Meet Jessica Cage | USA Today Bestselling Author & Indie Author Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Cage and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am originally from Chicago, Illinois and grew up on the south side of the city but thanks to my mother I was exposed to many of the cultures Chicago has to offer. Because of these experiences when I was a young girl, I found myself asking why most of the media I consumed, both film and television didn’t refect the vibrant and diverse world I saw day to day. That question has been the driving force in my life. It is why I aimed to bring more diversity to the content I enjoyed most.

I also grew up in a matriarchal family which is why most of my content also focuses on the empowerment of women. I hate the damsel in distress archetypal character and wanted to depict women who were figuring things out and saving the day for themselves.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My writing is a love letter to my inner child and a show of gratitude to my grandmother.

When I was a child I had a big imagination and a head flooded with stories I made up. The only person I wanted to share those stories with was my grandmother. She was the first book nerd I knew and I felt she would appreciate them most. My grandmother was the first person to tell me to write my stories down. She was my first reader and my first reviewer. Because of her, I found a new way to express and explore my creativity.

Getting to where I am now was not easy. I don’t think anything in life can be labeled as easy. Especially when you come from an underprivileged background. I didn’t have the education to match the career path. I left college so I could work and help my mother with bills. So I had to grind in two careers, learning and growing along the way. It was hard but it taught me that there is no single path to sucess. There are many ways to reach a goal if you stick to it.

My journey has been a lesson in resilience and that is one that I tie into every story I tell. I hope my audience walks away with that message in their heart. Whatever it is that is in you to do, go for it. Commit to the journey.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As a transplant for Chicago I’m the friend asking those questions. But I have found that I enjoy hanging out at Atlantic Station and I often visit Kura Revolving sushi bar. I am on the hunt for a partner who wants to visit waterfalls. It was one of the reasons I looked forward to moving to Atlanta. I love waterfalls and against the advice of TLC, I will be chasing them.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate this to my brother Tonedalle Uwaasa. He has given me such encouragement over the years and even in times when I wanted to give up, it was him cheering me on. He is also an amazing artist who has brought many of my characters to life. I’ve enjoyed working with him on these projects and look forward to the many amazing things he will do in the future.

Website: https://www.jessicacage.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jcageauthor

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMYchGBx-xaf6dyxQTuFcdA

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jcageauthor?lang=en