J.J. Brown
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J.J. Brown is an independent author and publisher of books infused with a passion for nature, science and family. Genres include memoir, narrative nonfiction, novels, short stories, mysteries, poetry, speculative fiction and noir fiction. Her books are published in print, ebook or audiobook editions available most places books are sold. Free book excerpts publish regularly at J.J. Brown’s online journal at jjbrownauthor.com.
An incorrigible storyteller originally from the Catskill Mountain region of New York in the US, J.J. Brown continued writing fiction stories during her career as a molecular biologist and public health advocate in Philadelphia, Miami and New York City. Her subjects address current medical, mental health and environmental concerns. The author has a PhD in genetics from her research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory mentored by Nobel Prize winner Barbara McClintock. Brown’s genetics, medical education and public health works are published in leading scientific and professional journals under her full name, Jennifer J. Brown, PhD. She is currently a mentor for people living with phenylketonuria, PKU, and their caretakers at the nonprofit National PKU Association, NPKUA, as a volunteer. When not writing, J.J.Brown enjoys time with her daughters, her adopted companion rabbits and parakeets. She lives and works in New York City.
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When the Baby Is Not OK: Hopes & Genes
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Memoir
When the Baby is Not OK: Hopes & Genes, a new memoir of pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood shines a light on what to expect after universal newborn screening. Out of nearly 4 million who get screened each year, about 12 thousand babies are diagnosed with a so-called “rare disease” in the US alone. J.J. Brown’s daughters were two of them. It was in their DNA. Nine days after childbirth in New York, Brown’s baby’s diagnosis with a rare genetic condition known as phenylketonuria (PKU) came as a complete surprise. A graduate student in genetics at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory at the time, the news radically changed the course of Brown’s life. Her journey as a single mother takes a deep dive into challenges of health equity, eugenics, DNA testing, rare disease and patient rights. The true stories in the 24 chapters of Brown’s memoir are forged in lived experience, a journey through pressing social issues of the times. From teenage pregnancy to sexism in science, from abortion to pregnancy and childbirth, and from DNA testing to healthcare bias regarding rare disease and disability. The writing is born of empathy and informed by evidence, with an extensive bibliography of over 200 primary sources. The author effectively presents a courageous call to action for more compassionate healthcare in the US today. This new memoir is relevant now for readers interested in women’s life experiences, all pregnant people, for expectant parents, medical trainees and healthcare providers. The author’s experience will be of special interest to members of the rare disease and PKU communities as well as patient advocates, genetics counselors and public health workers. 
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Brindle 24
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Contemporary Fiction
Brindle 24 shines a brutal light on the toxic chemical use by the gas drilling industry that exacts a heavy toll on all life forms. The novel tells the raw story of a nuclear family who live in intimate harmony with the land. Their world is torn apart by effects of hydraulic fracturing, fracking, beneath their ancestral home. The fate of the family over 24 hours will haunt the reader, as fracking continues to expand across the globe. |
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American Dream
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Contemporary Fiction
A young artist with depression faces eviction from his city apartment, unable to afford rent or mental health care. He suddenly finds himself in line to inherit the family castle. But can he claim it? Illustrating his first animation film, the artist struggles to pull his life back together and reconnect with his son. The artist's older sister schemes to exclude him from inheritance because of his mental state. His creative spirit defies ownership and redefines an American dream. American Dream is a portrait of an atypical New York family. The novel explores ties between emotional illness and creativity, showing the healing power of art. |
Vector a Modern Love Story
Contemporary Fiction
Two patients’ lives collide unexpectedly in a tragic affair; a young opera student Eva, and her mentor Michael, a successful older man. Michael runs a philanthropic Foundation for HIV healthcare along with a doctor in New York City and in South Africa. Pursuing her desire for Michael, Eva confuses dramatic opera fantasies with reality. She impulsively acts out her dreams at the Foundation Benefit Ball hosted by Michael and the doctor. As her singing career blossoms over the following weeks, Eva uncovers the secrets of Michael’s past. The hidden dangers of loving Michael come to light, forcing both Eva and the doctor to search for hope beyond their love for Michael. J.J.Brown brings her biomedical background to this tragic coming of age story set in New York in the time of the HIV AIDS epidemic. Feel the pain. Feel the love. Feel the hope. |
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Death and the Dream
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Short Stories
14 short stories set in New York explore death and dreams, showing the beauty and the horror of ordinary lives. Mothers, daughters, scientists, and murderers walk the fine line between sanity and insanity, reality and dream, life and death. In the story Mouse Chimera, a young scientist is locked in the laboratory with HIV-infected chimeric mice in an experiment turned nightmare. In Underground, a mother with PTSD tries to guess a victim’s identity after witnessing a haunting New York City subway suicide. A scientist finds her experiments with radiation and toxic chemicals contaminate the workers around her, in the story Lab after Dark. J.J.Brown brings the authenticity of her science background in Genetics to these stories of psychological struggle. |
Natural Supernatural Love
Poetry
Poems for everyone who has heard the voices of nature or the supernatural, and for all those who are curious to hear them. From earthquakes to lightning storms, the poems pull readers into a stream of union with the natural world. Natural poems include "Evening Steps" and "Urban Garden"; Supernatural poems "Winter Stalking" and "Empty Casket"; and Love poems "Brothers in Boston" and "Motionless Waking", each is a mini story. |
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Distracted by Death: New York Stories
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rror, Thriller, Short Stories, Novellas
Distracted by Death: New York Stories is a horror collection of short fiction and novellas from scientist author J.J.Brown. From the Catskill Mountains to New York City and it's science research labs, the tales uncover psychological horror in ordinary lives. The characters, young and old, explore the fine line drawn between life and death. J.J.Brown brings a biomedical science background to her new collection of deliciously dark stories. Included are The Finest Mask, Mosquito Song, The Doctor's Dreams, After the Layoff and 14 other stories. Sample |
