1. Your book deals with the issue of a single mother raising her teenaged son alone. Do you see this situation a lot within the school system? Did you choose this conflict because it affects so many women today?
My characters, and the circumstances they find themselves in were very real for me. I tried to portray a busy, hardworking single mother who must look for resources within the "village" to help raise her teenaged son. She has been "holding it down", but like many mothers she began to loose touch in the hustle and bustle of life. Deidre, my main character, like many mothers, gets that inevitable wake up call when her son starts to get in trouble in and out of school.
If it takes a village to raise a child, ideally the father should be fall among that village. I think I also show the very vital part the father plays in the life of his child even though he and the mother may no longer be together.
2. Can you share your publication journey with us? How long were you writing before you secured a contract with Urban Christian and did you have to obtain a literary agent before submitting?
My first novel, Soon And Very Soon was published in 2007 by Urban Christian, but it took over ten years to get it to publication. At that time, it was a shell of what it is now. In my zeal to get it published I shopped it around to traditional publishing houses. I knew nothing about target markets or the genre of Christian Fiction. I received a lot of rejection letters. Some I still have to this day. In retrospect, I know I was blessed in that process. I have some of the best rejection letters! Some said the narrative was flawed, characters were underdevolped, but most said the storyline itself, about two pastors that marry and combine churches, was promising. After licking my wounds for awhile, I had a trail of breadcrumbs to follow, especially when I bought a book called, Temptation by Victoria Christopher Murray. I knew that there was a market for my book. I joined a fabulous workshop of writers that met twice a month at Sisterspace And Books when it was located on U Street in D.C. and I got to work on the story. I sent it off again around 2003 and signed with a major publishing house that held up the book for two years then dropped it from its' roster before publication. Finally a friend of mine attended the Hurston Wright Conference in DC and in her networking found out information about a new imprint devoted to Christian Fiction under the Urban Books umbrella. She gave me the information in 2006, and I submitted my manuscript. Shortly thereafter, I signed a two book deal for Urban Books/Urban Christian/Kensington.
Wow! I can certainly understand all that you went through! I also read Temptation by VCM and it's a great book! It's hard for writers to deal with rejection, especially when it appears that a contract is being granted by a publishing house, and then it falls through! I kind of know what that's like because I had a similiar experience years ago!
3. You are a teacher who is married with children. How do you balance your writing time and working hours with your family duties?
Do I balance it? It is crrrrraaaaaaazzzy! Despite my "day job" and family, I am in that place where one book is on the shelf that you want to move and publicize, one book is set to come out in less than 6 months that you have to ramp up, and one book is in my Brain that the editor is waiting for me to get down in electronic format. I don't know if you ever balance it. It is daily prioritizing because multi tasking is an illusion for me. I don't do that well. I have to concentrate on one thing at a time.
Tell me about it! I can certainly understand how hard it is to prioritize your book publishing duties along with your work and family! It's hard!
4. Who are some of your favorite authors?
Victoria Christopher Murray writes fiction with a beatiful mix of inspiration and pure entertainment.
Pearl Cleage writes so intelligently. Her characters are intelligent and introspective and real. Sometimes writer's create fantasy characters on the extremes of life. She writes from the SOUL.
Terry McMillian set it off for me. No one writes dialogue like she does. The voice in her pieces have their own cadence, fast pace, gritty and real.
Eric Jerome Dickey writes hot, blood-coarsing, page turning adrenaline.
Yes, I've read all of those authors except for Pearl Cleage (I'll be sure to check her out.) I also believe Terry McMillian set the stage for more African-American authors to get published!
5. What’s your favorite scripture?
Wow, there are so many. I am so thankful for my home training in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School because verses will come to me when I am writing and I go back and study. Romans 8, the whole chapter, is particularly special to me. Like John 3:16, it reminds me of how special I am to God. It reminds us that we are joint heirs with Christ and that he predestined, called and justified us for a purpose. Read it; it's good stuff!
