Today's Read Team 
Lisa Johnson has become one of the most celebrated authors in recent years, with her distinctive voice and commitment to portraying women’s empowerment through literature. Known for her bestselling works like “The Rising Sun” and “Voices of the Forgotten”, Johnson’s novels have been a constant source of inspiration, with themes of resilience, independence, and the strength of sisterhood at their core.
In a candid conversation with Today’s Read, the celebrated author shared insights into her latest novel, “The Heart of the Fight”, which explores the lives of two women—one a combat veteran and the other a political activist—who, despite facing overwhelming odds, refuse to back down from their fight for justice and equality.
“Women are constantly fighting for their place in this world, and often the fight is invisible to those who aren’t looking. I want my readers to understand the strength that lies within women who, often without fanfare, are shaping the world,” Johnson explains. “It’s not just about fighting for equality; it’s about embracing the power we have within us to make change, no matter how big or small.”
The Inspiration Behind The Heart of the Fight
In “The Heart of the Fight”, Johnson introduces two compelling protagonists: Claire Morgan, a former Army officer turned political activist, and Isabella Torres, an ambitious lawyer fighting for human rights. These women, though from different walks of life, form an unshakable bond as they find themselves on a shared mission to challenge a corrupt system that seeks to suppress marginalized voices.
The inspiration for the novel came to Johnson after she attended a global women’s rights summit in 2024. “It was there that I realized just how much women are at the forefront of every significant change happening across the globe. But often, they don’t receive the recognition they deserve,” says Johnson.
The themes of war, peace, and political activism are deeply embedded within the narrative. Johnson, whose own family has a military background, worked extensively with veterans and women’s rights organizations to ensure her portrayal was authentic.
“My father served in the military for over 30 years, and I spent a lot of time with his colleagues. They shared their stories with me—some painful, some inspiring—and I used those experiences to fuel Claire’s character,” she explains. “The political activism aspect came from my experiences working with organizations like Amnesty International and the ACLU. I’ve seen firsthand how women who fight for human rights are often vilified or ignored.”
A Personal Struggle
Though the novel tackles heavy topics, Johnson insists that it is ultimately a story about hope and overcoming adversity. In fact, “The Heart of the Fight” has become a symbol of her own struggles as a woman in the publishing industry. Johnson has faced discrimination and marginalization throughout her career, but rather than letting these experiences defeat her, they’ve inspired her to tell more stories about strong women breaking barriers.
“I’ve faced obstacles in the industry that I don’t think my male counterparts even realize exist. But those challenges only make me more determined to use my platform to uplift other voices,” Johnson states. She’s been vocal about the gender disparities in publishing, noting that despite the growing number of female readers, women are often underrepresented in key publishing roles.
In fact, in 2023, “The Rising Sun”, Johnson’s first book, was pulled from a major publisher’s list due to concerns about its “aggressive tone” and “lack of relatability.” This was a turning point for her, and she quickly founded her own independent publishing company, HerStory Press, which has been a platform for underrepresented voices ever since.
“I don’t want any woman to feel as though her voice isn’t worth hearing, no matter what she writes or how she chooses to tell her story,” Johnson explains. “That’s why HerStory Press exists.”
A Global Phenomenon
The Heart of the Fight has already hit the bestseller lists, and Johnson’s readership has expanded to an international audience. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Johnson shared how she’s receiving letters from women around the world who are inspired by the novel’s message.
“One letter that really stuck with me was from a woman in Sudan who told me she saw her own struggle reflected in the pages of the book. She said that it gave her the courage to speak out against injustices in her own country,” Johnson recalls. “That’s why I write—to give people the hope that they can make a difference.”
Her work has also earned recognition from some of the leading voices in the literary world. In 2024, Johnson was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, a testament to the power her stories hold in shaping societal discourse.
Continuing the Fight for Women’s Empowerment
As Johnson looks ahead, she remains committed to writing novels that challenge the status quo. She is currently working on a follow-up to “The Heart of the Fight”, set against the backdrop of global climate change and its disproportionate impact on women in developing nations. “The fight for climate justice is intertwined with the fight for women’s rights,” she asserts. “If we’re going to solve the climate crisis, we need to listen to women at the forefront of these movements.”
She also plans to launch a new mentorship program through HerStory Press, aimed at empowering young women writers who want to break into the industry.
“I want to make sure that the next generation of female authors has the tools they need to succeed,” Johnson says. “There’s so much talent out there, and it’s about time we made space for it.”
The Heart of the Fight is available now in bookstores nationwide and on digital platforms, and Lisa Johnson continues to inspire readers with her powerful storytelling and advocacy for women’s rights.