News Summary
Jean Hoover, a 77-year-old author and founder of her publishing company, releases ‘Jacksonville Unplugged’, a local guidebook that reveals the hidden gems of Jacksonville. The book targets both tourists and residents, drawing from Hoover’s life experiences after returning from Europe and Los Angeles. Known for her imaginative writing and strong characters, Hoover shares her journey from aspiring writer to published author while encouraging other authors through her knowledge and experiences.
Jacksonville – Jean Hoover, a 77-year-old author and founder of her own publishing company, is making waves in her hometown with the release of her new local guidebook titled Jacksonville Unplugged. Aimed at both tourists and residents, the guidebook serves as a tool to help people discover the hidden gems of Jacksonville, where Hoover has lived for many years. Returning to the city after spending time in Europe and Los Angeles, Hoover draws on her extensive experiences to provide unique insights into the local culture and attractions.
A native of Jacksonville since the age of 12, Hoover’s journey into the world of writing began in the ninth grade, when a creative writing class shifted her career aspirations from nursing to authorship. Throughout her school years, she faced bullying for being different, but writing became her refuge, allowing her to create stories that transported her to imaginary worlds. An influential teacher recognized her potential early on, predicting she would become an author, which undoubtedly contributed to her resolve to pursue a writing career.
Hoover published her first book in 2000 under the pen name Jennifer Ferranno, and since then, she has gained a respected reputation within the writing community. Her fiction often starts with the thematic question, “What if?” which sparks her imagination and propels her storytelling. One of her notable works, Harlow’s Castle, went through extensive revisions, experiencing multiple title and character changes before reaching its final form.
In her writing, Hoover emphasizes character development by focusing on strong, independent protagonists and avoiding helpless female leads or domineering male characters seeking to take control of the narrative. Each of her stories is standalone, ensuring a complete experience for readers without the need for sequels. While she writes nonfiction under her real name, her fiction work is credited to Ferranno.
Despite facing challenges with the structural requirements of nonfiction writing, Hoover has managed to publish her works more quickly than her fiction. She self-publishes through her company, Hoover-Ferrano, maintaining creative control and often avoiding alterations mandated by traditional publishers. Initially, Hoover held beliefs about the benefits of hiring hybrid publishers to assist with publication, but over time, she transitioned to a completely self-driven publishing model. To support aspiring authors, Hoover shares her knowledge via Facebook groups, advising them on common pitfalls she faced throughout her career.
In addition to her writing endeavors, Hoover has developed new methods to honor her late father’s poetry, utilizing modern technologies like ChatGPT to bring his handwritten works into publishable formats. She is currently working on a new fiction project tentatively titled Teddy, which parallels a previous story named Dakota Pass but is set in Texas.
In her downtime, Hoover indulges in reading thrillers, particularly enjoying works from authors such as Brad Thor, JD Robb, and David Baldacci. With her resolve to inspire both her community and burgeoning writers, Jean Hoover continues to make an indelible mark on the literary landscape of Jacksonville.
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Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
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