Jasmine King is a student at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts specializing in creative writing. She is a Co-Editor-in-Chief for her school newspaper, The Artisan, where she won first place in newswriting at The Florida Times-Union in 2018. She has been published in literary magazines like The Metaworker and Elan. Jasmine also helps teach sophomores her true passion: journalism. In her earlier years, she grew up in Suffolk, Virginia, later moving to Jacksonville, Florida in June of 2016 to attend her current high school. She intends to double major in business management and communications. Though she is very detail-oriented and a hyper-manager, she does enjoy the company of her dog, Romeo, her mother and few others with whom she may be caught stressing about grades and college applications.

We’re pleased that King will read to us at the JaxbyJax Student Showcase at 1:30-2:30 PM on Saturday, October 13th at Women Writing for a Change, 1610 Osceola Street, in the historic Riverside section of Jacksonville.

The JaxbyJax Student Showcase would not happen without the tireless efforts of Matt Lany, from FSCJ; along with contributions by Mark Ari from UNF and Tiffany Steward Melanson from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.

And, of course, we can’t forget to thank Jennifer Wolfe of Women Writing for a Change for opening her beautiful home and garden at 1610 Osceola Street to the public for this event on Saturday, October 13 from 1:30-2:30 PM.

Valerie’s favorite foods are Oreo cookies, tacos de carne asada, mangos, and pasta (in all its forms). She is from Dominican Republic, so she does not mind the July heat. She’d like to thank every NYC police officer for helping her find the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the nearest public restroom. She’s also deeply grateful for her poetry teacher (Tiffany Melanson) for forcing her to be vulnerable and honest, even if it was a very painful experience! Lastly, Valerie’s #1 motto is “If you can’t summon the flames directly from hell, store-brought is fine!”

It sounds as if Busto is on fire about reading at the JaxbyJax Student Showcase at 1:30-2:30 PM on Saturday, October 13th at Women Writing for a Change, 1610 Osceola Street, in the historic Riverside section of Jacksonville. We’re certainly fired up about it!

Come out to JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival on Saturday, October 13th and support your local authors by visiting the Popup Bookstore provided by San Marco Books and More. Located in the Whiteway Building at 2712 Park Street and stocked by Desiree Bailey and crew, the shelves will contain books by the writers participating in the festival. Browse from 1-6:30 PM (before and after the readings), and buy your favorites for the authors to sign at the venues or when you meet and mingle later at the Yellow House Art after-party.

JaxbyJax authors, spread this post far and wide so your fans will know where to buy your books!

Many heartfelt thanks to Desiree and San Marco Books and More!