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JENN
HOOKER

Picture of a blonde woman in a black dress standing at an angle in front of a mounted photograph.

Welcome to the Mother Road

Howdy! Welcome to the Mother Road aka the home of Lindy Hopper, waitress extraordinare and super sleuth. I'm working on my first novel, Murder on the Mother Road, which I hope to publish before I'm 35 (I won't tell you how old I am, just to keep things interesting.)
Things are still under construction here but I'll post periodically with updates, musings, and--hopefully--how to buy my book one day.
Thanks for stopping by!

About

About Me!

I'm Jenn (she/her,) punk-ass book jockey by day, budding author by night. When I'm not writing, I'm agonising about writing, thinking about writing, and constantly second-guessing if this was a good idea. Oh, I also like to read, play video games, work out, wail on the moors, dive deep into rabbit holes about random topics, and spend time with my family. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you come back!

-jh

Local storage facility knows what's up, I guess.

Local storage facility knows what's up, I guess.

A delightfully foggy early morning with very strong Gatsby vibes. 🩶

A delightfully foggy early morning with very strong Gatsby vibes. 🩶

Nothing says "Welcome home" like half a dozen egg tarts. 😍

Nothing says "Welcome home" like half a dozen egg tarts. 😍

Can we make #LeftiesSoGay a thing? Super congrats to @queercrimefic @johncope74 and @roboslerwriter for their well-deserved wins! Also congrats to @jenniferkmorita for winning a Lefty for Best Debut Novel for #GhostsofWaikiki! Fun fact: this marks the fourth year in a row I've picked a table where someone has won an award. Last pic is just 'cause I looked cute. 😉

Can we make #LeftiesSoGay a thing? Super congrats to @queercrimefic @johncope74 and @roboslerwriter for their well-deserved wins! Also congrats to @jenniferkmorita for winning a Lefty for Best Debut Novel for #GhostsofWaikiki! Fun fact: this marks the fourth year in a row I've picked a table where someone has won an award. Last pic is just 'cause I looked cute. 😉

THE Sara Paretsky. A mystery icon. I took a class in undergrad on mysteries (long before I wanted to be a mystery writer, mind you) and one of the books on the syllabus was hers, alongside the likes of Arthur Conan Doyle and P.D. James. Her interview was stirring, inspiring, and made me tear up a bit. #LeftCoastCrime

THE Sara Paretsky. A mystery icon. I took a class in undergrad on mysteries (long before I wanted to be a mystery writer, mind you) and one of the books on the syllabus was hers, alongside the likes of Arthur Conan Doyle and P.D. James. Her interview was stirring, inspiring, and made me tear up a bit. #LeftCoastCrime

Starting Saturday off properly with The Readers Panel! There are no authors without readers. 🩵📚 #LeftCoastCrime

Starting Saturday off properly with The Readers Panel! There are no authors without readers. 🩵📚 #LeftCoastCrime

I don't write foodie mysteries but I do love food! One of the best parts of traveling is eating, in my humble opinion. Genoa salami and provolone sandwich, the signature con drink "The Partner in Crime," delicious oysters, and shredded bison on frybread with wojapi for dessert.

I don't write foodie mysteries but I do love food! One of the best parts of traveling is eating, in my humble opinion. Genoa salami and provolone sandwich, the signature con drink "The Partner in Crime," delicious oysters, and shredded bison on frybread with wojapi for dessert.

Somebody please save me from myself. #leftcoastcrime

Somebody please save me from myself. #leftcoastcrime

Apparently when you volunteer to pack the book bags, you get first dibs at books! 😍 Not a bad haul if I do say so myself. #LeftCoastCrime

Apparently when you volunteer to pack the book bags, you get first dibs at books! 😍 Not a bad haul if I do say so myself. #LeftCoastCrime

What's up, Denver! If you see me, say hi! #leftcoastcrime

What's up, Denver! If you see me, say hi! #leftcoastcrime

Any friends here heading to LCC in two weeks? I'll be there and I'm pretty excited! #leftcoastcrime

Any friends here heading to LCC in two weeks? I'll be there and I'm pretty excited! #leftcoastcrime

Trying out Hallie Ephron's blueprint for my current #WIP. I've got quite a few chapters written already but I always find myself diverging from what I *think* is my plot when I actually start writing. Classic plotter vs. pantser dilemma. #amwriting #queercrimewriter #mysterywriter

Trying out Hallie Ephron's blueprint for my current #WIP. I've got quite a few chapters written already but I always find myself diverging from what I *think* is my plot when I actually start writing. Classic plotter vs. pantser dilemma. #amwriting #queercrimewriter #mysterywriter

Another rainy day in the redwoods. I wish I was writing instead of working!

#amwriting #queercrimewriter

Another rainy day in the redwoods. I wish I was writing instead of working!

