Linda T Kepner Web Site

A complete list of Jessie's
available books can be
found on Amazon.

JESSIE SALISBURY

On the chili-pepper scale of romance fiction, Jessie Salisbury’s stories are sweet. There are no sex scenes to speak of; instead, there are two people trying to cope with changes in their local community. Maybe they lost touch when one left town to pursue a journalistic career, or  left a previous breakup to come back and start a farm stand. Or maybe she’s a wedding planner, always a bridesmaid but never a bride, and she’s never really looked at the nice minister who is always available for these wedding gigs. How does Jessie observe these events? She’s that local reporter.

I don’t have a nickname and have never used a pen name. I don’t do social media.

I write a wide variety of things. Mostly I’m a journalist – I like that better than "correspondent," which is what I am – a part time contract reporter. That way I can pretty much do what I want. Second, I’m a local historian (some people in town call me the historian) and have co-authored three history books. But the rest of the time I write fiction. I have 17 published romances and several fantasy books looking for a publisher.

I think I started writing in grade school. The first I remember was about third grade and even then, it was, you might say, controversial. I wrote a poem about field daisies, how pretty they are, but also that they didn’t smell very good. A friend said I shouldn’t say that. Maybe that’s why I’m a reporter. Why did I start writing? I don’t know. It’s just something I do.

My usual day starts around 5 a.m. I spend an hour or so writing – first anything I need to do for the paper, then anything for one of the organizations where I’m secretary. After that, something for me. I try to get everything done by noon so I can take a nap, especially if I have a meeting that evening. Most of my newspaper work is covering meetings – selectboards, planning boards and such. I’m a member of the Heritage Commission and that’s mostly fun.

My most recent writing goal was the completion of our town history (we worked on it for seven years). I have no particular goal at the moment except to find that fantasy publisher. I try to submit something, somewhere, at least once a month, often a poem or short story from my archives.

I have received recognition mostly as a reporter – 40 years of it – and that is satisfying. I have a few writing awards, too. I am no longer considered for Press Association awards because I’m part time. Having a poem on one of the trails at Cathedral of the Pines is nice. I value my  Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce history award.

I have five children, seven grandchildren, and 11 great-grands (a few of them step, but that doesn’t matter). My older son lives with me allowing me to stay in my home of almost 60 years. I have had to slow down so I don’t travel as much as I’d like. I rarely drive at night so don’t get to concerts and such except with someone else. Physical limitations have shortened my garden work, but I can still read (these days mostly non-fiction history). As for pets, I’m down to one middle-aged cat. I can no longer walk a dog. When I complain about aches, pains and stiffness, my daughters tell me to remember that many people my age can’t do anything. Or that many people don’t reach 90.  They will all be here this fall to celebrate that milestone.