Work samples
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Virtual Reading "tender, a literary anthology and book of spells: evidence."In 2019, three of my poems were published in the anthology, "tender, a literary anthology and book of spells: evidence." This virtual reading shares my poems for "tender" in an event that was sponsored by White Whale Bookstore on July 24, 2020.
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REVOLT: Black Joy Still Exists, It Always Will (Preview video)"REVOLT: Black Joy Still Exists, It Always Will" features 13 artists (photographers and writers, including myself) and this video shares a preview of what is showcased in the full virtual exhibit.
About Jennifer N.
Baltimore City
Jennifer N. Shannon (@writerjns) is a native of Cheraw, SC which is also the birthplace of famous jazz musician, Dizzy Gillespie. While she has lived in several cities both in the south and north, she has kept her southern heritage as a foundation in her writing.
Jennifer has written and published three books and she has had short stories and poems published in several literary magazines such as "Deep South," "… more
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REVOLT: Black Joy Still Exists, It Always Will
"REVOLT: Black Joy Still Exists, It Always Will" is a virtual exhibition that was born out of a need to see something other than what was being shown in the media about Black people. I felt that after the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, I—and everyone I knew—needed to feel energy that was joyous, happy and peaceful, so I put out a call for submissions on my social channels and within my personal networks. This led to me showcasing the poetry and photography of 13 artists from across the country on my social media channels and website.
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REVOLT: Black Joy Still Exists, It Always Will (Preview video)"REVOLT: Black Joy Still Exists, It Always Will" features 13 artists (photographers and writers, including myself) and this video shares a preview of what is showcased in the full virtual exhibit.
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Black Joy Exhibition DetailsIn this 1-minute video, I share my reasons for creating "REVOLT: Black Joy Still Exists, It Always Will" and details regarding participation.
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Black Boy Joy by Elijah PittmanA photograph submission by Elijah Pittman for "REVOLT: Black Joy Still Exists, It Always Will" virtual exhibition.
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Family Reunion by Carrie ShannonA photograph submission by Carrie Shannon for "REVOLT: Black Joy Still Exists, It Always Will" virtual exhibition.
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Baby Love by Ebony MasseyA photograph submission by Ebony Massey for "REVOLT: Black Joy Still Exists, It Always Will" virtual exhibition.
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We Smile by Jennifer N. ShannonMy photography submission for "REVOLT: Black Joy Still Exists, It Always Will" virtual exhibition.
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Joy to Breathe by Angel Farrah FanninA poem by Angel Farrah Fannin for "REVOLT: Black Joy Still Exists, It Always Will" virtual exhibit.
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southern sweet talkin' by Regina AdkinsA poem by Regina Adkins for "REVOLT: Black Joy Still Exists, It Always Will" virtual exhibition.
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There Is Just Something About Us by Tyrone N. ManningTyrone N. Manning's poem from "REVOLT: Black Joy Still Exists, It Always Will" virtual exhibit.
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We Smile by Jennifer N. ShannonMy poem from "REVOLT: Black Joy Still Exists, It Always Will" virtual exhibition.
Books by Jennifer N. Shannon
I have written and published three books. Silent Teardrops my first novel was published in 2004, for the LOVE, short stories and poems, Vol. 1 in 2009 and for the LOVE...Vol. 2, an e-book in 2014.
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Silent Teardrops"Silent Teardrops" is my first novel and was inspired by a short story I wrote in college which received praise from my professor. It is set in a small South Carolina town in the 1970's and follows four members of one family as the connections between them are tested by a difficult present and a haunted past. There is adultery, drug abuse, lies, and deceit and it is told through the eyes of each character. "Silent Teardrops" uses dialect that is down home and southern and it takes the reader on an emotional journey. I am excited to say that I am working on my second novel titled, "155 James Street."
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"Silent Teardrops" book covers - Old & NewBack in 2004 when I first self-published "Silent Teardrops" I didn't know a thing about what I was doing. But as I got more experienced with writing and editing, I decided to revise my novel and bring in a professional, objective voice to help. In 2010, I re-released "Silent Teardrops" with a new cover and with an updated story on the inside.
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for the LOVE, short stories and poems, Vol. 1"for the LOVE, short stories and poems, Vol. 1 is a collection of short stories, poems and art which explore love, spirituality, fear and so much more. This is my second published book and I followed it up with "for the LOVE...Vol. 2" in 2014. Fun fact: "Runaway," the last story in this book was my first published piece by a literary journal. "Deep South Magazine" shared my work with the world and has since published two more of my short stories.
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for the LOVE...Vol. 2"for the LOVE...Vol. 2," is an e-book that picks up where Vol. 1 ends—by using blogs, poetry and photography to tell a story. I wrote it and presented it in this way because I wanted to uplift spirits, provide guidance and give hope by combining several of my creative passions into one collection.
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Silent Teardrops newspaper articleThis is the announcement that was made in my local newspaper back home about my novel "Silent Teardrops" and book signing on Feb. 26, 2005.
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Book signing on Feb. 26, 2005In this photo I was talking to a crowded room in my hometown of Cheraw, SC—introducing them to "Silent Teardrops." I went there with 100 books and sold them all. It was truly an awesome experience.
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Book signing, Columbia, SC in 2009When "for the LOVE, short stories and poems, Vol. 1" came out in 2009 I decided to not only share my work in my hometown of Cheraw, SC, I also went to Columbia, SC and other places in and outside of Atlanta, GA.
"tender, a literary anthology and book of spells: evidence"
Three of my poems were published in the 2019 anthology, "tender, a literary anthology and book of spells: evidence." I submitted my poems back in early 2017 while living in Pittsburgh, PA. This book explores what tenderness means to Black women through various forms of art and literature. It was truly inspiring to be chosen as one of the 19 artists featured in this beautiful anthology.
