Jacksonville Novelist nominated for NAACP Image Award

[duvaldude08]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Brenda Jackson wrote her first love stories as a student at Northwestern Middle School.  More than 40 years later, she has been recognized by the NAACP for outstanding work in literature. 

Jackson and her novel, A Silken Thread, will be honored Friday at the 43rd Annual NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles. 

She is one of five finalists up for the prestigious award. 

"So even if I don't win, it will still... be an honor that I got so many people to read my books that it was recognized," said Jackson.  "That's all I can ask for and I'm really pleased with that and very proud."   

Jackson started writing in 1994 and has published 92 romance and women's fiction books.  She was the first African-American romance novelist to make the New York Times Bestseller's List. 

However, Jackson said being recognized by the NAACP is in a category all its own. 

"This is something different.  This is just very overwhelming for me and it's very, very wonderful," Jackson explained.

The NAACP Image Awards air Friday on NBC beginning at 8:00 p.m.

[ben says]

For a bibliophile like me, this is very 'cool' news. Congrats to Brenda.