Author | Jessica-stilling-

Jessica Stilling
Jessica Stilling is the author of nine novels. She writes literary fiction under the pen name Jessica Stilling and Science Fiction and Fantasy under the pen name JM Stephen. Her work has appeared in many publications including Bust Magazine, The Ms. Magazine Blog, Tor.com, Wasafiri, The Warwick Review and The Writer Magazine. She is a freelance writer for the Deerfield Valley News out of Southern Vermont. She has taught Creative Writing at The City University of New York, the State University of New York, The Gotham Writers Workshop and The New School.

Praise for Jessica's Work

"Stilling’s take on this familiar tale is provocative and poignant, rich with emotion and powerfully described, laced with profound contemplation about dying too soon and growing up too quickly."

- Publisher's Weekly review of Betwixt and Between

"At turns happy and unbearably sad, Betwixt and Between is a beautifully realized re-imagining of a classic story that will enchant readers as the original did. "

- Booklist starred review of Betwixt and Between

'Stephen creates a story propelled by battles and political and social savvy alike as each twin comes into his and her own powers, yet remains firmly connected to family....Stephen captures the rise of powers and magic in this world. The result is a story fueled by passion and energy that will attract and delight young adult fantasy readers with its special brand of coming-of-age and magical transformations. Libraries looking for strong beginnings to series presentations will find The ise of Runes and Shields a powerful introduction to a broken world that requires fixing on many new levels." -- The Midwest Book Review of The Rise of Runes and Shields, Book I of the Seidr Sagas

"Brimming with suspense and carefully controlled darkness, the sounds and smells of Greece waft from every page as Stilling moves back and forth from Lydia's past life to her present with a dexterity and skill commensurate with Audrey Niffenegger." - Damian McNicholl, author of A Son Called Gabriel and The Moment of Truth review of The Weary God of Ancient Travelers

"A suspenseful read that follows a woman with no memory except for her arrival in Santorini with a man she’s drawn to trust. How can she trust this mysterious man if she doesn’t even remember his name? She navigates her own mind in search of her past and identity which is a journey derailed by memories of a life that wasn’t hers. Jessica Stilling sets the story among a backdrop of stunning scenes of Greece described as being almost visceral with a unique compilation of romance, mystery, and self-inspection. The Weary God of Ancient Travelers is considered compelling as the story weaves between her past life to her present one and set upon descriptions of Greece that come to life off the page."

-- San Francisco Book Review of the Weary God of Ancient Travelers

"Nod is a compelling retelling of a Biblical land that only receives casual mention in the early part of the Bible, but here receives embellishment and a perspective that is compelling, unusual, and hard to put down." - The Midwest Book Review of Nod

"5 Stars" - Whispering Stories Book Review of The Weary God of Ancient Travelers

"The blend of romance, the compelling-almost visceral-descriptions of Greece, mystery, and the psychological self-inspection all work together to create an absolutely compelling piece worthy of high recommendation." - D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review of The Weary God of Ancient Travelers

"Stilling's insightful connections, imagery-rich prose, and compassionate exploration of her characters will stay with you long after this novel ends." - Kate Angus, author of So Late to the Party review of The Beekeeper's Daughter

"An elegantly-crafted and brave tale of the struggle of the artist against betrayal, madness, and myth. Haunted throughout by the legacy of Sylvia Plath, The Beekeeper's Daughter mingles fact and fiction, past and present, into a story that you won't want to put down."

- Danny Goldberg, author of Serving the Servants: Remembering Kurt Cobain review of The Beekeeper's Daughter