j mercer books

J. Mercer reads, writes, and edits fantasy and contemporary fiction. Her most recent young adult novel was a FOREWORD Indies Book of the Year Award finalist, and her popular paranormal series was a quarterfinalist with a perfect score in The BookLife Prize put on by Publishers Weekly.

More About J

Most recent and most popular

Women’s Fiction

Young Adult

shady woods

What CRITICS are saying

About SHADY WOODS

This novel grips readers from the first page. One of Mercer’s talents is putting a typical teenager into a fantastic setting and making readers believe in it.

The BookLife Prize

by Publishers Weekly

About AFTER THEY GO

Mercer’s prose is lucid and her themes of redemption and reinvention are resonant.

Kirkus Reviews

About TRIPLICITY

The depth of characterization, flavors of romance, adult confidences, and alternating viewpoints keep this story lively and involving for all ages.

Midwest Book Review

Services

Editing Services

The Creative

Structural or developmental edits focus on big-picture story elements such as plot, character, and pacing.

Priced at $0.02/word

The Polish

A full line and copy edit to address flow, readability, clarity, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Priced at $0.03/word

The Quick Copy

Spelling, grammar, and punctuation only.

Priced at $0.01/word

Not Sure?

Read more about each service HERE or reach out to discuss the right fit for you.

What clients are saying

“A wealth of knowledge”

Mercer’s masterful understanding of the craft truly helped elevate my first novel. Every revision and suggestion she made helped scenes read clearer and land even better. As I worked my way through edits, which included detailed notes and a wealth of knowledge, I felt myself growing in my own craft.

Sarah Zimm

Fantasy Author

“Insightful, encouraging”

Mercer’s editorial letter and in-line comments gave me the second set of eyes I needed to see both big picture issues as well as minute details. Not only was her feedback helpful and insightful, but she balanced it beautifully with encouragement that made me want to dive back into my manuscript and make it even better!

Rhiannon Rollness

Fantasy Author

“I felt heard”

I turned to Joanna for developmental edits on my first ever novel. The whole experience was seamless, collaborative, and every step of the way I felt heard. Joanna is incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and her feedback is insightful and given with a deep understanding and care for the integrity of the story.

Georgina North

Romance Author

FAQs

What is your most popular title?

Overall, my most well received by readers has been the SHADY WOODS series. Born with my daughter who spent most of her life as a reluctant reader, it’s a collection of five fun, quick, and easy reads.

What is your most critically acclaimed story?

Before IN ONE LIFE AND OUT ANOTHER was a Forewood INDIES Book of the Year Finalist, I would have said AFTER THEY GO, which interestingly has been my least well reviewed novel by readers. Not only did Kirkus say “Mercer’s prose is lucid and her themes of redemption and reinvention are resonant,” but The BookLife Prize from Publishers Weekly said “Characters are intricately woven, unique, and relatable… Passing time is marked by emotionally traumatic or uplifting events, which are exceptionally well conveyed through Mercer’s delicate plotting.”

What is your favorite of the books you’ve wrote?

Oh, dang. Hmmm. Honestly, I’m in the midst of rereading them, but I think I’ll have to say AFTER THEY GO. It hits hard and deep, but I also find myself smiling often throughout. So I guess, if you share my sense of humor…

Which novel of yours should I start with?

That really depends on what you like! For Colleen Hoover fans, check out my debut DARK & STORMY. For those who enjoy Liane Moriarty, Jennifer Close, and Taylor Jenkins Reid, give AFTER THEY GO a try. If you’re into a little bit of magical realism, IN ONE LIFE AND OUT ANOTHER has dual realities like the old movie SLIDING DOORS and PERFECTION AND OTHER ILLUSIVE THINGS has a premise similar to the movie BIG, where a girl wakes up to find herself perfected in the mirror. TRIPLICITY is a fun mystery on a cruise ship with strangers telling each other all sorts of lies, and SHADY WOODS is for the fans of the paranormal.

A little something for everyone I guess, but all have some romance and some fun!

Get In Touch

Let’s connect!

I’m always available via email and try to hop on Instagram occasionally. Major updates will also hit Facebook, so find me where you’re at.

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