About

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First, here's a quick, third-person bio you can grab for an author feature or conference program.
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Janeen Ippolito believes in profound fun. She is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy author of 27+ books, writing steampunk fantasy, urban fantasy, fairy tales, and superhero stories that blend escapism and fresh story worlds with plenty of plot twists and hope-filled endings. Behind the scenes, Janeen is an experienced author coach, editor, and speaker, with 16 years of industry experience, including seven years as the CEO of a publishing house. When she’s not writing, she swordfights, cooks fun food, mood-reads, and plays the ukulele.
Connect with her at jiauthor.com.

Okay, let's go deeper

I'm a huge fan of the following three things:

Fantastical Worlds
As a dye-in-the-wool geek, hanging out in scifi and fantasy worlds is my jam. You name the fandom and I'm either in it, I've heard of it, or I'm Googling it as we speak. My worlds often involve people with different backgrounds and abilities. Since I've traveled a lot (and have a handy degree in Cross-Cultural Studies), I love stories that showcase cross-cultural interactions, romance, and adventures. When you dive into one of my books, expect to explore spectacular new worlds.

Marvelous Misfits
As someone who is highly neurodivergent, I've always felt a little out-of-sync with life in general. Add to that childhood travel (Air Force brat), and I have a soft spot for characters who don't quite fit in with the rest of the world - but stick around to do the right thing anyway. One thing you'll always find in my stories is marvelous misfits who persevere despite ridiculous odds (and people thinking they're weird).

Profoundly Fun Stories
Stories have always been my favorite safe place amid all the moves and life changes. And as a driven adult, I've learned over and again how important it is to find moments of deep escape, adventure, and joy when the workload piles up and life is way, way too much. Adventure, mystery, thrills, cozy moments, romantic subplots, and laughter are great medicine!

Whether it be through stories that make you hope (even when life sucks), insightful author help that equips and encourages (even in the trenches), or just a funny question or meme, I hope you come away from my work inspired and ready to take on life.

A few random facts...

I met my husband swordfighting in college.
I fenced in middle and high school, won medals, and then started full contact sparring in college. That’s when this fun guy with curly hair showed up. And I’m honored to help him in his youth swordfighting ministry to this day.
I can see sounds, feel sounds, taste words, and numbers/letters have personalities.
Yup, I'm highly synesthetic (9 types and counting).
I will try any food you put in front of me.
I’m gluten and dairy free (due to not wanting to be sick and unalived), but I’m also a massive foodie, so if won’t make me sick, I’ll give it a try. Fun things I’ve eaten include tarantula, raw quail egg, and fish eyeballs.
I'm a massive info-junkie.
I enjoy researching just about everything, from the latest publishing news to philosophy to the world building of Harry Potter (even though I’ve only read the first two books, though I have seen all the movies - also, I would test into all the houses, but would likely end up in Hufflepuff because I like a chill, low-drama environment).

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