There are only 22 days until the release of The Regulars of Amanda Lexie. I’ve had a surreal first launch, and if you’ll humor me, I’d love to tell you all about it. First, I know you’re all wondering. Where can you order this book? I’m pleased to say it will be available through allContinue reading “It’s almost time!”
Author Archives: Jori (J.J.) Hanna
Reflections from Over a Decade in the Publishing Industry
It feels impossible that I’ve been in the publishing industry for over a decade. In that time, I’ve self-published, worked as a literary agent, an acquisitions editor, a developmental editor, a cover designer, and a book marketer. My clients range from independent authors to traditionally published authors with large houses. As I look back onContinue reading “Reflections from Over a Decade in the Publishing Industry”
Thriller and Mystery Books and Authors Influencing My Writing
No author writes in a vacuum, although we do our best to avoid blatant duplication wherever we can. I’m no exception to this rule. As such, I wanted to give credit where it is due to the books that have most impacted me over the years and that have helped inform the types of storiesContinue reading “Thriller and Mystery Books and Authors Influencing My Writing”
The Regulars of Amanda Lexie
Releasing August 11, 2026 from Torchflame Books Early Praise for The Regulars of Amanda Lexie “In J. J. Hanna’s quirky mystery novel The Regulars of Amanda Lexie, a coffee shop’s customers are tied to a cybercrime sting. … Humor is generated through people’s reluctance to make too much small talk; most prefer to evade directContinue reading “The Regulars of Amanda Lexie”
Christmas Chaos: a Slice of Life Short Story
© J. J. Hanna 2024 “This store is chaos,” Annie said into the phone as she frantically tried to maneuver her cart out of the aisle she’d been blocked into. “That’s what you get for leaving your shopping to the last minute,” Rachel quipped. “Have you found anything good?” “Legos for my nephew, a newContinue reading “Christmas Chaos: a Slice of Life Short Story”
Off the Path: a Halloween Story
J. J. Hanna © 2024 It was the time of year when forests always seemed to beckon visitors off the path. Most of the time, trees are what they seem: strong, stoic plants that guard the wild spaces. They are wood and greenery, alive yet locked in place and limited to wherever their roots areContinue reading “Off the Path: a Halloween Story”
Be Who You Are, Not Who Others Think You Should Be
Author Profile: E.M. Goldsmith In the quiet morning, you may rush through your breakfast, and your coffee, and quickly head off to work. But for author E.M. Goldsmith, the quiet mornings before her 9-5 job are when she carves out the time to work on her craft. Warming up her mind at 5 a.m. withContinue reading “Be Who You Are, Not Who Others Think You Should Be”
Book Review: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
🖋 🖋🖋🖋🖋 This book is expertly written and I enjoyed every part of it—the humor, the foreshadowing, the red herrings, the playing on and pulling on expectations to subvert them. This is a master class in gritty comedy, and a beautiful example of how to use a genre to pull off one of the mostContinue reading “Book Review: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson”
Humanity At Home
J. J. Hanna © 2023 The older I’ve gotten, the more at home I feel in coffee shops and cafes. There’s something distinctly comforting about the constant hums of machinery, the smells of freshly ground and brewed coffee beans, and the atmosphere of groups of strangers sharing intimate moments. The environment itself is welcoming, theContinue reading “Humanity At Home”
Short Story: A Very Pembrook Christmas
J. J. Hanna © 2021 Betty pushed through the front door, and I pushed my laptop off of my lap and ran to help her. Her arms were full of bags banging against the glass. “What did you do? Buy the whole store?” She smiled at him, her bright pink hair peeking out from underContinue reading “Short Story: A Very Pembrook Christmas”