Meet Nicest Neighbor Nominee: Author Stephanie Collins
Introduction, contributed by Dinah Hess, FirstCoast.Life
Some stories start at bedtime! Stephanie Collins is a busy mom of four and the author of The Barefoot Bandits, a children’s series inspired by her own little barefoot adventurers. Ten books are out, two more are on the way, and the heart behind them is what stands out most.
Today Stephanie lives in the Green Cove Springs area, where she is a firearms instructor for Ironside Shooting Academy, a small business she owns. She’s a former Clay County teacher, a wife, and a lifelong Jacksonvillian.
Ask Stephanie what she loves most about home, and she points to its history and its variety. She loves being part of one of the oldest regions in America, with St. Augustine right next door, and she loves how large and diverse Jacksonville is. Depending on which side of town you’re on, you can taste a different culture.
Her love of storytelling started early. As a kid, she and her cousins built entire fantasy worlds and played in them all day. Then she became a mom and started reading to her children from birth, and one day it hit her: “Hey, I think I could write stories.” A series her kids could keep and pass down to their own children and grandchildren was too good an idea to pass up.
The inspiration is right at home. Her children, ages 6 to 17, were always little barefoot bandits, and she joked for years that she’d someday write a series about them. Today, The Barefoot Bandits has ten published books, with two more on the way. Each character has a bit of the real kids in them. Her son Kaius always carried a sword when he was little, so Finn in the stories carries a wooden one. Jack and Lucy are based on her two youngest, who light up when the books arrive in the mail: “Mom, mom, look, it’s your book! Let’s read it!”
For Stephanie, community is simple. “Wherever your community is, I think that’s where your heart is.” The First Coast raised her, and she loves its festivals, farmers markets, fairs, and Friday night football games.
How long have you lived here? I was born and raised in Jacksonville. I’ve been here my whole life.
What’s the best thing for you about living on the First Coast? Being part of one of the oldest areas in America and the diversity. Jacksonville is so large that you can get a taste of different cultures depending on what side of town you’re on.
What’s been one of the most memorable moments in your writing journey? Watching my two youngest, who Jack and Lucy are based on, pull my books out of the mail and think it’s the coolest thing in the world. I love seeing their faces light up.
What does being part of the First Coast community mean to you? Wherever your community is, that’s where your heart is. The First Coast raised me, and I love the festivals, farmers’ markets, fairs, and Friday night football games.
Where and how can folks learn more? Explore the Barefoot Bandits series on Amazon. Ten books are available now, with two more on the way:
- Book 1: The Secret Hideout
- Book 2: The Lost Puppy
- Book 3: The Great Storm
- Book 4: The Legendary Rainbow Trout
- Book 5: A Harvest of Kindness
- Book 6: The Christmas Gift
- Book 7: The Majestic Stag
- Book 8: The Sled Race
- Book 9: Spring in Action
- Book 10: The River Rescue
- About the Author
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Dinah contributes stories and personal experiences while managing First Coast events and visits across Florida’s west coast. She oversees account onboarding and content development, bringing her passion for community engagement to every project. When she’s not working, you’ll find Dinah at the beach or spending time with dogs.
