Jackson Pearce Author Interview

Photo Content from Jackson Pearce

Jackson Pearce currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia. After attending Brookwood High School in Snellville, GA, Jackson attended Georgia College & State University and later transferred to the University of Georgia, where she graduated with a major in English and a minor in Philosophy.

Jackson was an avid reader as a child—she loved the Boxcar Children and Indian in the Cupboard series, but really, she read anything she could get her hands on. This proved problematic when she got her hands on her mother’s paperback romance books from time to time.

It was her love of reading that spurred her to start writing—when Jackson was in her tweens, she was looking for a book that involved a smart girl, horses, baby animals, and magic. When such a book couldn’t be found, Jackson vowed to write it herself. She gave the story up after about ten pages, but the love of writing didn’t die as easily as the story. In her late teens, Jackson began writing for publication. Her first book, AS YOU WISH, sold to Harper Collins when she was twenty-two years old. There are currently four books in her series of retold fairytales—SISTERS RED, SWEETLY, FATHOMLESS, and COLD SPELL. She has also written a contemporary novel called PURITY, a historical fantasy under the pen name J. Nelle Patrick (TSARINA), and has two middle grade series forthcoming—THE DOUBLECROSS (AND OTHER SKILLS I LEARNED AS A SUPERSPY), coming July 2015, and PIP BARTLETT’S GUIDE TO MAGICAL CREATURES, co-written with Maggie Stiefvater, coming May 2015

        

What was your first introduction to YA literature, the one that made you choose that genre to write?
I don’t really remember the first time I read a YA book—that’s just the genre I’ve always read and enjoyed! I definitely didn’t “choose” to write in this genre…I just write stories, and they happen to fit into the YA section at a bookstore. Which is totally fine by me!

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to be a veterinarian for a while, but then I learned that I’d sometimes have to put dogs to sleep, which was NOT okay with me. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to be a writer!

What was the greatest thing you learned at school?
How to write in cursive because NO ONE KNOWS HOW anymore, and it looks way prettier and is way faster than print.

When/how did you realize you had a creative dream or calling to fulfill?
I’ve always written stories—I don’t think there was any one moment when I knew I had a calling for it. It was just something I did.

What is the hardest part of writing?
Getting past the first fifty pages. Up until I hit that fifty-page mark, I’m not sure I actually have a book on my hands.

For those who are unfamiliar with your Novel; Purity, how would you introduce it?
Hello, good sir. Might I recommend this book, PURITY, to you? It’s scandalous and filled with one-liners. You look like a bloke who would enjoy such things.

What inspired you to write this particular book?
I wanted to tell a funny story, but also one that raised a lot of the questions I had as a teenager (and sometimes as an adult) but was afraid to ask.

What part of Shelby did you enjoy writing the most?
Her scenes with Jonas and Ruby. Together, the three of them were a lot of fun to write!

If you could introduce one of your characters to any character from another book, who would it be and why?
Ruby from PURITY to Scarlett from SISTERS RED. I can’t think of two people less alike, which would make for a hilarious conversation.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?
…alas, it’s a secret at the moment!

Is there anything additional you would like to share with your readers?
Here’s a picture of my dog:

When asked, what’s the one question you always answer with a lie?

Are you lying?

What is your most memorable travel experience?
I, sadly, have not gotten to travel to very exciting places for the most part, but I did really love a trip to CT I took to research a historical novel. The story was about Mark Twain, and I spent the day with the area’s Mark Twain expert and a Mark Twain impersonator who came in costume. It was like spending the day with Mark Twain himself.

If you could be any mythology creature, what would you be?
Something with wings. And the ability to be invisible. And something that can talk to animals.

What's the loveliest thing you have ever seen?
My checking account, when it goes from zero to more than three digits.

A novel about love, loss, and sex -- but not necessarily in that order.

Before her mother died, Shelby promised three things: to listen to her father, to love as much as possible, and to live without restraint. Those Promises become harder to keep when Shelby's father joins the planning committee for the Princess Ball, an annual dance that ends with a ceremonial vow to live pure lives -- in other words, no "bad behavior," no breaking the rules, and definitely no sex.

Torn between Promises One and Three, Shelby makes a decision -- to exploit a loophole and lose her virginity before taking the vow. But somewhere between failed hookup attempts and helping her dad plan the ball, Shelby starts to understand what her mother really meant, what her father really needs, and who really has the right to her purity.

Praise for PURITY

"Many teens will find Shelby's emotional journey worth following...a satisfying read." ―VOYA

"Shelby's biting, irreverent first-person narration finely blends the humor and pain of her situation...A purely satisfying look at mourning and sexuality -- and even their connection." ―Kirkus Reviews

"A startlingly authentic picture of a girl in transition on multiple levels...teens will appreciate this thoughtful look at the implications -- or lack thereof -- of doing the deed." ―The Bulletin

"Smart and thought provoking." ―Booklist

"A hilarious and heartfelt story about what happens when a teenage girl actually tries to honor all the promises that adults demand from her while staying true to herself. I loved this book." ―Jennifer Echols, award-winning author of Endless Summer and Love Story

"Reading Jackson Pearce's Purity feels like talking on the phone with a lively and honest best friend -- who is telling it like it is. Shelby reminds us all to be first and foremost true to ourselves. This book is a must-read for anyone thinking about making promises to themselves or others." ―Amy Deneson, author and New York Times Essayist

You can purchase Purity at the following Retailers:

    

And now, The Giveaways.

Thank you JACKSON PEARCE for making this giveaway possible.

1 Winner will receive one ARC copy of Purity by Jackson Pearce.

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