#amwriting #queercrimewriter

I interrupt my normal writing content to bring you blurry, distant shots of a very cool NBA All Stars weekend. Friday was the celebrity game, which was fun even though I could only identify like four people from the whole roster and our seats were very far away. Team Bonds (as in Barry) won, which made this Giants girl very happy. Saturday was All Star practice (just guys being dudes, shooting hoops very casually and being rich and famous at the same time.) Steph Curry was there! He almost looked in our direction! Our seats were much better and I could actually see people! After that was the HBCU Classic, which was unexpectedly my favorite part. Spike Lee was standing like 10 feet from us as we ended up getting from row seats. The crowd was stoked to be there. The game was great. The dancers were great. Electrifying over all AND I picked the winning team once again. An excellent Valentine's indeed.

I interrupt my normal writing content to bring you blurry, distant shots of a very cool NBA All Stars weekend. Friday was the celebrity game, which was fun even though I could only identify like four people from the whole roster and our seats were very far away. Team Bonds (as in Barry) won, which made this Giants girl very happy. Saturday was All Star practice (just guys being dudes, shooting hoops very casually and being rich and famous at the same time.) Steph Curry was there! He almost looked in our direction! Our seats were much better and I could actually see people! After that was the HBCU Classic, which was unexpectedly my favorite part. Spike Lee was standing like 10 feet from us as we ended up getting from row seats. The crowd was stoked to be there. The game was great. The dancers were great. Electrifying over all AND I picked the winning team once again. An excellent Valentine's indeed.

Rosie the Riveter aka Nosey Rosey aka Scooby Don't, our foster pup. She needs some training but she's so sweet (when she's not chewing up everything except her toys.) #fosterpup @milodogsandcats #adoptme

Rosie the Riveter aka Nosey Rosey aka Scooby Don't, our foster pup. She needs some training but she's so sweet (when she's not chewing up everything except her toys.) #fosterpup @milodogsandcats #adoptme

Such a lovely evening with @roboslerwriter and @dmrowell_storyteller in the Castro. Not only is it inspiring to watch two successful queer authors talk about their books, but to do so in a queer bookstore (@fabulosa_books) in the gayest spot in the gayest city was galvanizing. Kudos to all involved for bringing this together. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
#queercrimewriters #queerwriter #queerauthor #amwriting @queercrimefic

Such a lovely evening with @roboslerwriter and @dmrowell_storyteller in the Castro. Not only is it inspiring to watch two successful queer authors talk about their books, but to do so in a queer bookstore (@fabulosa_books) in the gayest spot in the gayest city was galvanizing. Kudos to all involved for bringing this together. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
#queercrimewriters #queerwriter #queerauthor #amwriting @queercrimefic

Finally got my ladies up in my office. I'm angry and frustrated and scared but looking up at these ladies reminds me that women are strong, women are brave, and we can do anything.
.
The middle photo is based on the Hayes Code, a set of rules that--if not followed--almost certainly meant your film wouldn't be approved of or distributed. It reads:
"Thou Shalt Not"
1. Law defeated
2. Inside of thigh
3. Lace lingerie
4. Dead man
5. Narcotics
6. Drinking
7. Exposed bosom
8. Gambling
9. Pointing gun
10. Tommy gun

The photo on the right reads
"Do the job HE left behind
Apply U.S. Employment Service"
I know it's to recruit women to the war effort--which I love the story of the Rosie's--but I like to interpret it as "He couldn't do it, so it's up to us." Also, "Ladies, if your man can't satisfy you, I'm right here."

Finally got my ladies up in my office. I'm angry and frustrated and scared but looking up at these ladies reminds me that women are strong, women are brave, and we can do anything.
.
The middle photo is based on the Hayes Code, a set of rules that--if not followed--almost certainly meant your film wouldn't be approved of or distributed. It reads:
"Thou Shalt Not"
1. Law defeated
2. Inside of thigh
3. Lace lingerie
4. Dead man
5. Narcotics
6. Drinking
7. Exposed bosom
8. Gambling
9. Pointing gun
10. Tommy gun

The photo on the right reads
"Do the job HE left behind
Apply U.S. Employment Service"
I know it's to recruit women to the war effort--which I love the story of the Rosie's--but I like to interpret it as "He couldn't do it, so it's up to us." Also, "Ladies, if your man can't satisfy you, I'm right here."

Spent a lovely day in San Francisco: waterfront, Asian Art Museum, Union Square, Chinatown. I'm reading a book about the 1906 earthquake and it's really interesting to see what's left of pre-1906 SF and how it has changed since then. One interesting fact: much of the damage after the quake was from fires that ran rampant because there wasn't water in the fire hydrants. Sounds a little too close to current events, eh?

Spent a lovely day in San Francisco: waterfront, Asian Art Museum, Union Square, Chinatown. I'm reading a book about the 1906 earthquake and it's really interesting to see what's left of pre-1906 SF and how it has changed since then. One interesting fact: much of the damage after the quake was from fires that ran rampant because there wasn't water in the fire hydrants. Sounds a little too close to current events, eh?

