We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joanne Fisher a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Joanne, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?

As an indie author, I show appreciation for my readers by connecting with them in warm, personal ways, which is something I enjoy doing. I offer simple gestures like heartfelt thank‑you notes, free gifts when my readers buy from me in person, shout‑outs on social media, or highlighting favorite reader reviews help people feel seen and valued. I also offer exclusive extras such as bonus short stories, behind‑the‑scenes insights, recipes tied to my “Christmas In…” series, or early peeks at upcoming books. These give my audience something special that strengthens my bond with them.

I also try to build community through reader‑focused events, giveaways, newsletters, or even a small “Readers’ Circle” with VIP perks that I do at a local coffee shop. I add gratitude in my book acknowledgments or website letting readers know how much they matter to me. I do my best to keep my voice authentic, warm, enthusiastic and generous. This keeps my readers connected to me and my stories.

Joanne, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Joanne Fisher, a Canadian‑Italian‑American indie author based in Central Florida. I write murder/mystery, historical fiction, and steamy romance, and I’m known for my Italian‑flavored Christmas In… series (Venice, Florence, Rome, Milan, Verona, Naples), complete with authentic recipes. I also pen the Traveling Boomers guides to help readers explore the world with confidence. I help budding authors realize their goals with hands‑on formatting, cover work, KDP uploads, and practical publishing guidance. Community matters to me: I’m a former President and Lifetime Member of the Space Coast Writers Guild. Away from the page, I teach Italian at our local Italian‑American club. Currently, I’m editing my Florida thriller, **Blood in the Everglades**. Connect with my books, events, and appearances at www.JoannesBooks.com or send me an email at joannes_books@outlook.com

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

A Story That Illustrates My Resilience
Resilience, for me, has never been about one dramatic moment—it’s been about learning how to begin again, more than once, in different countries, cultures, and stages of life.
I was born in Canada to Italian immigrant parents, and at twenty my world shifted when our family moved to Italy. Leaving behind everything familiar forced me to grow up quickly, adapt to a new language and culture, and learn how to find my footing without certainty. Years later, after marrying and raising my children, I returned to Canada following my father’s death, a loss that changed the direction of my life profoundly. That transition was followed by the end of my marriage, and suddenly I found myself rebuilding not just a home, but an identity, from the ground up.
What carried me through wasn’t a perfect plan, it was creativity. Writing became both refuge and lifeline. I didn’t start with grand expectations; I started by telling stories that mattered to me, drawing from love, loss, travel, heritage, and reinvention. Over time, those stories turned into books, then into a career, and eventually into a community of readers and writers I’m proud to support. [joannesbooks.com]
My final move, to Florida, felt less like an escape and more like a homecoming. It was there that I found stability, love again, and the confidence to fully step into my role not just as an author, but as a mentor and leader within the writing community, including serving as president of the Space Coast Writers’ Guild. [joannesbooks.com]
Resilience taught me that reinvention isn’t failure, it’s courage. Every time life asked me to start over, I answered with a blank page. And I’ve learned that as long as you’re willing to write the next chapter, your story is never over.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is connection—knowing that something I created in solitude has traveled into someone else’s life and meant something to them.
Writing begins alone. It’s just me, a blank page, and a story that wants to be told. But once a book is released, it stops being mine and becomes a shared experience. When a reader tells me that a story comforted them during a difficult time, made them feel seen, or inspired them to travel, love, or even write again—that’s when the work truly comes alive. That sense of connection is something I never take for granted. [joannesbooks.com]
I also find deep fulfillment in preserving culture, emotion, and memory through storytelling. My work is shaped by my Italian heritage, my travels, and the many places I’ve called home, and being able to weave those experiences into stories feels like leaving small, meaningful footprints behind. Whether it’s a romance, a mystery, or a travel guide, I love creating worlds that invite readers in and let them stay awhile. [youtube.com]
Beyond the books themselves, mentoring and encouraging other writers has become incredibly rewarding. Through teaching, speaking, and my involvement in the writing community, I’ve seen firsthand how creativity gives people courage—to tell their stories, to trust their voices, and to take chances they once thought were out of reach. Helping someone else believe they can do this may be just as meaningful to me as publishing another novel. [joannesbooks.com]
At its heart, being a creative means turning life—its beauty, heartbreak, humor, and uncertainty—into something that connects us. Knowing my stories have found a place in someone else’s world is the greatest reward I could ask for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://joannesbooks.com/
• Instagram: joannes_books_2018
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReadJoannesBooks
• Twitter: https://x.com/JoannesBooks
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@joannefisher418

Image Credits

All images are created by Joannes Books, LLC and BookBrush.com