Under her pseudonym Michelle Lindo Rice, Zoey Marie Jackson has published a variety of books and has won multiple awards. Her debut novel, SING A NEW SONG, was a Black Expressions Bestseller and Editor’s Choice Feature Selection. She is the 2015 winner of the Black Writers and Book Clubs Rock Female Author of the Year Award and a recipient of the 2017 Black Pearls Legend & Leader Award. Originally from Jamaica, West Indies, she has earned degrees from New York University, SUNY at Stony Brook, Teachers College Columbia University and Argosy University. For Love Inspired, she will write under the pseudonym Zoey Marie Jackson.
Harlequin: Tell us about yourself. Our readers want to know!
Zoey Marie Jackson: I believe in love and its power. I had been married before but it wasn’t until I was 44 that I met and married the love of my life. My best friend. So, never give up on love. I am also a proud mother of two military sons: one serves in the Navy and the other in the Air Force.
H: Why do you love writing romance novels?
ZMJ: I love writing romance novels because there is nothing more satisfying than watching two characters and their journey to love. You know their happy-ever-after is coming but you don’t know how they will get there and that’s what makes it creative and intriguing. Jane Eyre was my first romance and I was hooked. I’m grateful to get others hooked on romances as well.
H: What were the steps in your journey to becoming a published author?
ZMJ: Earlier I said never give up on love; now I’ll add, never give up on your desire to be a writer. It took me twelve years before my first book was published and now eight years later, I get to write for Harlequin. Harlequin! I was that reader who would leave the library with a stack of romance novels and return the next day for more. Soon I turned to writing as a means of therapy, and there is a joy in seeing the product of your hard work and holding a print copy in your hands. It never gets old.
H: What one piece of advice would you offer aspiring writers?
ZMJ: Read. Read. Read. Read a lot of books in the genre you desire to write. I am an avid reader and I read across genres. I learn so much by reading. Reading is fuel for writers. It propels you. And, if I could add another: in this world, there are many no’s. All you need is one yes so keep going, keep growing.
H: What did you do when you got the call from Harlequin?
ZMJ: My agent, Latoya Smith, called me with the good news. We worked together to craft a proposal after answering a Twitter call—and I was so excited, I had to ask Latoya to give me a moment so I could shout for joy. Once I was off the phone, I thanked God before calling my hubby. Then I called close family and friends, who kept my secret until the official announcement.
Now let’s hear from her editor, Dina Davis!
A while back, I was rewatching Sister, Sister, one of my favorite shows from when I was a kid, and I tweeted a #mswl (manuscript wish list) asking for a book where younger twins separated at birth bring together their adoptive parents. I was thrilled when Zoey took the idea and ran with it! Her story is so much more emotional and sweet than I’d hoped for, and I can’t wait for readers to get their hands on it!
Follow me @DinaJDavis
Congrats again, Zoey! And stay tuned, readers, for more I Got the Call stories from our debut authors.
11 replies on “I Got the Call: Meet New Love Inspired Author Zoey Marie Jackson”
Congrats Zoey! Wishing you much success!!!
Congrats! So well deserved!
So awesome! Congratulations!
Congratulations to my favorite author.
Congratulations! I’m super excited for you!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! YAY! So excited and your debut with Love Inspired sounds amazing.
Congratulations, Zoey! I met the love of my life at age 44 too. No, it’s never too late to fall in love and when you’re older you’re more prepared for whatever comes your way. So happy for you! 🙂
Thank you so much, everyone! I am really grateful for the opportunity.
Congrats! We are so proud of you
Hidden Talent but you can write anything about Love. Congratulations!
Super excited for you Michelle! I can’t wait to read the story.
Comments ( 7 )
I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didn’t see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I don’t work so I haven’t been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, I’ve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items – mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I can’t imagine have school-age kids!
Wow–getting your creative process on track must have been daunting–especially with “extra-large dog” glad to have you home. You don’t like coffee–I love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. You’ll have to tell me if the tone of my “COVID” books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldn’t leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesn’t use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But we’re working thru it!