JGC has grown from an advertising and public relations company founded by John Gile to a publishing company established with the release of best-selling The First Forest.
John was invited to travel the country with his “How a Book is Born” program focused on the processes involved in writing a book, a program that turns students on to reading/writing and produces enthusiastic young writers. The focus grew to include teachers and parents, then author-in-residence programs with individual classroom and group workshops.
JGC expanded its product line and increased its scope and in 1999, it became JGC/United Publishing Corps with the addition of other authors and an expansion of titles to include trade fiction, non-fiction, and the memoir genres, while at the same time expanding the full color, hard cover classic children line. Programs have expanded to include communication skill development and motivational presentations to companies and community organizations.
With the loss of the building, home to both JGC and Just A Second, to the state of Illinois for a state highway project, the office was relocated to a newly remodeled loft area in the home of Renie and John. Renie continues her business on a much smaller scale at Just A Second on Main, her Etsy store, and now devotes much of her time and energy working with husband John in the managing and creative role required in their joint publishing venture.
