Meet Jo Ferrone | AUTHOR | CREATOR | ANIMAL LOVER

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jo Ferrone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jo, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I grew up in Oyster Bay, a hamlet located in the northeastern part of Nassau County, New York, on the North Shore of Long Island.

In second grade we were assigned to write a story.

Mine was about a little girl who turned into a PB+J sandwich and got swallowed by a friendly but apparently hungry horse.

My teacher liked it so much that she sent me off to share it with her friend, the librarian.

It may still be somewhere in the archives of Oyster Bay Public Library because she asked to keep it; another honor!

And given that I found myself in the shuffle of eight siblings wherein opportunities to stand out were scarce, I knew that writing would be my magic power.

Plus it was so much fun to do.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Fido Dido was inspired by a desire to express a philosophy I shared with my partner at the time, Sue Rose. It was the eighties and NYC was thriving, pre Aids and a fabulous club scene we participated in. Art met commerce, artists met professionals, gay met straight. We said of Fido that it was “an exclusive club that anyone could join.”

I’m soon releasing the sequel to my debut novel, “Julian Dickerson and the Higher Ups” based on the character Doreen who is Mitch the bartender’s prodigal wife and intermittent glue sniffer. Truth be told, Doreen did all the heavy lifting as it’s her autobiography and she just told me what it is she wanted to say and it was my job to simply record it faithfully. Naturally, its called “Doreen by Doreen.”

When asked about whether I have a writing routine or any specific methods to stimulate my creativity, I often find myself reflecting on the structure and guidance provided by elementary school teachers. Unfortunately, I haven’t developed a disciplined routine. My writing process is more spontaneous; once I start a story, it consumes me. Even when I’m lying in bed, the narrative continues to unfold in my mind. To ensure that I don’t lose these flowing ideas, I often find myself getting up to write them down. In this way, my characters, much like my pets, seem to have a certain ownership over me, demanding attention at various hours.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting me in Miami Beach, I would explain my move from New York to Florida as part of our sightseeing. I’d start by saying, “You know, the simplest reason I moved from NY to FL is the weather. NY is cold, FL is warm.” As we cruise around on my Vespa, feeling the warm January breeze, I’d share stories from my childhood about how, despite my adventurous spirit, I could never stand the cold. Anything below 45 degrees was just too much for me.

While showing them the vibrant streets and diverse neighborhoods, I’d highlight the urban and cultural charm of Miami Beach. It’s this wonderful mix of cultures and arts that drew me here. The arts scene might be on a smaller scale compared to NYC, but it’s far more accessible and intimate. We’d zip through the streets, enjoying the ease and freedom that only a place like Miami Beach can offer, where flip-flops become a year-round choice. This experience, combined with the lively atmosphere and cultural richness, encapsulates why I chose to leave the cold New York winters behind for the warmth and vibrancy of Florida.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout out to my publisher—Life to Paper Publishing—founded by Tabitha Rose. I really have her to thank for helping provide me with opportunities to connect with new people and to get my characters into the hands of readers worldwide.

Website: www.joferrone.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoferrone/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075836827692