Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessi Cole Jackson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My process to publication was long and winding! After a decade+ career in professional theatrical costuming, I started writing towards publication back in 2012. I spent quite a few years balancing novels and short stories, getting some of the short stories published, found writing community and took workshops, joined SFWA and SCBWI, earned my MFA, queried agents three times to varying levels of success, got three offers of representations from three amazing agents and signed with mine the week before the Covid shutdown, went out on submission, applied for IP projects, wrote more, and then finally sold Ruinous Creatures.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not! Life threw a lot of curveballs from relocating back to Michigan from the East Coast, balancing successful careers and job less, getting my MFA and even an unexpected infant (I’m a foster parent).
The biggest struggles were definitely internal. It takes A LOT of rejection to get to the “yes” of getting a book published. That’s a lot of trying and failing.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an author whose debut novel, Ruinous Creatures, just recently came out. My work is romantasy – so a blend of romance and fantasy.
I love the way I combine deep emotional truths and complex sociopolitical threads with magic and spicy (sex) scenes.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
A nerd, just like I am now!
I was obsessed with reading and stories on the whole, playing pretend or with my Barbies, and art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jessicolejackson.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicolejackson
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Ruinous-Creatures-Jessi-Cole-Jackson/dp/1668092891/