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"tender, a literary anthology and book of spells: evidence" book cover"tender, a literary anthology and book of spells: evidence" features 19 black women artists as they explore what tenderness means to them.
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Virtual Reading "tender, a literary anthology and book of spells: evidence."In 2019, three of my poems were published in the anthology, "tender, a literary anthology and book of spells: evidence." This virtual reading shares my poems for "tender" in an event that was sponsored by White Whale Bookstore on July 24, 2020.
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Jennifer reading at the City of Asylum in Pittsburgh, PA - Feb. 2020Readings are the way I bring my work to life and before the pandemic shut everything down, I was able to share my three poems that were published in "tender, a literary anthology and book of spells: evidence," to a "sold out" crowd (however the event was free). Since that day I have done two virtual readings with my "tender..." family. The first, titled "A Celebration of Black Womxn & Femmes in Pittsburgh" was sponsored by White Whale Bookstore and the second was "New Work, Process & Practice" by the Frick Museum in Pittsburgh, PA.
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The black women artist from "tender..."Here is an image of the 19 women who contributed to "tender, a literary anthology and book of spells: evidence."
Short Stories + Poetry + Videos
I've had short stories and poems published in several literary magazines such as Deep South, The Auburn Avenue, Tuck Magazine and an essay forthcoming in North Dakota Quarterly in spring 2021. Also this year, my poem "When She Calls" will be shared in the online exhibition titled Identity from the Maryland State Arts Council.
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May 3, 2018 - Reading Last SermonWhile I was living in Pittsburgh, PA, I was a part of the Hour After Happy Hour Writers Group. I was honored when they asked me to read one of my pieces at their bi-annual event. I chose to read, "Last Sermon" a short story which had been published in "Deep South Magazine" in 2015.
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HomeThis video uses words, photographs and music to tell a story of my hometown and home state. I created this after capturing images and writing words that helped me to articulate what South Carolina meant to me and how it influenced the woman I am today. Note: this video was created before the Confederate flag was removed from the S.C. state house grounds.
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If (word poem)"If" is a video poem I created with animated words from my ebook, "for the LOVE...Vol. 2."
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what who whenI created this video poem in 2012 to give honor to those who came before us and those who paved the way for freedom...
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ode to love from "for the LOVE, short stories and poems, Vol. 1"I used vacation footage from 2014 to capture the feelings from my poem "ode to love" from my book "for the LOVE, short stories and poems, Vol. 1."
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scars - part 2 from "for the LOVE, short stories and poems, Vol. 1."This is my visual interpretation of my poem, scars - part 2, from my book "for the love, short stories and poems, vol. 1." Not only am I the writer, director, narrator and producer of the video, I am also the star actress. :)
2040 Review
2040 Review was a literary journal dedicated to enhancing bookshelves by showcasing authors & reviewers of color. My partner and I created 2040 Review after discovering the lack of book review journals dedicated to authors and reviewers of color. I was the creative director and she was the editorial director. The idea formed in 2017, at the Muse and the Marketplace conference, hosted in Boston by GrubStreet, where we both were attending and met during the writers of color meet up.
The publication title—2040 Review—was inspired by author David Mura. During his 2017 MUSE session, he echoed the projection that by 2040 people of color will no longer be the minority in the U.S. This projection not only influenced the publication's name, it also infused 2040 Review with an energetic mission to showcase writers of color and shift the culture of literature throughout the world.
2040 Review published its final issue in 2019.
The publication title—2040 Review—was inspired by author David Mura. During his 2017 MUSE session, he echoed the projection that by 2040 people of color will no longer be the minority in the U.S. This projection not only influenced the publication's name, it also infused 2040 Review with an energetic mission to showcase writers of color and shift the culture of literature throughout the world.
2040 Review published its final issue in 2019.
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2040 Review Preview Issue2040 Review's preview issue provided insights into our mission, short bios of the team and several book reviews by writers of color.
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2040 Review Issue 1In the April 2019 Issue of 2040 Review, we featured Dariel Suarez, indie publishers, reviewers and book reviews in poetry, young adult and children's and non-fiction.
Photography
Ultimately, I am a creative. I love to write but I also enjoy telling stories through photography and art and any other tools available. It's what I do! And I have an exciting project that I will be working on in 2021 that will take me along the east coast and involves the heavy usage of my Minolta XG-M.
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MigrationThis photograph was taken in my hometown of Cheraw, S.C. and speaks to my fascination with trains. The poem that accompanies this image is titled "Migration." Both were published in "The Auburn Avenue" literary magazine, along with two other poems. https://www.theauburnavenue.com/threepoemsbyjns
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VoicesI was born and raised in Cheraw, SC, the birthplace of jazz great, Dizzy Gillespie. This statue is in the center of town and pays homage to the legend. I captured this image and used it to inspire my poem "Voices" which was published in "The Auburn Avenue" literary magazine along with this photo. https://www.theauburnavenue.com/threepoemsbyjns
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FreedomOn a trip to Havana in 2017, I was able to see the city. This photograph not only represented the culture I experienced, it was also published in "The Auburn Avenue" literary magazine along with my poem "Freedom." https://www.theauburnavenue.com/threepoemsbyjns
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WinterBaltimore on a cold gloomy day.
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ColorsSome of the colors I saw in Graffiti Alley in West Baltimore.
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Worms Eye View"Worms Eye View" is all about perspective and what you can and can't see.
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SunlightLook towards the light.
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16th Street BridgeOne spring day in Pittsburgh, PA, snow fell and covered everything in sight—the 16th street bridge, trees, the sidewalk and well, you get the picture.
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SignsThe road may end but the journey continues...
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Love MeA poem and photograph from my book "for the LOVE, short stories and poems, Vol. 1."