Joan Fernandez is an award-winning author whose storytelling uplifts the overlooked voices of women in history. Her debut historical novel, Saving Vincent, A Novel of Jo van Gogh, published in April 2025, brings to life the story of Jo van Gogh, widow of Theo van Gogh, Vincent’s brother. Jo van Gogh Bonger is the woman responsible for the transformation of Vincent van Gogh’s legacy from obscurity to global fame. When Theo died six months after Vincent’s suicide, Jo inherited all of Vincent’s artwork (900 paintings and drawings), all of which were of little value in 1891. Jo worked to promote Vincent’s work for 15 years, ultimately saving it from oblivion. Saving Vincent has been granted numerous awards, including the 2025 Gold Medal from Readers Favorites (Historical Personage), 2025 Finalist National Indie Excellence Award (Historical Fiction), and the 2024 Winner from American Writing (Art).
Joan’s contributions to the Fiesty Deeds anthologies (Feisty Deeds: Historical Fictions of Daring Women, published in 2024, and Feisty Deeds II: Historical Tales of Batches and Brews, published in 2026) feature historical short stories depicting the universal struggles of women against adversity, proving that rigid rules and war are no match for a determined female mind.
With over 30 years of experience in corporate communications as a senior marketing executive, Joan Fernandez transitioned to full-time writing in 2018. She brings a rare depth of insight to both storytelling and public speaking. She is known for shining a light on the overlooked women of history, using rich storytelling to reveal their strength, vision, and impact. As the founder of the Historical Fiction Affinity Group within the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, Joan is passionate about fostering community among women.
