The Okay Jackson Blog

Blog Entry

2009-10-15T12:12:00.001-07:00

Wow – it's fall already. And mid-Fall at that! (It's very easy to forget this where the average daily temperature has remained in the 80s and 90s until very recently!)

While I haven't been blogging much lately, I have been moving – back once again to Tybee Island. My good friend Betty Darby has suggested I need a tattoo on my forehead reading: "If found, return to Tybee Island." She may be right.

And I'm told there's actually a bet on among my friends and family on how soon I'll be moving again. Be advised, you may safely put your money on the "never" column. I'm done.

Book sales, like the rest of the economy, have been sluggish over the summer, but things are picking up now that Christmas is approaching and I have several parties lined up for before and even during the holidays. If you'd like to hostess a party locally just email me at wakingupmen@yahoo.com - or call me at 912-472-4266. You'll get a free book if you do! J

July 2009

2009-07-10T16:29:00.001-07:00

July, 2009

Mid-summer heat has us all tah'rd here in Savannah, but that hasn't stopped many of my good friends from hosting book parties for me. We all had a wonderful time on July 5^th at Lisa Callahan's lovely home on Tybee where, among other things, we all ate some of Lisa's delicious homemade bread washed down with sweet, iced, herbed tea. (Lucky us!)

And I'm looking forward to just as much fun on July 16^th when Peri and Demetre Kyriacos hold the same kind of event at their charming house in Savannah.

My friends are all stepping up with parties because next month I'm on the move once again – this time to Florida in the town of Spring Hill near Tampa. I'll be living there with my daughter and her family and settling down to some productive writing on my next book.

I admit to dreading the moving part (hard work!), but am looking forward to being settled. I've thoroughly enjoyed my stay here with dear friend Christy Pingel, but it's time to get down to some serious writing again (as "serious" as I get) and I've learned that I need my "stuff" around me to accomplish that.

Back in June I sold books at a Chamber of Commerce Trade Show event at the invite of all the good folks at PressWorks (the same folks who did such a wonderful job at printing my books in the first place.) I also spoke to seniors groups at several different Savannah churches in June and, as always, enjoyed them tremendously. I do very well with seniors groups since now "I are one."

And I'm on Facebook now, but I've yet to see much advantage to it over plain email. If you think differently – please share! J

Finally, my Savannah "Peeps" need to know that, after my upcoming move and settling in, I fully intend to climb aboard an Amtrak train every other month to come "home" for a visit with friends and family.

May 1, 2009

2009-05-01T11:02:00.001-07:00

May 1, 2009

I can't believe the calendar page is already on May. Is it just me - or is 2009 really moving faster than any other year before it? Time flies, whether we're having fun or not, so I'm glad that I'm mostly having fun!

There are three book talks scheduled this month so far, one on May 8^th, one on May 19, and another on the 22^nd, articles to write for The Skinnie magazine, and ongoing work on my new book. Those things, together with working in the garden (you should see my tomatoes!), and visiting with friends and family, keep me happily keep'n on as the weather moves slowly from warm and wonderful toward the annual hot and humid months of summer.

I had an absolute blast as speaker for the Tybee Lighthouse Volunteers annual awards dinner last month. What a great bunch of folks they are that contribute their time and talent to make visitors have a wonderful museum experience. The one thing I forgot to mention during my talk was that my mother was a Tybee Lighthouse Museum volunteer back in the day, which gives me a personal connection to them all!

We had a huge loss in April, however, with the death of my children's beloved 86-year-old Grandmother – and my second "Mom" - Margy Saunders. Her grandchildren (and many of her great-grandchildren) all attended the funeral held in Warner Robins, GA, driving there from coastal Georgia and Tampa, Fla., or flying in from Pembroke, GA, Seattle, and England. It was wonderful to see my far-flung offspring all assembled in one place, but it was a very sad day for us all.

April

2009-03-30T08:13:00.001-07:00

April is upon us and a busy springtime it has been indeed! But not too busy for me to forget how to appreciate the beauty of Savannah's annual Big Bloom! I hope those of you here are enjoying the azaleas, dogwood, wisteria, blossoming fruit trees, etc. as much as I am – and for those of you far away, well, I am really sorry you're not here! J

I recently connected with our delightful Port Chaplain Andrew E.V. Krey and he invited me to the Spring Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church held at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church near Savannah's containerport in Garden City, GA. As I got out of my car that morning I could hear the container cranes working right across the highway!

