Interview With Author Angelica R. Jackson
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Southern California but wanted to experience seasons, so at nineteen I packed up and headed to Oregon. I only made it as far as Sacramento before I found an enticing bookstore job, complete with a dark-haired guy who would later become my silver-haired husband. We bought our first house on the edge of the valley before moving up in elevation in search of even more seasons, but stopped at 1500 feet because an occasional dusting of snow in winter is easier to live with.
Gardening is better at 1500 feet too, and our current home features an acre of ornamental edibles and drought-tolerant lovelies. I was even featured in the Sacramento Bee for the sweet potato I grew that was larger than my own head (and had more charisma). We share our home with an adorable Miniature Pinscher/Nibblonian mix, and if you need pictures there are approximately one billion of them on my Facebook and Instagram.
I started writing for publication when I finished high school, but unfortunately the publications were not interested in the derivative science fiction stories I was producing at the time. I tackled my first novel some ten years later and published my debut, Crow’s Rest, with a small press before later getting her rights back and re-releasing the book under my own Crow & Pitcher Press. I followed that up with the sequel, Merlin’s Stronghold, and the final book in the series, Spellmeet.
I also keep busy with my Charming Corby Jewelry line and visual art, like the photographs collected in my book Capturing the Castle: Images of Preston Castle (2006-2016). I previously served the SCBWI CA North/Central region as Illustrator Coordinator, Social Media Coordinator, and in various other volunteer positions at their Spring Spirit Conferences.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest published book is Spellmeet: Faerie Crossed Book 3 and concludes my urban fantasy series. The setting was inspired by a trip to Ireland, England, and Scotland, as well as beloved urban fantasy titles I read as a teen. Life experiences I am, um, experiencing also make it in, so there are themes of recognizing toxic family patterns, and building/finding the true family you need instead.
My current work-in-progress is a departure from urban fantasy and is called Stay, Girl. It’s about a dog and her girl and was inspired by a pair of formerly-feral hounds we adopted. They have now passed away and I wanted to write this book as a tribute to their resilience and willingness to love, even after abuse and neglect.
The first book I wrote, Spirits from the Vasty Deep, remains unpublished.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I talk to myself a lot while I’m drafting or editing, and will even get up and act out a scene if I’m trying to get the blocking correct. My characters also occasionally surprise me by taking the plot in a different direction, and although I am a plotter by nature I can be flexible if the characters make a convincing argument.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Definitely Charles de Lint, Charlaine Harris, Gail Carriger, Lloyd Alexander, Marissa Meyer, and others. I love the books where setting is as important as the characters and plotline; the right world-building can absolutely transport a reader.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
It is easy to get caught up in a belief that a single book’s success or failure can make or break your career, but it’s not true. I have had two separate cancers and they coincided with the release of two out of my three books; I was afraid I would lose momentum if I didn’t keep up with a rapid release schedule. But I failed to take into account that there are always new readers hearing about your book or series, and you will still be able to build an audience. Your path is not like anyone else’s and comparing will only make you more anxious.
Author Websites and Profiles
Angelica R. Jackson Amazon Profile
Angelica R. Jackson’s Social Media Links