I'm J.F. (Joanna Frances) Penn, an Award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author.
My books blend my love of traveling and learning new things with psychology and the supernatural in a fast-paced style. I'm also an international professional speaker and award-winning creative entrepreneur.
I love reading and always dreamed of writing my own books, but I spent many years thinking about it before I actually took the plunge. However, I did write a lot of journals during my many years as a corporate business consultant!
I have a Masters degree in Theology from the University of Oxford, Mansfield College and also a Graduate Diploma in Psychology – both interests are entwined into my writing along with my love for travel.
There are now 10 books in the ARKANE action adventure thriller series, described by readers as ‘Dan Brown meets Lara Croft.’
In early 2013, I wrote a series of short stories based on Dante’s Inferno for Kobo’s Descent contest, a promo for the launch of Dan Brown’s Inferno. It’s now available as A Thousand Fiendish Angels. I narrated the audiobook myself.
In Nov 2013, I launched Desecration, the first in the London Crime Thriller trilogy, which debuted in the Amazon US Bestseller Crime list alongside Michael Connelly. Delirium and Deviance complete the trilogy. Readers have described the books as ‘the love child of Stephen King and PD James.’
In March 2014, I became a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author as part of ‘Deadly Dozen,’ a box-set with The Twelve thriller and mystery authors.
In 2015, I co-wrote Risen Gods, a dark fantasy thriller based in New Zealand, with horror author J.Thorn.
In July 2017, my novel Destroyer of Worlds was a Finalist in the International Thriller Writer Award for Best Ebook Original.
On a more personal note, I love reading in diverse genres on my Kindle and I put my book reviews on Goodreads. You can connect with me here. My favorite genre authors include John Connolly, Stephen King, Lisa Gardner, Lee Child and James Rollins. Here’s a list of books I love. I also read a lot of non-fiction, mostly travel, entrepreneurship, psychology and religion.
I’m married and live with my husband in Bath, England. I’m a cat lover and I enjoy a glass of pinot noir along with consuming a ton of ebooks as my main vice. I walk a lot and travelling is my addiction. I definitely have itchy foot syndrome and I love to move on!
You can see lots of pictures from my life here on Flickr, including my travels, adventures and writing inspiration. I also share updates on what I'm working on here, as well as on social media as below.
I have another site, BooksAndTravel.page, where I have articles and a podcast about places that inspire my writing as well as that of other writers.
Connect with me here:
If you’re interested in writing, you might want to check out my site for writers: www.TheCreativePenn.com or tweet me: @thecreativepenn
Official Bio
Short bio:
J.F.Penn is the Award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the ARKANE supernatural thrillers, London Psychic crime series, dark fantasy novels and short stories. Her books weave together ancient artifacts, relics of power, international locations and adventure at the edges of faith. Joanna lives in Bath, England and enjoys a nice G&T.