Before giving his interesting power-point presentation on his port ministry, Chaplain Krey gave Waking Up Men a nice "commercial" plug as I stood there, smiling big, and holding up the book for all to see – kind of like the gals do on "The Price is Right."

Also in March I was invited to the Grand Opening party for the new pilot office/base in Charleston, S.C. It's a two-hour drive each way, but I up and went anyway and I'm so glad that I did. I enjoyed being around the river people there (many of whom are very supportive fans of Waking Up Men) and getting to meet, face to face, people I've only talked with on the phone over the years – especially dispatcher Kathi Legette (I quoted her in the 2nd edition), and also their brand new dispatcher, Lee Ann Ward (already doing a great job).The new pilot facility, built to withstand Category 3 hurricane winds, is right in the historic waterfront area of the city. Both building - and view - are spectacular.

There are lots of upcoming activities on my calendar, including breakfast with Gordon Varnedoe and the Continuing Education folks at Armstrong this week, a scheduled talk for the seniors group at First Baptist on Isle of Hope on April 8^th, lunch at Savannah's Propeller Club with Chaplain Krey on April 9, being guest speaker for the Tybee Museum Volunteer Dinner on April 15^th, and several other talks in May and June that I'll report on as they get closer.

And finally, I have revisited my copious notes for my next book and have begun the organizational process and writing of "Kids and Other Pets." Look for it in print sometime in 2010 – if all goes well!

2009-01-09T15:20:00.001-08:00

Jan. 9, 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!

The New Year has barely begun and my personal calendar is already full of special events, both professional and personal.

My daughter and her Irish husband and their three little leprechauns have just moved from Ireland to Tampa, Florida and we are busy planning many visits back and forth over the next few months, scheduling them in between book events!

But I'll be front and center as an exhibitor at the big Savannah Book Festival on February 7. This constantly expanding annual event is very well attended and I am excited about participating for my first time this year. I'll have all three of my books on display - so if you're in the area on that date, come on by! The festival is free to the public and it's a terrific event.

On March 19 I'm the scheduled guest speaker for the Pilots' Club in Statesboro, GA and am really looking forward to meeting in person some of the very nice women I've spoken with to arrange this event. I have some upcoming book club activities lining up in the Statesboro area, too – more on them as plans jell.

And on March 24, from 6:30 .p.m. till 8:30 p.m., and again in that time slot the following week on the 31^st,I'll be teaching a workshop on self-publishing at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah. To attend contact Kyle Smith at conted@armstrong.edu

November 20, 2008

2008-11-20T17:10:00.001-08:00

November 20, 2008

The book business, like the rest of the economy, is on slow at the moment, although I did have signings at The Book gift shop in Savannah last weekend and have another one coming up there the afternoon of November 28^th.

And my Atlanta daughter, Oria, is hosting a book party for me there on December 7^th which I know will be fun and, hopefully, profitable.

Then, on December 12^th, I'm speaking to the Forever Young Group of St. Peter's Catholic Church on Wilmington Island.

And every day right now I get up expecting to hear about a major book deal that is still pending (and pending, and pending) which, if it happens, will make my holidays merry and bright indeed.

Meanwhile, I'm handing out copies of my resume' like gumdrops to various newspapers and magazines, trying to pick up some part time employment to supplement my book sales income. So if you know of anything going for someone with my varied talents (writing, cooking, gardening, dispatching, public speaking, etc.) – let me hear from you!

Happy Thanksgiving Day Week everyone! I hope your Turkey Day is filled with friends, family, and feasting, as mine promises to be – reminding us all how very much we have to be thankful for as we launch into the Holiday Season.

October 17, 2008

2008-10-17T11:50:00.001-07:00

October 17, 2008

The address to my blog site got LOST during my move these past few weeks, but my wonderful son, Forrest, just sent it to me again, so here's a quick update!

The house move is behind me and could not have been accomplished without the help of Jimmy Hogan and his grandson, and also Ian and Jordan, Clay and Susanne. It was a lot of work getting it done in a day, but it got done thanks to the above named, and I am lov'n it here! The fur people love it, too. In fact, Sailor finally figured out he's a Labrador and won't come out of the lake! (swamp).

