Neighborhood Reads: Meet your local author Mora Soan

Written By Liz Hensel - Content Coordinator

Meet the incredible Mora Soan, a passionate author, and the heart behind the enchanting book "Jacob in Japan." What makes this book truly remarkable is that it's a collaboration between Mora, her talented daughter Lana, and Lana's best friend Lauren, resulting in stunning illustrations that bring the story to life.

Mora's journey to becoming an author is as captivating as her book. Born in Cambodia, her family's path to a refugee camp in Thailand was marked by hardship and conflict. With the support of a sponsoring church, they embarked on a new chapter in Canada in November 1981. Mora's pursuit of knowledge led her to graduate from college with a degree in business management, where she met her beloved husband, Jack. Together, they have created a joyous life in Stafford, Virginia, raising two wonderful children, Brandon, and Lana.

Despite achieving a business accounting degree and a pharmacy technician certificate, Mora yearned for a deeper sense of fulfillment. Her calling led her to work with children, and she now holds the paraprofessional position at Kate Waller Barret Elementary in Stafford, VA.

In 2019, Mora embarked on a life-changing journey, visiting her homeland of Cambodia, and making a layover in Japan. This short layover evolved into an immersive cultural experience that ignited her passion for travel and gnomes. Inspired by her love for these mystical creatures and her adventures in Japan, Mora gave birth to her first children's book, "Jacob in Japan." This delightful tale follows Jacob, a gnome who stumbles into a magical pot, transporting him to the enchanting land of Japan. Despite his picky nature, Jacob soon finds himself exploring new horizons and savoring delectable cuisine.

The story of Jacob's adventures doesn't end there. Mora is already hard at work on Jacob's next journey, which will take him to Canada. Her vision is to create an enchanting series, sharing the magical exploits of this endearing gnome as he travels the world. Stay tuned for more captivating stories from Mora Soan, a storyteller who continues to enchant readers of all ages with her boundless imagination and passion for exploration.

To purchase a book, visit your local Barnes and Noble and follow more of Jacob's story on Instagram @jacob_the_gnome.


Liz Hensel - Content Coordinator

Liz has been living in the Stafford area for the last two years. However, her ties are rooted to Virginia, as Virginia was her first duty station while she was on active duty with the Marine Corps. Her husband is still on active duty, and they hope to make Stafford their forever home with their two daughters and two rescue dogs.

While serving in the Marine Corps and Marine Corps reserves has allowed Liz to see all parts of the country and the world, there is truly no place like home. Working on this magazine gives Liz the opportunity to meet her neighbors and the local businesses and more importantly, she gets to showcase them to others.

Liz is also the founder of a nonprofit called Leave No Paws Behind USA. She led the campaign to have legislative change to include pet transportation fees included in military moves. With her leadership, the bill was passed in the FY23 National Defense Appropriation Act.

Liz is excited to continue to write the stories of the FXBG Neighbors

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