Meet the author event set for March 24
Connie Mann, who recently released her 10th book, which is dedicated to Capt. Virginia Ferguson, will be at the main library in Ocala.
Connie Mann [Photo courtesy of the author]
The late Capt. Virginia Ferguson was the first female and first Black woman to hold a United States Coast Guard captain’s license in Florida and the first female glass-bottom boat captain at Silver Springs.
By the time she retired, Ferguson had introduced tens of thousands of visitors to the beauty of the springs and opened the door for younger female captains to follow. One of those was Capt. Connie Mann, who also has had a distinguished career as an author.
Mann met Ferguson in 2006, when Mann was hired as a glass-bottom boat captain at Silver Springs.
with Capt. Connie Mann.
[Submitted photo]
“Capt. Virginia had a warm smile, twinkling brown eyes, a wonderful laugh — and a spine of steel she showed when necessary. She never called herself a trailblazer or pioneer or mentor, but she was all of that and more, for me and so many other women. She not only trained me to handle a boat and deal with guests from around the world; she showed me how to step into the role of captain with skill, grace and confidence, despite those who didn’t welcome the idea of a woman at the helm,” Mann recalled.
Fast forward to the present, when Mann, who is celebrating the release of her 10th novel, will be in Ocala soon to talk about the book, which is dedicated to Ferguson.
“My new book, ‘The Liar’s Treasure,’ is my 10th published novel. This new book is dedicated to Capt. Virginia Ferguson, who very much embodied the idea behind this series — of strong women helping other women,” Mann said via email.
“The Liar’s Treasure” is book two in the Speranza team series, but each book can be read as a stand-alone. Book one, “The Crown Conspiracy,” was a Christy Award finalist, Mann noted.
“When people ask how the series came to be, here’s what I tell them: I love adventure stories, especially those involving treasure hunts and secret societies. Add in a castle or two, and I’m hooked. But a few years ago, I realized that, too often, women were mainly supporting cast. They weren’t the ones saving the day and changing the world. So, I started dreaming and imagining. What if there was a team of strong, flawed, compassionate, determined women who make a difference in this world, especially by helping other women? What if they were part of a centuries-old, women-only secret society whose symbol and name meant hope? All those what-ifs became the Speranza team and led to ‘The Crown Conspiracy’ and ‘The Liar’s Treasure.’ Think Clive Cussler, but for women,” Mann wrote.
“As I was thinking about this team of women who help other women, Capt. Virginia was very much top of mind. She was strong and determined, but also gracious and forever ready to help other women. I was so fortunate to be on the receiving end of her mentoring, friendship, endless encouragement and deep wisdom, so I wanted to dedicate this book to her,” Mann said.
“Women have so much more to give then we often give ourselves credit for. My hope for this series is that it empowers and encourages women to live big lives, to take risks, chase dreams and band together with other women to make a difference in this world,” she added.
Mann’s talk will begin at 3 p.m. March 24 at the Headquarters-Ocala Public Library at 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd.
Ferguson died March 25, 2025, in Ocala. Mann said she believes that her daughters plan to be in attendance for the talk.
For more information and library event schedules, go to library.marionfl.org
To learn more about the author, visit conniemann.com
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