about the author

Who is Quan L. Jackson? 

 —that’s an ever changing answer, but if I’m going to open up, I want it to be pure and for that to be so, my name given at birth is as good a place to start as any.  

Born Quantavis Levon Jackson, along with his twin brother, Shawn in Fort Myers Florida. Quan is a scholar, who received a full scholarship to Gardner-Webb University (Boiling Springs, NC). Quan parlayed his gifts on the gridiron and classroom into an opportunity to explore life outside of the Sunshine State. A first generation graduate giving credit to this achievement to his mother, (Kathy) and Father (Larry) along with his late grandmother, (Rachel) for their continued support. Quan earned his degree in Sociology in December 2010 and is a proud alumni of the Runnin' Bulldogs.

Quan learned at a young age that he had a penchant for words. Whether it was word searches or crossword puzzles; his leisure time was typically around words and exploring them and their meanings. Quan looks back at moments that his older cousin, Sedrick and he had; where they would both choose random words from a dictionary and challenge themselves to free-style raps using words in their appropriate context. Born with a speech impediment, Quan believes and credits the intense speech therapy he still remembers as a child as the sole reason he is able to retain and has grown the appreciation for language like he has. 

A fan of many activists, poets and an appreciation of literature, Quan enjoys reading the likes of Langston Hughes, James “Jimmy” Baldwin, Yann Martel, W.E.B. Du Bois, Shel Silverstein, Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, Oscar Brown Jr and studies the humanitarian efforts of those like Muhammad Ali. 

He aspires to create workshops for children across the nation where he is able to speak about the importance of literature along with reading and writing.  Quan created Whale Written Productions as a space to cultivate multi-genres for the arts.  Where artist can create something that’s lasting and equal parts beautiful. 

When not writing Quan enjoys being someone his family and friend's can count on and spends many of his days meandering the city of Dallas,Tx where he has recently relocated with his dog, Uro. Open to inspiration through scenery, people or the winds, Quan is a self described caterpillar, still remembering that he is nearing adaptation into a butterfly. A soul that is willing to bare it all, then layer up just to expose more vulnerabilities in what is written to pad. A writer of words, might I add. Whether Spoken word poetry, prose or novels.