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A brief biography
Jo-Anne grew up in Brisbane Australia but is now based in Sydney. She holds degrees in Arts and Theology and worked as a high school teacher, editor and secretary, as well as in local church ministry, before undertaking her writing journey. Jo-Anne loves encouraging others through both the written and spoken word. She writes a weekly blog and also speaks regularly at both church and community groups.
Jo-Anne's books
Jo-Anne has written seven novels and four non-fiction works. In 2007, her debut novel Heléna was released, followed by its sequel All The Days of My Life in 2008, Laura in 2009, Jenna in 2010 and Heléna's Legacy in 2011.
In 2012, Jo-Anne's first non-fiction work, Soul Friend: The story of a shared spiritual journey, was published. For more information about this book, click here. For more information about spiritual mentoring and related topics, click here.
In 2013, her sixth novel, The Inheritance was released, followed by her second non-fiction work, Becoming Me: Finding my true self in God in 2016. For more information about this book, click here.
Jo-Anne released her seventh novel, Down by the Water, in 2020. Then in 2024, her third non-fiction work, Swansong: start creating your legacy of life-giving words was published by Authentic Media UK. This was followed in 2025 hy a fourth non-fiction work, God Moments: 101 little lessons for life's journey, also published by Authentic Media UK. For more information about these two books, please click here.
Why I write
Some years ago, I was travelling with a friend in Turkey. I was at a turning point in my life, and was sitting reading my bible and praying one day, asking God to show me the way ahead. Here is what I recorded in my journal on that occasion:
Isaiah 42:9 - ‘See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.' Lord, I know the former things are gone, but please open my ears to hear you announce the ‘new things'!
I then turned to my bible again, and the very next words I read were these: "Hear, you deaf: look, you blind, and see! Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one committed to me, blind like the servant of the Lord? You have seen many things, but have paid no attention, your ears are open, but you hear nothing." (Isaiah 43:18-20)
I immediately felt this was a gentle ‘wake-up call' for me from God. It was as if God were saying, almost with a sigh: Jo-Anne, you know I've already shown you what to do next! Go home and start writing!' And that is what I did.
It had long been a dream of mine to write, but I had always felt this was not quite a legitimate way to spend my time. Now I think otherwise. Now I am convinced it is what God wants me to do at this stage in my life, along with speaking. More than that, I sense God is delighted to see me fulfilling more of the purpose for which I was created.
I hope and pray my books will make a difference in the lives of my readers. I hope and pray many will hear the heartbeat of God in them and allow their own hearts to be touched in the process.
To find out more about Jo-Anne and her writing journey., please listen to Michelle Dennis Evans's interview with her in August 2025:
Jo-Anne grew up in Brisbane Australia but is now based in Sydney. She holds degrees in Arts and Theology and worked as a high school teacher, editor and secretary, as well as in local church ministry, before undertaking her writing journey. Jo-Anne loves encouraging others through both the written and spoken word. She writes a weekly blog and also speaks regularly at both church and community groups.
Jo-Anne's books
Jo-Anne has written seven novels and four non-fiction works. In 2007, her debut novel Heléna was released, followed by its sequel All The Days of My Life in 2008, Laura in 2009, Jenna in 2010 and Heléna's Legacy in 2011.
In 2012, Jo-Anne's first non-fiction work, Soul Friend: The story of a shared spiritual journey, was published. For more information about this book, click here. For more information about spiritual mentoring and related topics, click here.
In 2013, her sixth novel, The Inheritance was released, followed by her second non-fiction work, Becoming Me: Finding my true self in God in 2016. For more information about this book, click here.
Jo-Anne released her seventh novel, Down by the Water, in 2020. Then in 2024, her third non-fiction work, Swansong: start creating your legacy of life-giving words was published by Authentic Media UK. This was followed in 2025 hy a fourth non-fiction work, God Moments: 101 little lessons for life's journey, also published by Authentic Media UK. For more information about these two books, please click here.
Why I write
Some years ago, I was travelling with a friend in Turkey. I was at a turning point in my life, and was sitting reading my bible and praying one day, asking God to show me the way ahead. Here is what I recorded in my journal on that occasion:
Isaiah 42:9 - ‘See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.' Lord, I know the former things are gone, but please open my ears to hear you announce the ‘new things'!
I then turned to my bible again, and the very next words I read were these: "Hear, you deaf: look, you blind, and see! Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one committed to me, blind like the servant of the Lord? You have seen many things, but have paid no attention, your ears are open, but you hear nothing." (Isaiah 43:18-20)
I immediately felt this was a gentle ‘wake-up call' for me from God. It was as if God were saying, almost with a sigh: Jo-Anne, you know I've already shown you what to do next! Go home and start writing!' And that is what I did.
It had long been a dream of mine to write, but I had always felt this was not quite a legitimate way to spend my time. Now I think otherwise. Now I am convinced it is what God wants me to do at this stage in my life, along with speaking. More than that, I sense God is delighted to see me fulfilling more of the purpose for which I was created.
I hope and pray my books will make a difference in the lives of my readers. I hope and pray many will hear the heartbeat of God in them and allow their own hearts to be touched in the process.
To find out more about Jo-Anne and her writing journey., please listen to Michelle Dennis Evans's interview with her in August 2025: