J Leigh Nelson

A writer, dabbling artist, and social media spirit guide ushering authors into the web world

ABOUT ME

I love stories. I'm a story-maker and a story-absorber. Although I dabble in many forms of story-telling from written words to visual arts to film, I channel most of my effort into writing. On my website, you can find descriptions of my novels and short story writing samples.

I also like working with other people's stories. After finishing four years studying Creative Writing in La Crosse, Wisconsin and six weeks at NYU's Summer Publishing Institute. I stayed in New York City for a year before accepting a full-time position in book publishing in New Jersey.

I am always working on projects, but I am obsessed with traveling: I studied in London, rode a gondola, been in the Coliseum, been to the top of the Eiffel Tower, got lost in Paris, seen the Tower of Pisa, had a Belgian waffle (in Belgium), seen the Mona Lisa, stood on the Spanish Steps, been inside Notre Dame, seen the changing of the guard (twice), rode the London Eye (twice), kissed the Blarney Stone, seen Stonehenge, been to the Roman Baths, swam in the ocean, touched a beached shark, touched a 1500 year old tree, toured a haunted prison, seen wild dolphins, pet a dolphin (in captivity), held Jimi Hendrix's guitar, studied in Manhattan, crossed Abbey Road (twice), rode on the Formula One track, saw the Pope on Easter.

I also enjoy going to events like concerts, theatre, and comedy shows. I have met, and in some cases worked with, some of my favorite artists and performers. I have experience planning events including concerts, theatre, dance, and book events.

FAVORITES

AUTHORS: Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Ray Bradbury, Neil Gaiman, Henry David Thoreau

BOOKS: Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams, Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett, Murder Mysteries by Neil Gaiman, The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail by Robert E. Lee and Jerome Lawrence, The Return by Bentley Little, The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak, Paper Towns by John Green, R is for Rocket by Ray Bradbury, The Pilo Family Circus by Will Elliott

PLAYS: Ragtime, Hamlet, The Mousetrap, Wicked, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Equus, Marisol, Les Miserables

MUSIC: Josh Joplin, Among the Oak and Ash, Blessid Union of Souls, Barenaked Ladies, Darren Hayes, Jonathan Rundman, David Bowie, Bascom Hill, Michael Andrews, The Kooks, The Fratellis, Eagle-Eye Cherry, Hank Green, Holiday, Loudon Wainwright III, Magic Alex, Tracy Howe, Thirsty Merc, Ryanhood, Sara McLeod, Savage Garden, Temposhark, Tyler and Andy, Chameleon Circuit, Kate Nash, Josh Ritter

MOVIES: Labyrinth, MirrorMask, DayWatch, NightWatch, Identity, Cube, Cube Zero, Serenity, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, 28 Days, Wonder Man, Bang Bang You're Dead

DIRECTORS: Vincenzo Natali, Terry Gilliam, Edgar Wright

ONLINE SHOWS: Car Pool, Vlogbrothers, Wet Liberal Whenever, Rhett and Link

PODCASTS: The Ricky Gervais Show, Robin Ince's Utter Shambles

COMEDIANS: Ricky Gervais, Robin Ince, Lee Camp, Josie Long, Michael Palascak, Derek Hughes

BRITISH TV: Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes, Spaced, Doctor Who, Torchwood, Graham Norton Show, Red Dwarf, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Fawlty Towers, Extras, Jonathan Ross, Black Books

AMERICAN/CANADIAN TV: Firefly, Dead Like Me, 2 Guys and a Girl

Name: Jaime Nelson
Pen-name: J Leigh Nelson
Contact: serenityyrd@yahoo.com
Place of Origin: Madison, WI
Location: New Jersey
Education: BA in English (writing/rhetoric)
Certificate in Publishing
Occupation: Book publishing: publicity, marketing, and social media