mentored writers like Heather Lende and Earlene Fowler, shaping the next generation of storytellers. Her papers, housed in Boston University’s Twentieth Century Authors Collection, cement her literary legacy.
- Born: March 29, 1952, Pasadena, California
- Key Works: Hank & Chloe, Bad Girl Creek, Solomon’s Oak, Blue Rodeo
- Awards: ALA RUSA Award for Solomon’s Oak
- Fun Fact: Mapson owns a 35-year-old Appaloosa and credits horse riding with teaching her to trust her writing process.
Ready to dive into Jo-Ann Mapson’s heartfelt world? Grab Solomon’s Oak or Bad Girl Creek and let her soulful storytelling sweep you away!