It took a week to get back on line and then I had a computer glitch that knocked me back off line for another few days, but – fingers crossed – I'm up and working on line again at long last.

In addition to moving house, my brother, Robert, from Lacey, Washington, and his daughter, my niece, Delinda, showed up at the same time from her home in Pennsylvania. And a good time was had by all!

Work wise, since the last blog entry, I have appeared on WJCL-TV and Fox News, meeting co-anchor of the coastal source morning news shows, Jessica Kiss, for the first time. What a treat she was to get to know - and revisiting Lynde there was very good, too. http://www.thecoastalsource.com/news/local/30739079.html

Skirt Magazine in Savannah featured me in their October edition – savannah.skirt.com – and that was fun, too! Terrific picture by Jade McCully made me laugh.

Spoke to the delightful folks at the Lions' Club on Sept. 11, the laugh-out-loud seniors of First Baptist Church in Savannah, and had a book signing on Oct. 11 at E. Shaver's Booksellers in downtown Savannah.

A signing scheduled for Oct. 12 at Seaside Sisters on Highway 80 on Tybee got cancelled due to bad weather. It's set to go again this coming Sunday, Oct. 19, from 1-4 – so please drop by if you're on the island.

My agent, Cynthia, has been in Savannah from NYC a couple of times in recent weeks so we could rehash old business and plan new ventures.

And that, plus many book sales, plus company, plus moving to the country, has kept me busy since we last met here.

More soonest!

And enjoy the High Holy Day (Halloween) now almost upon us! J

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blog entry

2008-08-31T15:56:00.001-07:00

August 31, 2008

Tune your radio dials to WSVH Public Radio – station 91.1 FM on your dial – at 6 p.m., Tuesday, September 2, to listen to the program you find there. You should hear a familiar voice at some point during the broadcast!

August was a busy, busy month – with many talks given and many books sold – and September is already shaping up to keep me just as much on the go. I have a couple of really exciting events in the works (make that three) that I'm itching to tell you all about, but I don't want to spoil the big surprises when they come to pass. Keep checking in here so you don't miss any future announcements!

On the evening of the 8^th I'll be speaking to members of well-known Savannah author Rosemary Danielle's Secrets of the Zona Rosa group. That promises to be a very fun evening as my buddy, Savannah's Batman (Gordon Varnedoe), has threatened to attend.

On Sept. 11^th I'm scheduled to speak to members of the Lion's Club at their noon luncheon at the Savannah Golf Club. My lively friend Trot Hurd will be there, so that promises to be another fun event.

My business partner Cynthia Fritts Stillwell was here from NYC the last week in August and we spent one full day of planning (and laughing) together, lining up events through the rest of this year and beyond. All I can say is, if you think it's been interesting around this website up till now - you haven't seen anything yet!

On a personal note, my brother, Robert, and my niece, Delinda, will be visiting me at the end of this month from Washington State and Pennsylvania. And my daughter and her family are almost ready for their move to Statesboro, Georgia from their home in Ireland. I'm looking for them the end of this month - or early next! Son Clay earned his pilot's license this past month, son Forrest bought a Chinese Junk, and son Delton is in the process of acquiring a (haunted?) mansion in England.

I'll be moving out near Statesboro, too, the first week in October. I've found a place out in the country on a lake, dock, and a lot covered over with figs, scuppernongs, and blue berry bushes. It's a 35-40 minute straight shot into Savannah from there so I won't be that far from business and friends – but I'll be lots closer to my kids and grandkids, and that's very attractive to me. It feels like a great place to write, too, so maybe I'll make a start on my next book in the reasonably near future …

Meanwhile, the books I have in print are all doing great. Waking Up Men's second edition got a rave (front page!) review wonderfully written by Savannah Morning News reporter and portside columnist Mary Mayle (posted here), and in Savannah it has been Number One on E. Shaver Bookseller's Best Seller list going on its third week!

