I moved to Key West from Montreal almost thirteen years ago and continue to be awestruck by the beauty and strangeness of this place.
I share a studio in Key West with Rosalind Brackenbury, an incredibly prolific writer and Rebecca Bennett, a painter of moody scenes, mostly set in the Keys. I treasure my small space set over a cistern. If you’ve read No Name Key, you know how serendipitous that is!
I wrote Sidetrack Key in this space and when I enter that room in this house from a bygone era, I feel transported to another place where I can say anything I dare.
This year, I finally completed the second book in the No Name Key series after making the process more difficult than it had to be. More on that later. I really should do a post on how NOT to write a novel.
“No Name Key” began as the winning entry for TSKW’s “Writes of Spring” contest in 2012. I took that contest seriously, worked hard on the entry and was rewarded with first place. That pat on the back was enough to carry me through the duration of the entire book.
In an earlier writing life, before I took a decade off, I published many pieces of short fiction in literary journals
In 2011, I published “Arrest Me (before I write again)” a collection of four rather twisted short stories. The title for this collection is an obvious take on “Arrest me before I kill again,” the chilling and famous message scrawled in lipstick on a mirror at a crime scene.
I have begun the third novel from the No Name Key series, set in the always odd and sometimes dangerous Florida Keys. This will be out in 2023, I’m running out of runway!
Here’s It’s a Bunny, an early ezine I created & edited in the late 90’s.
Thanks so much for visiting and writing about the Key West Wildlife Center! A pleasure having you and always great to get help promoting this magical place I get to work at every day!
Michelle Anderson, Director, Key West Wildlife Center
Hi Jessica! Carol sent me your link. How great to hear about life on Bunny Island. It’s great to see a picture of your “big bunny”. I’m so happy that you found such a soul-soothing place to call home. It looks like a great community. I have often wondered how life was treating you but couldn’t seem to get in touch. I think of you whenever I see my bunny earrings. Thank you for all the love and support.
Awesome blog! I would love to see some pictures of your fabric art creations.
I just finished reading “Arrest Me” and I wanted to say some words to you — but they’re all yours, Jessica: …”all stiletto all the time” … (love it!) … “an evening when the night comrs in like a shark and the leaves are swirling and anything sems possoible” … (nice!) … “daytine cops always appear slightly ridiculous, out of synch, miffed at arguing the point” … (yes!). Very good on the male point of view (even the dead) and excellent on foreshadowing (“there really was a theme developing, no doubt about it…”). I enjoyed every minute.
– Mark
Dear Jessica:
It was a mutual connection of good vibes at Art Basel. My name is Kachito and I was with my friend Kameelah. I was on the scooter and you took a photo of us and posted it on your blog. Thanks for the caption. You, too, have great energy.
Maybe next time I am in Key West we can meet for lunch or something.
Now you have my e-mail address.
IN LOVE AND ENERGY EXCHANGE ****kachito*****
Jessica,
Would you mind contacting me about someone with one of these real-life stories of the boat crossing?
Thank you
Jessica! I am sure you remember me Al Mouyal
i have just moved back to Montrael from the Dominican Republic
where i have been living on and off for the last ten years
every time i need something to be written i think about
you. would be nice to hear from you. Can you send me your
# i may have some work for you
my skype is almo08
email almo1956@yahoo.com
514-797-2509
always a friend
Al