So I've checked out a couple blogs and sites where people have taken us back, wondering where various movie or music stars have been.
That's cool. I like movies and music.
But I wonder if people wonder where some of their favorite writers and authors are? Like, I know writers are on the low rung of the entertainment ladder. People don't generally know about writers and their personal lives... unless we choose to share and publicize. Someone once advised me: authors are not rock stars; don't get mixed up. Very cool advice.
But I digress...
In the late-middle 90s, I loved reading books by Sheneska Jackson. I think she's L.A. based. She wrote Caught Up In The Rapture (about two star-crossed lovers in L.A.s music scene), Lil Mama's Rules (about L.A. love, relationships, and social issues that are very timely now, kinda taboo back then... like HIV), and Blessings (set in an L.A. beauty salon, and following clients' lives around infertility, marriage, child rearing, and singlehood in your 30s). Add them to your library for some fun, thoughtful, and well-written reading.
I remember back when I was doing the grad school thing thing, being so excited about the hoopla around her start in writing. She worked full time at a hospital, if I remember correctly, and wrote every morning and night... and took classes at UCLA Writers Program. Writing teacher liked her work. Introduced her to her publisher. She got a deal. Like that. It doesn't always happen that quickly or easily, but I think I got the story right. That inspired me to want to do the same. Showed it was possible to balance work, life, and write, and make it happen!
After that, she dropped off the literary canvas... or has she? It's been quite a few years... maybe five years or so. Long time in between books, and no scandalous publicity keeping her name in the news. That's a good thing, but still...
Where is Sheneska Jackson? And when is her next book coming out? Anyone got scoop? Or read her? And want to see her next project?
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15 comments:
I must admit that she is my favorite author...I'm gonna do some digging
So funny that you should post this because I was about to put a blog APB out on her myself.
When I'm out promoting my own book, Nappily Ever After, I get asked, "Do you know Sheneska Jackson...when is her next book coming out?"
Okay, I don't know her. Never met. Never had the pleasure of reading one of her books, I'm shamed to say. But for some reason, I get asked this alot. For a while a new book was posted on Amazon to come out Oct. 2006, then it disappeared. Maybe someone should write a book, Searching For Sheneska Jackson, like the Bobby Fisher story. She must be an awesome lady.
I've seen postings (on Amazon) about a book called, "Southern Comfort" that was due for release years ago and then I stiopped seeing it... I'm with you all.. I was really digging her and was always looking forward to her new work... then she just disappeared....
Wow...I just finished Caught Up In A Rapture...I couldn't put the novel down...I'm currently a Senior at the University of Houston...in the midst of test, and exams...I had to continue Shenska's book. Well written, powerful, suspense. The novel was like a movie I pictured in my head as I read on. I'm looking for the sequel to that novel...as to what happens to Jasmine & Xavier...Dakota and the Reverend Deems. I captured everyword of that book. As an African American male...Sheneska's thoughts for that book...One word:Amazing
I still search for her too. I've been coming back to this blog entry for years now, hoping to find an update:-)
She is actually teaching now and has been for the past 2 or 3 years. She teaches English in a high school in South L.A.
Her books are some of the best i've read. Great writer. Hope she comes back soon!!
Your post is four years old and to the best of my knowledge we still don't know what happened to Shaneska Jackson!
I Google her about once a year, occasionally check in with Amazon, and browse the fiction section at bookstores from time to time . . . and still no sign of her.
She has such a unique voice and engaging style. And although I'd love to see more work from her, I really just hope she's happy and doing well. [9/1/09]
I just recommended her to someone to read and then I started looking for her and found this blog. I remember when I read Li'l Mamma's Rules. The beginning of the book had me laughing out loud on the bus in Orlando, FL and by the end I was crying. How did she do that? I don't know but I went to the downtown FL library and read all of her books!!! So somebody needs to find her and tell her we are looking for her ASAP!! I hope that I am this influential when I publish my works =) 12/22/09
I LOVED 'Caught Up In The Rapture.' A great writer indeed. I miss her so much that I was googling her today and found your blog. I wish I would've found more information about her, but I'm glad to have located another informative blog to read. I'll definitely return!
I just googled her as well can came to this blog. I hope one of these days she google herself and see that we all miss her writing. I read all of her book in high school and gave them to my mom to read as she was just reading romance novels at that time. Between her and Terry McMillian, they are the reason why I love to read as much as I do...unfortunately there are not a lot of good books anymore :(
She's on Facebook. Her profile appears to be updated. http://www.facebook.com/people/Sheneska-Jackson/100001588391108
1/16/11
I agree with everyone on this blog. I have been looking for a new book for 10 years. She is by far the best storyteller. She is just wonderful all of her book could and should be movies. If she is teaching english her kids are definitely fortunate to have her. I'm about to request her to be my friend on FB!
Sheneska Jackson is my middle school teacher.
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