Jenni Francis

Biography

Jenni Francis lives in New Zealand. She lives on five acres, with an orchard, sheep and a river. She has a cat named Tui, who is very greedy, and who doesn't love children. Which is a shame, as she has twelve grandchildren.

Jenni has been writing for about 20 years, and loves to write children's stories. She has six books of the 'Keri' series published so far, and is writing book seven. The main character, Keri, finds herself in difficult situations. Her friends don't always agree with what she does, but they are always there for her in the end.

She also has a book of short stories for boys. Not girls.

Smashwords Interview

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I was born in England, but when I was seven years old, my family emigrated to New Zealand. I will always be grateful for that decision. It must have been hard for my parents to do that, but we all have wonderful lives as a result.

As children, from that age on, we were always out and about, on our bikes, at the beach, in the bush area behind our house, making bush huts, tree huts, going on adventures, and learning about life. It was the best possible upbringing, and many of the incidents in my novels have come from that time.
When did you first start writing?
My writing has followed an erratic path. I knew I COULD write, when I was sixteen years old, and won a short story competition. In my early twenties, I did several correspondence courses on writing, but life got in the way. Finally, when I was forty four, my first grandchild was born, and that started my writing in earnest.

I have a lot of work tucked away, ready to bring it to life.
Read more of this interview.

Where to find Jenni Francis online

Where to buy in print

Series

Keri
Keri Walker, at 12 years old, is going through the usual teenage issues. Problems with family, problems with friends, problems with school. At times, she can't see a way forward, but once a decision is made, there's no going back.
Losing William
Price: $0.99 USD.
Fire Island
Price: $0.99 USD.
Danger Signs
Price: $0.99 USD.
Cold as Ice
Price: $0.99 USD.
Watch Me!
Price: $0.99 USD.
When Words Die
Price: $0.99 USD.

Books

When Words Die
Series: Keri. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 34,150. Language: English. Published: November 23, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Social Issues, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Adventure
All Chloe wants is to have a quiet holiday reading books. She doesn't want to have to talk to anyone except her family. But visitors to her town force her to face her anxieties. Secrets are uncovered, and they will change her life.
Watch Me!
Series: Keri, Book 5. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 35,930. Language: English. Published: February 23, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Adventure, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Social Issues
When Claire finds a lump on her chest she decides she must have knocked into something. But her cousin Keri is coming to stay, there are the horse trekkers to deal with and three horses have gone missing. No time to think about it. But with Claire in hospital, Keri and Mereana end up dealing with more than missing animals. Before long it’s not just animals who are abducted.
Cold as Ice
Series: Keri, Book 4. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 31,540. Language: English. Published: January 3, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Family, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Adventure
Keri is trying to cope with a new High School and not enjoying it much. Keri's Mum has a new boyfriend. The new boyfriend has two children and they are both a bit weird. One of them, Sara, is in a class above Keri, and is not at all friendly. In fact she is mean. So a school ski trip sounds like a great adventure for Keri to forget her problems. But it doesn't turn out that way.
A Little Book of Short Stories for Boys
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 9,900. Language: English. Published: July 24, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Short Stories
Sometimes you just want to read some short stories, and sometimes you just want them about boys. Not girls. That's what this is. Short stories for boys.
Danger Signs
Series: Keri, Book 3. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 28,330. Language: English. Published: October 3, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Adventure
Sando is deeply resentful of his hearing impaired brother Jordan, begrudging the time and attention given to him. While on holiday at the beach Sando and Jordan become friends with the girls from another family. Resentful of the attention given to Jordan from Keri and Mereana, it is only after being put in a dangerous situation that he finds being able to communicate differently has its benefits.
Losing William
Series: Keri, Book 1. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 29,180. Language: English. Published: September 17, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Social Issues / Friendship, Fiction » Children’s books » Readers / Chapter Books
Losing William Keri Walker is in the middle of several crises; her best friend has moved away, she's been rejected by her previous friends, and her parents are separating. But then she loses her little brother in a shopping mall. Now she needs all the strength and help she can find.
Fire Island
Series: Keri, Book 2. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 29,950. Language: English. Published: September 17, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Social Issues / Bullying, Fiction » Children’s books » Readers / Chapter Books
Fire Island - Courage is Fire; Bullying is Smoke. Keri Walker is the victim of a gang of bullies, but when she finds that she is not the only one, she decides that something needs to be done.