Then They All Got Naked is earning its own good reviews (and sales), this one from the owner of a lifestyle club in another state:

"We love the book and it is so right on point. We have had several of our patrons ask to borrow it, but we told them "No way, support this lady in every way you can." We thank you for giving swinging a fair shake as it were. … if you are ever in our neck of the woods, let us set up book signing … Good Luck, Gennie D."

I had a book signing in a club in Atlanta in early August and it went very well, so send me some directions, Gennie, and I'll see about getting there! J

Content from SavannahNow.com

2008-08-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

thought you would like to see the SavannahNow.com web site.

Message from Sender:

Latest and greatest on "Waking Up Men!"

'Waking Up Men' back in bookstores
by Mary Carr Mayle

O.Kay Jackson's "Waking Up Men," a fascinating, irreverent and often hilarious ode to Savannah's port and the folks who bring the world upriver, is in its second printing and back on bookshelves around town.

Click here to read more on our site

TV Appearance Ahead

2008-07-24T08:52:00.001-07:00

7/24/08

Savannah's TV celebrity Sonny Dixon has once again invited me to be on his WTOC-TV morning talk program this coming Tuesday, July 29, at 10 a.m., to talk about the reprint of Waking Up Men. I hope those of you in this area will adjust your dial and tune in. It should be fun!

Following the TV event, I'll be signing books from 2-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, August 1 and 2, at E. Shaver's Booksellers in downtown Savannah.

On August 8 I'll again be speaking about Waking Up Men to members of the Military Order of the World Wars, Savannah Chapter. And I've had several more requests for talks from various groups for this fall, events I'll post here as the time gets closer.

This weekend I'm going to Atlanta for a book signing on Then They All Got Naked, which continues to find its readers – and fans. I've had several people tell me they enjoyed it even more than Waking Up Men. So if you haven't read it yet (Jerry!), it may be time to investigate what the new buzz is all about.

And my manager from NYC will be here the end of August to map out some very exciting special events, which you'll also read about here as they unfold! Keep coming back! J

July 19, 2008

2008-07-19T10:17:00.001-07:00

July 19, 2008

THE BIG NEWS IS – TAH DAH – WAKING UP MEN, AT LONG LAST, IS OFF THE PRESSES AND IN HAND!!!!

Yes, the second edition of Waking Up Men is finally available, complete with new prologue and epilogue, and even a spiffy reader's aid bookmark (the result of comments from readers of the first edition).

The blurb on the book cover is different, too, as are most of the back cover quotes, including this one from Captain John A. Jones, Retired Senior Pilot and Immediate Past Secretary-General of the International Maritime Pilots' Association:

"Waking Up Men is a book that I just did not want to put down! Crammed full of stories and anecdotes about the Savannah River and the people who work on it, it is highly entertaining, often very amusing, and best of all, TRUE! It is written by someone with inside knowledge of the day to day workings of a large port, and is an absolute must for anyone with even the slightest interest in Ships and Shipping."

I'm very pleased with the reprint. It's still a very fun read and it still makes a great gift for anyone on your list with a maritime interest – or a love of Savannah.

July 1

2008-07-01T11:34:00.001-07:00

July 1, 2008 –

I have fallen waaaay behind on my blog, but only because things are happening at a rapid rate and blogging has taken a back seat to everything else. Waking Up Men's second printing is taking place right now and book will be shipped to me this week. The timing is perfect as I sold my very last available copy of Waking Up Men at a house book party at the home of Jerry and Mary Anne Hogan this week!

Mary Anne had invited many of her good friends to the party, which was a great success and great fun! Mary Anne had set a table that should have been photographed for Better Homes and Gardens magazine She even served pink lemonade in stemmed crystal glasses with rims encrusted with pink-sugar! I remain impressed!

There have been other parties and speaking engagements too, keeping me nicely occupied while beginning a whole new level of book selling experience ever since I reconnected with Cynthia Stillwell, former Savannah Dynamo now living in New York City (and still a dynamo).

Good Savannah friend Gordon Varnedoe (aka: Batman, aka: General Oglethorpe) had me get in touch with Cynthia before my NYC book launching party and I'm so glad he did! Cynthia came to the party and bought a copy of Then They All Got Naked. We later met for lunch while I was still in Manhattan and, at her request, I passed along a copy of my two earlier books.

Cynthia liked them all. And the long and short of this serendipitous reconnection is that Cynthia – who wheels and deals and the very highest levels – has become my manager!

