J. M. Hepner
Author
Coming soon
When Will You Be Home (2025)
This gripping memoir is told through the eyes of a FEMA inspector — stories of disasters, heartbreak, and the toll taken not only on survivors, but also on the responders and their families. It also sets the record straight, challenging the media’s portrayal of FEMA employees as slow to respond, and unwilling to work.
This memoir is currently in pre-release. Want to be the first to know when it becomes available?
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"I'm honored to have been given a sneak peek. From the very first sentence, this gripping narrative captivates with its masterful storytelling. It's going to be devoured in one breathless sitting. A truly remarkable debut is headed our way!"
Ryan Driscoll
Praise & Reviews
I absolutely love it so far! I cannot wait until I can read the entire story. Great work!
Anonymous
Such emotion and imagery. Jason you paint a picture with your words, and I will be counting down the days until your book is complete and we'll be able to read the entire work.
Anonymous
June 09, 2025 Update
We’re almost there.
The manuscript is in final editing, and the digital release is set to go live by late June. Print pre-orders and audio will follow shortly after. This isn’t just a book — it’s a mission. Be ready!
June 22, 2025 Update
Pre-order is now available on Amazon. This is currently for Kindle/ digital only. Paperbacks will be available by the end of this week. Audio and hardback are in the works also, but will likely be available in July.
Link to pre-order: https://a.co/d/ht027zA
J. M. Hepner
About the author
Jason Hepner is a former FEMA disaster inspector turned author. Jason was born on the Gulf Coast of Florida and raised in Virginia. After over a decade in construction and property management, he spent years deployed to disaster zones across the U.S.—work that took a heavy emotional toll on both him and his family.
Still living in Virginia with his wife of 24 years and their two daughters, Jason writes with raw honesty about trauma, service, and the human cost of helping others. His debut book, When Will You Be Home?, is a memoir of his time on the front lines—and the personal unraveling that followed.