We were lucky to catch up with Jackie Sonnenberg recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jackie, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Incorporating costuming into my work, and making it a part of what I do has been uplifting and beneficial to building my brand! I use this as a unique marketing tool where I can use other talents and passions I have in addition to writing: craftsmanship and acting.
I have a background as a cosplayer and haunted house actor. So, costume-making was something I had an early interest in. I went to conventions cosplaying favorite characters from movies and video games. When I became a haunted house actor it gave me the opportunity to create original characters, so making my own costumes here came easy.
Somewhere in between cosplaying at conventions, to making different characters for different haunted house settings, to writing my books, I came up with the idea to do costumes of my original book characters. It was like a light bulb went off because it felt the ultimate merger of everything I love to do into one, and it has become the best way I can market my work.
I go to conventions and events as my book characters, interacting with people exactly the way the characters do, and give them information about the books. It is a very interactive style of marketing that has made my name known in the local convention scene.
I also have a new book out and it is available on Amazon. Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/
Jackie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am an author living in Orlando, FL. I write fiction with the focus on YA and Horror, and dark fantasy.
I got my start in publishing early on, having my own column in the local paper while I was still in high school. I was published before I learned to drive, having my short stories on an online magazine made for teens called eChic. After school I made my start as a journalist. Originally from Chicago, I wrote for 3 major newspapers: The Daily Herald, Chicago Tribune, and the News-Sun. Publishing books came soon after with my first book out at age 23, though not the fantastical story I had my heart on just yet! My first books were requested research topics under Atlantic Publishing that came from searching for freelance journalism gigs.
Eventually I got to working on the projects that I could take full reins on and I have since been building a book collection centered around a common theme: the classic Nursery Rhymes, told with new twists. Most are brand new stories inspired by the lines of a Nursery Rhyme, and a few are straight-up retellings.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
There’s always a stigma against those that are into the fine arts and anything creative; whether it be writing, art, music, etc. People for some reason hold the standards very high or too high and are quick to believe someone is not good enough because their progress was not the exact same as someone else’s. Sadly instead of making decisions for themselves people look to the media for guidance, and let the media tell them what is supposed to be good, and what they are supposed to like.
There’s also a stereotype that all artists are “starving,” meaning they are so unsuccessful and are in a constant struggle. While it is true that anyone anywhere and in any business can have ups and downs, this sticks to the creatives the most and can be degrading.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I had an upcoming convention I was looking forward to as it had been postponed from earlier in the year, and I could showcase a book character and promote the book. When it got closer to the date I found out I had a small area of skin cancer that needed to be removed, and my surgery date was scheduled the first day of the convention. I went in to the doctor and had my little surgery which gave me 12 stitches on my abdomen. Feeling fine, and not letting that get in the way of my weekend, I went home, popped a painkiller, changed into costume and went to the convention.
I was happy and fortunate for a simple and successful medical procedure that took care of me, and I was proud of myself for my spirit in moving on with my plans. The thought of missing out on doing what I do bothered me more than getting the stitches. It worked out just fine as I was still numb and not feeling discomfort at all, with that part coming the next day. The next day I went for only a little while until it started to hurt to move around so I left when I wanted to, happy that I got to spend the time I wanted to and then I used the rest of the weekend to rest.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jackiesonnenberg.com
- Instagram: @sonnenbooks
- Facebook: Author Jackie Sonnenberg
- Twitter: @sonnenbooks
- Other: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jackie-Sonnenberg/e/B004L5Q8VA/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1
Image Credits
Book cover art by Deranged Doctor Designs