Photo courtesy Jaclyn Garver
Jaclyn Youhana Garver knows the power of a good story. From her early days as a journalist to her current status as an award-winning author recognized by the Cincinnati Society of Professional Journalists and the Cleveland Press Association, writing has been a constant in her life. Now, she brings that passion to her latest novel, Then, Again, which explores themes of love, loss, and the pull of the past.
At the center of the story is Asha, a woman in her 30s whose husband has been in a coma for a year, leaving her in a state of emotional uncertainty. Just as she begins to accept the reality that he may never wake, an old flame returns and stirs her memories and unresolved emotions.
Photo courtesy Emma Downs
The novel unfolds across three timelines—Asha’s present-day autumn, her coming-of-age spring, and the years following college—offering readers a layered, introspective journey. “I’ve always loved coming-of-age stories,” Garver shares. “They’re my favorite to read, and Then, Again incorporates that style while remaining an adult novel.”
Bringing the book to life wasn’t an easy task. Garver completed the first draft in 2017, but it took several years of revisions before it came to its final form. With the guidance of an editor, she continuously reworked the manuscript and completed it just last summer. “A friend read an earlier draft, and the finished version is completely different,” she notes. “The process was long but absolutely worth it.”
Garver’s journey as a writer began long before the completion of Then, Again. Her passion for storytelling took root at a young age and blossomed as a student journalist at Lakota West’s newspaper, The Voice, leading her to study journalism in college. Eight years in the newspaper industry followed, but it was a career shift to marketing that truly allowed her to focus on fiction. “It freed up a massive amount of creative energy,” she says.
That newfound energy, paired with her persistence, ultimately paid off. After years of querying, Garver finally landed a literary agent—an unforgettable moment that “brought her to tears,” she recalls. This milestone helped set the stage for the successful launch of Then, Again in November of 2024, which was a celebration complete with readings, live music, and the support of those closest to her. “Writing is solitary, but you can’t do it without a community,” she says.
Photo courtesy Jaclyn Garver
Now, Garver is bringing Then, Again to readers in-person again on the final stop of her book tour. On Saturday, February 15 at 1 p.m., she is speaking at Roebling Books in Newport, where she will be interviewed by fellow Cincinnati Magazine writer and former high school classmate Carrie Blackmore. The event will begin with a brief reading, followed by an in-depth conversation about the book, the writing process, and her career. Attendees will also have the opportunity to bring home signed copies.
As for what’s next? Garver is keeping busy. Along with writing poetry and short stories—including a horror piece recently accepted by Tiny Terrors—her literary agent is shopping her next novel to publishers, while she is also halfway through writing another that readers can look forward to down the line.
With Then, Again now in readers’ hands and new projects in the works, Garver’s literary journey is far from over. And for those eager to hear more, Roebling is the place to be on February 15.
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