Author Kosoko Jackson will appear at Tattered Cover on October 7 following the release of his new queer YA horror novel The Forest Demands Its Due. Local author David Slayton, bestselling author of White Trash Warlock and Trailer Park Trickster, will appear at the event in conversation with Jackson.
Jackson will also be signing copies of his new book at this appearance. The Forest Demands Its Due is a queer, young adult horror novel that entwines gothic horror with relevant critiques of racism and queerphobia. In his book, Jackson examines the violence and policing acted upon young black queer bodies while leading readers on a chilling adventure fitting for the Halloween season. This will be Jackson’s first horror novel, a step away from his last two romance novels I’m So Not Over You and A Dash of Salt and Pepper, which also focused on Black, queer individuals.
The Forest Demands Its Due takes on a dark academic tone within its setting as protagonist Douglas Jones attends a prestigious academy that harbors a dark secret. Of his choice of setting, Jackson says, “As someone who grew up in a predominantly white institution, I remember how hard it was to navigate this space while holding onto my Blackness and not feeling like a part of me had to be sacrificed to survive. The Forest Demands Its Due is a story that discusses how these spaces chip away at the parts that make anyone unique…”
Jackson champions being black and queer in his work and infuses his dark, fantastical tale with allegories for real-world experiences and traumas that come from being Black and queer in spaces that are not “made” for you. Another important aspect that comes up in Jackson’s book is the inclusion of “(…) queer characters that could be seen as heroes, villains, complex, and every adjective possible; not just plot elements” in Jackson’s own words. And for those curious literary oriented minds, Jackson’s book takes inspiration from classic dark fairy tales such as the Brothers Grimm, gothic fantasy, and historical documents.
Readers can attend Kosoko Jackson and David Slayton’s free event at the Tattered Cover – Colfax in Denver on October 7, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. The Forest Demands its Due releases on October 3 and can be preordered for $19.99 via Harper Collins.
