After first attending the Local Authors Expo in 2023, Author & Journalist Vallean Jackson returned to this year’s event at the Birmingham Public Library in Downtown Birmingham on Nov. 1— and the experience proved to be even more rewarding the second time around.
For Jackson, the event wasn’t just about showcasing her books, but also about sharing her journey as a writer. Having the opportunity to speak about what inspired her to begin writing and to discuss the messages behind her stories...
Author Vallean had quite the start to the week when she traveled to Jacksonville to Kitty Stone Elementary(KSE) as their special guest for the evening. She expressed that she had a wonderful time, it felt like home, & having her own classroom for the night definitely made her feel special.
Vallean added that it was such a joy connecting with so many bright young readers and their families sharing some of Liyah’s adventures!
I originally wanted to keep this journal paperback only because I wanted to encourage ppl to take the time to sit down and just focus on them. In that moment or hour(s) let what they were carrying to be unpacked with just them at the forefront, then it hit me…. That can be done just the same digitally and can reach more people. I’m only one person yet I want to help oh so many, and turning the journal into an ebook allows me to expand my reach and hopefully help more people unpack the things...
This just might become an annual thing :)
Vallean Jackson recently led an engaging journaling workshop at Springville Road Library in Birmingham. Participants explored journaling techniques designed to unlock creativity and encourage thoughtful self-reflection in a welcoming environment.
The Story Time event at the Public Library of Anniston & Calhoun County was filled with joy, curiosity, and a room full of little readers eager to explore new adventures. With a wonderful turnout and plenty of smiles, Author Vallean J. brought the story to life as she read Walking Through the Ocean from her “Adventures With Liyah” series. She was more than grateful for the opportunity to share the magic of storytelling with such a warm and welcoming community.
Author Vallean J. visited Jacksonville Public Library in Jacksonville , AL. where she read both books in the “Adventures With Liyah” series —Colors At First Sight & Walking Through the Ocean. To read in the city that helped to inspire a part of the journey she’s currently on, meant so much to her, and the kids in attendance were absolutely Amazing!
I3 Academy-Elementary's communication coordinator reached out to Author Vallean J. after being recommended to check her out from her time at Springville. The coordinator took the recommendation, reached out, and it went from the DM's to reading "Colors At First Sight" & "Walking Through the Ocean" to fitting grades. Author read to the Kindergarten classes, first, and second graders. She was even invited back the following week to read to two classrooms of third graders, with an open...
Author Vallean J. visited Gardendale Public Library in Gardendale, AL. where she read her very first children's book "Colors At First Sight". She doesn't care about if the room has one child present or 30, she gives her all with each reading like it's her first.
Author Vallean J. visited Springville Road Regional Branch Library in Birmingham, AL. where she read her very first children's book "Colors At First Sight". This story time was one for the books the Author with turn out of the crowd at the location. She had kids who were eager to listen, enjoyed meeting her, and loved being able to ask her questions.
"Adventure In self healing through journaling" is the first journaling workshop that Author Vallean J. did, and it was at Center Point Public Library. In that room, she had women of all ages tuned in to learn about journaling, how it's beneficial, when is the best time to journal, and accepting that they were not their past, and that healing doesn't look like a blank slate. The turn out was engaging, impactful, and inspiring.
ABC 33/40's "Talk of Alabama" invited Author Vallean J. to talk briefly about mental health and her first upcoming journaling workshop inspired by her release "It's Time to Unpack". It was quiet on the set while the cameras were rolling, but the impression left behind was loud & impactful!
Author Vallean J. visited Fultondale Public Library in Fultondale, AL. where she read her very first children's book "Colors At First Sight". The attending kids enjoyed meeting Liyah, the inspiration behind the "Adventures With Liyah" series, and had fun using colors to re-create a page of the book and make it their own.
Author Vallean J. visited Center Point Public Library in Center Point, AL. where she read her latest children's book "Walking Through the Ocean". This story time included a group of young girls that enjoyed the story and loved the opportunity to meet a local Author and ask her questions. There were many little faces gleaming with joy to learn that they too could one day be an Author. Even as young as six or younger!
Author Vallean J. visited Homewood Public Library in Homewood, AL. on Feb. 21, 2024 where she read her latest children's book "Walking Through the Ocean". This was her first time reading at a local library.
In the journey of becoming an Author, Vallean endured some rough times, but eventually found her way back on top in the literary world. With a few books in, self published by her, a friend of hers pointed out that she should take her talents further and start her own company. The company would publish the books for Author Vallean J. and hopefully future aspiring Authors as well. Thus in Dec. 2023, VX Publishing LLC was created and striving to re-define literature one page at a time.
Birmingham Public Library reached out to Author Vallean J. as she was preparing to attend the annual Local Author's Expo. In the interview, she took a minute to reflect on her current releases and her upcoming release of her first self healing journal.
Brown Books & More in Decatur, AL. hosted Author Vallean J. for her very first book signing with her latest children's book "Walking Through the Ocean". The owner of the bookstore store was a welcoming and loving soul, who the Author couldn't have been more grateful to meet and have such a good first experience.