December Author Spotlight: Kosoko Jackson
December 27, 2022

BIO

Kosoko Jackson is a digital media specialist, focusing on digital storytelling, email, social and SMS marketing, and a freelance political journalist. Occasionally, his personal essays and short stories have been featured on Medium, Thought Catalog, The Advocate, and some literary magazines. When not writing YA novels that champion holistic representation of black queer youth across genres, he can be found obsessing over movies, drinking his (umpteenth) London Fog, or spending far too much time on Twitter. His YA debut, YESTERDAY IS HISTORY, came come out in 2021, published by SourceBooks Fire and his adult #OwnVoices queer Romcom, I’M SO (NOT) OVER YOU came come out in 2022, by Berkley Romance.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK(S)!

I write books that star queer Black boys. My YA debut, YESTERDAY IS HISTORY, follows a teen who gets the ability to time travel and starts a love triangle over 50 years. My second YA, SURVIVE THE DOME, is a BLM thriller about what happens when a dome is put over Baltimore and 3 POC teens have to stand up for the city. My debut ROM COM, I'M SO NOT OVER YOU, follows two exes who have to fake date at the wedding of the century. And I have more on the way!

HOW DO YOU WEAVE YOUR CULTURE INTO YOUR WRITING?

I try to think if "what books did a Black teen growing up being told he 'sounded and acted white' need to remind themself that who they are is more than enough?" Once I know that, I craft my hero around that principle and adjust based on the story. Black people are not a monolith and we shouldn't treat them as such. It's why we need more than one Black author every season. We deserve multitudes.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO WRITE?

I write stories with queer Black main characters. I grew up with not enough queer Black characters and I wanted to ensure there were more out there who had positive stories and positive endings. I try to create works that do that. Mostly, I'm inspired by all the changes I've seen in publishing and the world (though we have a long way to go) thanks to today's youth.

FAVORITE LINE FROM YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR AND/OR FROM YOUR BOOK?

“A woman who is not liked is a bitch, and a bitch can hardly do anything: all avenues are closed to her.”


― Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Mexican Gothic

WHAT DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL GET OUT OF YOUR BOOKS?

I like to show readers that queer joy and queer success is possible. I write stories that show that queer people, and queer Black people are more than just trauma. I think that's important!

WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A BLACK CREATOR IN PUBLISHING?

That just because you have one moment of success, doesn't mean it will come again! Publishing isn't a meritocracy, it's an industry about selling. You could have good success for 3 books and then none for years. That's hard!

IS THERE ANY PROJECT YOU ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT CURRENTLY (W/OUT GIVING TOO MUCH AWAY)?

I'm super excited about my new YA book, THE FOREST DEMANDS ITS DUE. Its coming out 2023 and follows an age old curse, a vengeful god, a gothic romance and a boy who can remember the dead.

BEST TIP ON WRITING CRAFT?

Write for yourself, edit for the business.

ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER BLACK CREATORS?

It's hard to be a Black author. People will always say your work isn't the right type of Blackness. But remember, your voice matters, what you write matters and YOU matter.

FUN QUESTION! IT'S THE FIRST MET GALA FOR BLACK CREATORS! WHAT ARE YOU WEARING ON THE RED CARPET?

Something spooky but classy. We're channeling Morgana Le Fey but masculine!

WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND YOU?

Share

Share by: