My name is Andrea Jackson. I call myself the Paperback Diva because I love reading as well as writing genre paperback fiction.

The Slam Jam conference is very special to me, since it launched my career as a writer.

From the third grade on, I had a book in my hands. When I reached my teen years, I began to venture into creating stories for my friends. I continued to write off and on through many years of work, marriage and family. But I did not seriously think of it as a career until, in 1992, I entered Writer's Digest monthly contest and won. That made me believe I might actually be a real writer. I joined Romance Writers of America and learned about the business and craft of writing.

In 2002, I entered the Heart and Soul contest for the Romance Slam Jam conference. I placed third or fourth. That year an editor from Genesis Press was one of the final round judges. Almost immediately after the conference, I shot a query off to Genesis, noting my position in the Slam Jam contest. And they bought it!

Bodyguard was followed by Hand in Glove and Who's That Lady? Bodyguard has been reissued due to its popularity. Ask for ISBN: 1-58571-235-3 at your bookstore.

Since then I've attended the conference in Atlanta and the one last year in Chicago. I had a blast at both of them! Nothing compares to the Slam Jam conference. I meet authors I adore, fans who've read my books, reviewers, editors and agents, all excited about the multicultural fiction market. I renew connections, meet on-line buddies, and make lots of new friends. This is the must-go-to conference!

Keep checking on my website www.pbdiva.com for more about my upcoming books and appearances.

Andrea Jackson