Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson Book Launch Zoom Webinar, Moderated by Karin Slaughter

 

The banter between two authors can often feel like a peek into a private conversation and tonight was no exception. I got to be a part of a Zoom Webinar with best selling authors Karin Slaughter (The Silent Wife) and Joshilyn Jackson (Never Have I Ever). With both authors living in the Atlanta area, they are old friends and the shared jokes and sarcasm between to two was a joy to watch. We opened up with a brief rundown of Joshilyn’s bio, leading into the story of the time Joshilyn was arrested on the way to a TV appearance and put in jail. Basically, due to a clerical error in the system, her name was flagged as a domestic terrorist and had a warrant out for her arrest. After getting pulled over for speeding, she was promptly handcuffed and thrown in the local small town jail. She was informed that the jail would close at 5 and then she’d be transported to the big city jail where “she wouldn’t do well” as a thirty something white woman, dressed in her Ann Taylor TV outfit. She eventually got ahold of someone to bail her out. (You can read more detail about this story at (https://www.artsatl.org/conversation-joshilyn-jackson-author-the-opposite-everyone/).

Joshilyn spoke of her past, admitting to making numerous mistakes and through the support of her family, they were always there to have her back and give her chance after chance until she got it right. She found that many of her friends did not have that support which led to many of them behind bars or dead. She realized that most of these people only got one chance and after one mistake, that was it for them. Where are the 2nd, 3rd, 439th chances that she got? This lead to her involvement in Reforming Arts, a program in the Atlanta area jail system that hosts theatre-infused liberal arts educational classes within the system. (www.reformingarts.org)

Joshilyn had many jobs throughout her life (mall puppeteer! Fired. Bartender! Fired.) but her work as an actor on the stage was where she found her passion. Being autistic, she preferred the scripted lines to scenes that gave her control in a conversation rather than impromptu speaking in a social interaction. This also led to voice acting, which also gave her control to narrate all of her books herself (unheard of in the publishing world and she is fantastic!). She got her start in writing novels after having a short story published and calls came asking for her novel.

Joshilyn cultivates her characters over years of thought, mostly getting ideas from being curious about people. While doing mundane tasks such as vacuuming or brushing her teeth, she will think of these characters and what their lives are like and what decisions would they make. Some of these characters stick with her and become a book in a few years time. Others do not and they become what she hilariously calls “a one vacuum stand”. Joshilyn has been criticized for only writing strong female characters, with the men holding a supporting role or as a foil, to which she says, exactly! Sometimes that’s what they're needed for! The weak women out there are too busy apologizing for their actions, which is not fun to write, while the strong ones are busy acting, not reacting.

The first 8 books in Joshilyn’s career have been novels set in the south, all with a situation that needs to be solved, usually a murder that happens in Alabama, (because why not cross state lines to murder someone and then go back home?!) but never quite went as deep into thriller was she’d like. She recently entered her 50’s and her “give a shit broke”. She felt freed to be pulled in to the darker threads, to lean into a meaner engine. This led her previous bestseller, Never Have I Ever, a suburban setting of a book club gone wrong (with a twist that literally made my jaw drop). Her newest, Mother May I, the main character of Bree Cabbat gets swept into a dark world when her infant son is taken from her car. I simply cannot wait to delve in to this and the roller coaster I will no doubt be taken on.

I personally have met Joshilyn Jackson 5 times and have read every book of hers and have every hardcover of her books personally signed. I first discovered her in 2011 when my book club at the time picked Gods in Alabama to read. I then realized I had read another book of hers before, The Girl Who Stopped Swimming and was hooked. I attended a book signing later that year and then every one since (perks of living on her home state!) and she happily signed previously released books I brought to her. One year, I was visiting my parents in Michigan and found out she was doing a signing in a nearby town while I was there! Of course, I went and even told her how I’d met her a few times previously in Georgia and jumped at meeting her again in Michigan. Not sure how she hasn’t gotten a restraining order on me yet! (I kid, I kid, Joshilyn, please don’t do that. I’m harmless. Maybe subject matter for the next book?!) I’m excited to continue to follow her career and support her as a super fan and I’m beyond thrilled to have you guys discover her as well.

Tonight's event was hosted by Eagle Eye Book Shop in Decatur, GA. Eagle Eye Book Shop opened its doors in 2003 as a new and used independent book store. Family owned and operated, they strive to make a positive impact on our community and its economic growth.  They are one of the largest independent book stores in the Atlanta area, with 5,000 square feet of books and book related merchandise. They host many events in our bookstore as well as partnering with the local libraries in the area.  

Posted by book lover: Amy L.