This episode features our conversation with Regine Jackson, which was hosted live at The Artist Cafe in Downtown Springfield, Massachusetts on February 12, 2023.
Regine Jackson is a writer who was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. Born in 1997, Jackson has been an avid reader since she was a child. She always wished to write, specifically stories where the main characters looked like her and the people she interacted with on a daily basis. Jackson’s mother worked as a clerk and a page across different libraries in the city and would bring her back a multitude of books to read. Her favorite genres included science-fiction, fantasy, and horror. She also enjoyed reading graphic novels and comics, including manga. This voracious appetite for escape from her reality would be the eventual start of an interest in putting her own words on paper.
While Jackson mainly writes short stories within the science-fiction, horror, and fantasy genres, she also writes prose and poetry revolving around her life living in the inner city.
Jackson is currently working on the manuscript for her first full-length young adult urban horror novel, as well as planning a YA dark fantasy/horror trilogy series. Having first-hand experience with dealing with trauma, poverty, and inner city violence, and witnessing how drug addiction can ravage a community, she hopes to not only hone her own craft but to bring more creative work to her city and encourage more BIPOC women to write their truths.
Regine is the current Emerging Writer Fellow with Straw Dog Writers Guild which supports women and gender expansive writers of color at the early stages of their career.
Learn more about Regine by visiting: reginejackson.com.
This event was presented in collaboration with Straw Dog Writers Guild which supports writers of all genres and abilities based in the four counties of Western Massachusetts. They provide free or low cost workshops, author readings, and showcases both online and in person. Visit Straw Dog Writers Guild online at strawdogwriters.org to learn about their programs and events.
Special thanks to David Maynard and the staff of The Artist Cafe for not only hosting us but for fostering a community space for us to work, convene, and celebrate the creativity among the Greater Springfield community. The Artist Cafe is a coffee house based in Downtown Springfield. They host a regular live music series, book clubs, and art exhibits. To learn more about them, please visit their website at artcoffeewine.com.
Find Regine on Instagram: @theflimsyquill
Find Straw Dog Writers Guild on Instagram: @strawdogwriters
Find The Artist Cafe on Instagram: @theartistcafema