Yes, John 3:16 is one of my personal favorites, too! Okay, here's some information about Sherryle's book! Read it and then leave a comment to be entered into the drawing!
The Manual by Sherryle Kiser Jackson
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Urban Books; Original edition (October 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1601629354
ISBN-13: 978-1601629357
Need a manual on raising children and having healthy relationships? Refer to the Bible. That’s what Deidre Collins’ inner spirit is telling her to do now that Andre, her son’s father, is back in town after deserting them eight years ago.
At fourteen years old, her son, DeAndre, is struggling with his own issues peer pressure, problems at school, and fi guring out how to navigate his first crush. When DeAndre gets suspended from school for ten days, Andre sees it as the perfect opportunity to get to know his son—and to get closer to Deidre. Can this couple overcome the past for the sake of their son’s future?
It was nice having you on my blog, Sherryle, and everybody, don't forget to leave a comment for the book drawing! You also need to leave an email address so that I can contact you if you win!
~Cecelia Dowdy~
18 comments:
Single parents raising children is much apart of our world today. I can also see where a father raising a teenage daughter would have much difficulties too. Sounds like an interesting book.
Thanks for introducing me to a "new to me" author.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Cecilia: These books all sound lovely. I would welcome the cance to review your book as well. I have never read Sherryle Kiser Jackson before and would like the opportunity. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
Paula http://www.thriftymommastips.blogspot.com/
and http://www.thriftymommasbrainfood.blogspot.com/
I was raised by a single mom and I think the topic matter will resonate with many so thanks for entering me into the draw for this book.
Single parenting is a very timely subject. I have been a single parent and it is not an easy route, but it's doable. It definitely takes prayer, the Bible, and the village.
Maxine Thompson
http://www.maxinethompsonbooks.com
great post, i had wanted to read this. Thanks so much for this interview. allison p.
this story line looks like something i know is dealing with right now. Either way, I'll be sure to pick it up. thanks very informative interview.
a great posting/interview...thanks for the chance to read this wonderful book :)
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
I'm not a single parent, but parenting as a whole is always a timely issue. After all, who is convinced that they've absolutely got it down pat?
Nice interview, ladies. Another author added to my TBR list.
Thank you all for your comments. Whether your a single mother or a married mother, it's all love. I certainely hope you pick up a copy of The Manual. Watch the book trailer on my website at www.sherrylejackson.com. Reading is like a conversation. Let me know (sherrylek@aol.com) what this book is saying to you.
looks like a good book. Thanks for a chance to win.
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
A new author - great - I love learning about new authors on your blog. In fact I learned about more than one, I have not read anything of Victoria Christopher Murray, Pearl Cleage, or Terry McMillian.
As a Ranger teacher at church teaching boys, I deal with a lot of boys who are in divorce situations and single mom's raising their kids alone.
It is so much different than when I was in school.
My husband helps me with Rangers and for some this is the only father figure they have.
Please enter me to win.
jrs362 at hotmail dot com
Just an FYI, some of the authors mentioned in this blog post, such as Terry McMillan (and others) are secular. Sherryle's book is a Christian book, but she's referring to secular authors in her interview. Just wanted to make sure everybody knew that since I tend to focus a lot on CBA authors.
I found it very interesting that it took over 10 years to get your first book into publication. The book sounds very interesting.
Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
Not having been a single mom, I would love to read your book to give me more insights of the struggles. Please enter me. Thanks.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
I'm not interested in the drawing. I already read and reviewed the book, but I wanted to stop by and say great interview.
I'd love to win this book. I raised three sons and have girlfriends raising teen boys alone.
I was also encouraged by Sherryle's ten-year journey to publication. I'm on year eight.
Warmly,
Ann
Wow, this was awesome. I hope all that purchased the book will enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by Rhonda and stick in there Ann. Cecelia, thanks for having me.
It was great hosting you, Sherryle! I hope you sell a gazillion copies of The Manual!
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