That moment when book light starts to mean writing-a-book light 'cause it's early and everyone else is asleep. @sincnational January Jumpstart is off to a great start! #amwriting #queercrimewriters #queerwriter #sistersincrime

That moment when book light starts to mean writing-a-book light 'cause it's early and everyone else is asleep. @sincnational January Jumpstart is off to a great start! #amwriting #queercrimewriters #queerwriter #sistersincrime

This phrase appears on a few items I have: a cup, a pen, a sweater. As a reader, it was my justification for postponing sleep, staving off chores, and delaying the responsibilities of life. Now? As a writer, it's encouragement to just. keep. writing. Even if it's crap, even if I'm tired, pumping out one more chapter will get me closer to my goals. What keeps you going?
#amwriting

This phrase appears on a few items I have: a cup, a pen, a sweater. As a reader, it was my justification for postponing sleep, staving off chores, and delaying the responsibilities of life. Now? As a writer, it's encouragement to just. keep. writing. Even if it's crap, even if I'm tired, pumping out one more chapter will get me closer to my goals. What keeps you going?
#amwriting

Great reading year! Terrible writing year. Well, maybe not terrible, but certainly not as productive as I'd intended to be. 2025 already has some writing conferences scheduled and my writing office is now mostly finished, so now I just need to put pen to paper and make it happen!
#amwriting #amreading #queerauthor #queerwriter #mysteryauthor #mysterywriter

Great reading year! Terrible writing year. Well, maybe not terrible, but certainly not as productive as I'd intended to be. 2025 already has some writing conferences scheduled and my writing office is now mostly finished, so now I just need to put pen to paper and make it happen!
#amwriting #amreading #queerauthor #queerwriter #mysteryauthor #mysterywriter

Hey @roboslerwriter, you're in the Washington Post! Can't wait to read this one.

Hey @roboslerwriter, you're in the Washington Post! Can't wait to read this one.

It isn't very often I get caught up on a word.
As a child, when I would read a word I didn't know, I'd go to the dictionary and look it up. It's a wonderful way of learning new things and allowed me to quickly surpass my grade-based reading levels. Nowadays, I read so broadly and deeply, I don't often come across words that I don't know unless it's an historical or non-English word. That said, imagine my delight as I came across "deuteragonist" in #TheColdestCase by @tessawegert! I picked up on the meaning based on context clues and the Greek parts of the word, but I had no idea there was a proper word for "second most important character."
Man, I love language.
#amreading #wordoftheday

It isn't very often I get caught up on a word.
As a child, when I would read a word I didn't know, I'd go to the dictionary and look it up. It's a wonderful way of learning new things and allowed me to quickly surpass my grade-based reading levels. Nowadays, I read so broadly and deeply, I don't often come across words that I don't know unless it's an historical or non-English word. That said, imagine my delight as I came across "deuteragonist" in #TheColdestCase by @tessawegert! I picked up on the meaning based on context clues and the Greek parts of the word, but I had no idea there was a proper word for "second most important character."
Man, I love language.
#amreading #wordoftheday

Happy Holidays from me & mine to you & yours.

Happy Holidays from me & mine to you & yours.

Curled up with hot tea and a good book on a cold and drizzly day.
#amreading

Curled up with hot tea and a good book on a cold and drizzly day.
#amreading

Found a little friend outside work today. I'll always be fond of my alma mater's mascot. #bananaslugs #ucsc

Found a little friend outside work today. I'll always be fond of my alma mater's mascot. #bananaslugs #ucsc

Enjoying a delicious cup of alcoholic autumn, ruminating on life, and wondering what the future will bring. Fall is the time to let things die, to let go, to slow down, to rest. We weren't meant to go full steam 100% of the time. As we take some time to pull back, what can you live with relinquishing and what do you need to keep to get you out of bed in the morning?

#queerwriter #queerauthor #amwriting #sistersincrime #mysterywriter #mysteryauthor

Photo cred @lifewithalyons

Enjoying a delicious cup of alcoholic autumn, ruminating on life, and wondering what the future will bring. Fall is the time to let things die, to let go, to slow down, to rest. We weren't meant to go full steam 100% of the time. As we take some time to pull back, what can you live with relinquishing and what do you need to keep to get you out of bed in the morning?

#queerwriter #queerauthor #amwriting #sistersincrime #mysterywriter #mysteryauthor

Photo cred @lifewithalyons

Dog is not ready to acknowledge that @sincnational Writing Challenge is halfway over. More time, please!
#amwriting #queerauthor #queerwriter #queercrimewriters

Dog is not ready to acknowledge that @sincnational Writing Challenge is halfway over. More time, please!
#amwriting #queerauthor #queerwriter #queercrimewriters

Can't wait for Lila's next big adventure! I love this series so much. It's warm and funny and makes me crave delicious food. #guiltandginataan #titarosieskitchenmystery

Can't wait for Lila's next big adventure! I love this series so much. It's warm and funny and makes me crave delicious food. #guiltandginataan #titarosieskitchenmystery

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