I feel like that horror geek has been lurking around the corner of most of your work. SN: And, like you said, that’s not to say that some of your previous books didn’t also include horrific elements. That’s an excellent book too! My friend actually edited that book. SN: There’s also Daka Hermon in the middle-grade space with her book Hide and Seeker.
It was just more like introducing people to a passion of mine. I was always still watching horror and reading horror, even as I was writing thrillers. So, I think there was just an opportunity for me to go back in, especially since I felt like I never really left horror. And right now, it’s just me out there because she’s working on Star Wars books. Right now, there’s really only two - myself and Justina Ireland are the only two Black horror writers in the space. And we started talking collectively as an industry and saying, “When was the last time we’ve seen some Black horror in the YA space, and particularly by women?” and there’s only been like three to date. TDJ: I think there was a moment where a lot of different Black horror movies were coming out, and there was a question about it. SN: How did you know it was finally time for you to fully go back to your horror roots and give us a ghost story? I think that that’s the biggest way that I was able to sort of overcome a lot of that heaviness I was feeling in the very beginning. I picked up a lot of new habits that helped me adjust, whether it be health-wise, mental health-wise, talking to friends, and doing things that bring me joy. I’m used to pivoting, especially in my career, but there was something very profoundly upsetting about just having to sit still and sit in that discomfort. I’m not saying anything new here, but in the beginning it was pretty insane, and it definitely caused us all to pivot. JACKSON: I’m actually doing much better than I was.
SCOTT NEUMYER: It’s been a really rough year and a half for everybody. Shondaland caught up with the author via Zoom to discuss her new book, going back to her horror roots, the influence of Jordan Peele, how YA has finally grown up, Tik Tok, and so much more. Jackson’s love of the genre is all over these pages and turns what, in lesser hands, might have been just another ghost story into a transcendent, genre-defining masterpiece that will have readers of all ages hiding under the covers. White Smoke is clearly written by someone who has horror in her blood. Not only is it beautifully written and filled with much of the social commentary that Jackson has become known for in her previous books, like Allegedly and Grown, but it is absolutely chilling at times. Described as Get Out meets The Haunting of Hill House, White Smoke is Jackson’s new novel that makes good on that description as the author lays out her own modern take on the classic ghost story in stunning fashion.
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