I love books, and since you’re here, I guess you do too!
This site is for writers starting out in need of craft advice, as well as for authors further ahead on the journey looking for business help and a glimpse into the future of creativity.
I've been sharing my writing and publishing experience here since 2008, and I've been a full-time author entrepreneur since 2011, so you can learn from my mistakes and be more successful in your creative life.
You will find information and inspiration on writing, self-publishing, book marketing and how to make a living with your writing through my books, podcast, tools, and community.
You can buy books directly from me at CreativePennBooks.com for my books for authors, and JFPennBooks.com for my thrillers, fantasy, crime, memoir, and more.
If you want to jump straight into the content, go to Start Here, or read on for my story.
You can also click here to sign up for my free Author Blueprint, which contains everything you need to know to get started with writing, publishing, book marketing, and making a living with your writing.
Short Bio:
Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller, dark fantasy, crime, and memoir author as J.F. Penn. She’s an award-winning podcaster and creative entrepreneur.
The longer version!
Hello Creatives, I'm an Award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author as J.F. Penn, as well as writing non-fiction for authors.
I've sold over a million books to readers in 176 countries and 5 languages, as an independent (indie) author.
I'm also an international professional speaker and award-winning creative entrepreneur. In 2018, I was awarded Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World.
My show, The Creative Penn Podcast, has been downloaded over 9 million times in 228 countries.
I'm based in Bath, England although I lived in Australia and New Zealand for 11 years. I'm a travel junkie and am often away on book research trips to interesting places, which I share on my Books and Travel site.
I love walking, but also love relaxing with a book and a gin & tonic (Hendricks & Fever Tree Elderflower). I'm INFJ on the Myers Briggs, and Susan Cain's book, Quiet, changed my life when I realized that I was not weird in wanting to be alone a lot!
I spent 13 years as a business IT consultant in large corporates across Europe and Asia Pacific before becoming a full-time author-entrepreneur in September 2011.
Click here for my full timeline from first book to multi-six-figure author entrepreneur.
My journey …
I always dreamed of writing my own books, and spent many years thinking about it before I took the plunge.
I self-published my first non-fiction book
I joined National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in 2009 and 20,000 words later, I had a nugget of an idea that blossomed into my first novel.
In Feb 2011, I published my first thriller novel Pentecost, later republished as Stone of Fire. I blogged the journey and you can read all about the experience here. There are now 12 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.
In Nov 2013, I launched Desecration, the first in the Brooke and Daniel Psychological Crime Thriller series, 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 August 2016, I hit the USA Today bestseller list with my own ARKANE trilogy box-set.
In July 2017, my novel Destroyer of Worlds was a Finalist in the International Thriller Writer Award for Best Ebook Original.
In March 2024, my travel memoir, Pilgrimage: Lessons Learned from Solo Walking Three Ancient Ways, won Best Non-Fiction/Memoir at the Selfie Awards at London Book Fair.
On a more personal note, I love reading in diverse genres. My favorite authors include John Connolly, Stephen King, Jonathan Maberry, Lee Child and James Rollins. Here's a list of books I love. I also read a lot of non-fiction, mostly travel, entrepreneurship and self-help.
I’m married and live with my husband and two British shorthair cats, Cashew and Noisette, in Bath, England. I walk a lot and traveling is my addiction, so I also have a website with articles and a podcast at BooksAndTravel.page
I have a YouTube channel where I share writing and creative business tips as well as interviews on writing, publishing, and book marketing. You can also watch some videos that Amazon made about me and my writing life here.
Connect with me here:
Twitter @thecreativepenn (for writers)
Facebook.com/JFPennAuthor (for fiction)
If you're interested in thrillers, check out my author site: JFPenn.com
You can also contact me on this page.
Official Bio
Short bio:
Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller and memoir author as J.F.Penn. She’s also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker.
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1 2 3 … 9 Next »Found your site in my google reader ... not sure how it got there ... may have bee n via Absolutely*Kate, but who knows?
Thanks for the wealth of info and tips on self publishing. I have just finished a labour of love (35000 words) and am considering whether to self publish or to attempt the more traditional route. The latter oddly seems more daunting to me as I am fairly internet savvy.
What's interesting to me is the psychology around this decision. It feels to me that the traditional route offers earlier "validation" than self-publication. What I mean is, to answer the question "Is my book any good?", the traditional route would seem to offer a quicker answer than self-publication.
Robert aka Mulled Vine
Incredibly helpful material and very inspirational! Also, congratulations on your 1-year anniversary. In your quiz I suggested a question about agents and wanted to clarify: is there a possible role for an internet agent - similar to what you've been doing advising aspiring authors but more active on the publicity side? For example, I write about archetypes in daily life (among other things) on my blog, which can be accessed from my website myth.me.uk but which blogspot have not made easy to find! Maybe you could set up a Penn Friends Group which we could all network through. The benefits to you are obviously concerned with well-deserved publicity for your site, and you can probably see other opportunities too.....
Hi Jane,
There will definitely be a changing role for agents and there are people online who can do publicity for you. It can be expensive though hence why I DIY.
I do have a group people can join and network with each other here http://www.facebook.com/TheCreativePenn
Thanks, Joanna
I have just publish a book and need advice to market it. Are you one of thoes who say that you could help but charge lot of money for your help and advice?
Hi Satya,
You left a number of comments on my blog, so I hope this information helps you.
For information on marketing, all free, you can read the articles listed here
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/category/marketing-promotion/
and also listen to over 26 hours of free audios, many of which are on marketing here
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/podcasts/
You can also download the free Author 2.0 Blueprint here
http://www.author2zero.com
I give away most of my information and sell some courses - but I am not a ripoff artist as you suggest. All the best for your book,
Thanks, Joanna
How can i upload my book trailer video or link onto your site? thanks!
Are you selling anything, Ms. Penn? And if not, why? I mean why are you doing this? Just curious(ity killed th(we know the r(est))).
By the way, the Web address answers the question re. how I am.
Hi Matt, yes, I'm selling books! and have my first novel launching Feb 7th http://www.PentecostNovel.com
I also have some other online programs for sale - details here
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/store/
I did start off blogging for marketing but now I love it, I love helping people and sharing my lessons learned. It's addictive!
Here's more from my 2 year anniversary
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/12/04/reflections-on-two-years-of-blogging/
I hope that answers your questions! Thanks, Joanna
--More specifically how I am today, and tomorrow perhaps, but certainly not yesterday.
Thank you for your generosity in posting such helpful info on your blog. It's just great, I love the interview of you, your story has given me confidence.
I'm so glad the post helped you Wendy. I love the share the journey because we are all at different stages!
I stumbled onto your site and have been amazed. You offer an incredible amount of information, market research, and common sense.
Thanks for sharing your expertise with the newbies and lurkers!
Thanks Lisa - I'm glad you're finding it all useful! I've blogged the journey, so do let me know any questions.
Hi JoAnna - Love your books. I am writing my first children's book for 4-8 year olds. Any words of advise?
Leonard
Hi Leonard, I'm not a children's writer myself, but I have interviewed a couple.
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/12/08/writing-for-children-with-simon-cheshire/
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/06/27/podcast-writing-books-for-children-with-fiona-ingram/
and there have also been some guest posts
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/09/01/the-accidental-author-lessons-learned-from-writing-a-children%e2%80%99s-book/
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2011/09/27/childrens-book-tips/
I also recommend the blog
http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/
I hope that helps. Thanks, Joanna