So continue to watch this space folks, because we're all about to take a very exciting rocket-ship ride to new and far-reaching places!

Ready … Set …. Go!

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

June 3, 2008

2008-06-03T16:27:00.001-07:00

The book launching party in NYC last week was amazing! It seemed like half the city's population turned out for the event, but some of them were people just out on the town in the city's historic district. Stone Street, I'm told, is the oldest street in NYC and Stone Street Tavern where my book signing/launching party was held - reeked of ambiance and good times.

Many, many of Heather Swanson's wonderful friends were there, plus a couple of mine, too. And many books flew off the table into eager buying hands, which is always fun the most fun ever for an author.

The following night Heather threw a Memorial Day Weekend Bar-B-Q for the neighbors in her Madison Avenue Condo, creating another evening of good times were had by all. I love New Yorkers and the folks who live in Heather's building are some of the best New Yorkers in the city.

If you missed either of these events, I'm sorry. But maybe next time when you're invited, you'll attend. J

May 8, 2008

2008-05-08T15:43:00.001-07:00

Look Out Big Apple!

The big, official, exciting book launching party for Then They All Got Naked will be held May 22 starting at 6 p.m. at the Stone Street Tavern at 52 Stone Street, NYC, NY. Many of the beautiful New York City models in the book's photographs will be there, as will Heather Swanson, the well-known NYC photographer who shot them. This is going to be one fabulous par-tay, so if you are anywhere near there on the 22^nd, come on by!

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April 25

2008-04-25T10:41:00.001-07:00

The book party held April 22 at the home of my friend Carol Sanders was so much fun that Carol plans to hostess another one! If you like fun-filled gatherings you should plan to hostess one, too. Let me hear from you and we'll set a date.

Then They All Got Naked continues to get great reviews, including the terrific one in the April 11^th edition of Savannah's interesting magazine The Skinnie.

In addition to upcoming parties and speaking engagements already mentioned, I'll be signing books at the upcoming Corvette Show the afternoon of May 3 at the lighthouse area on Tybee Island. And on Friday May 9^th I'll be doing a signing at the bookstore "Books and Crannies" in Statesboro, GA, from 1 to 4 p.m.

The American Business Women's Association will put me to work taking about my books at 12:30 on Sunday May 18^th at the Hyatt Regency in Savannah. And then, on May 22 I'll be off to NYC to sell some books at a number of special events there.

The folks at the Live Oak Public Libraries are enthusiastic about the new book, too, and have guaranteed a book order to get it into all the branches soon.

So there are no dull moments and stay tuned here as more will be revealed!

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4/17/08 feedback

2008-04-17T11:21:00.001-07:00

Those of you planning to attend the special maritime Potpourri Lecture on May 19 mentioned in the last blog entry will need to first contact Laurel See at 921-7462 to be sure sufficient seating will be available.

April 16, 2008

2008-04-16T12:12:00.001-07:00

Sanders!

She is one of my bestest friends in the whole wide world and her name is Carol Sanders, not "Saunders" as I typed in the recent blog entry saying she will be hosting a book party for me on April 22 at her beautiful home at The Landings.

I hope this isn't early onset Mad Cow Disease revealing itself, but how else to explain such a mistake? If you continue reading in the blog past that mistake however, on down to where I printed her wonderful review of my new book, you'll see that I got her name right in that entry proving that I do indeed know the names of my friends, at least most of the time.

Speaking of which, I've had two wonderful emails this week from friends here in Savannah and in Colorado who, like me, are blog-challenged. They each had glowing things to say about my book and I am typing their comments here, as they couldn't figure out how to put them on the blog themselves. Their comments follow:

"Nice try, Chickie, being demure in the intro to Then They All Got Naked, saying you might not be the right writer to tackle the swinging lifestyle. Your keen, kittenish playfulness, your journalistic wit and wisdom, your open-spirited waltz through the next adventuresome door your life opens for you make you the ideal writer. I laughed, giggled, blushed, got outraged, got horny, and absolutely loved the read. Let me know when your next chapter begins. Love, Rosebud," Savannah, GA.

And from Colorado:

"I am thoroughly enjoying your book. It's your best one yet! It's informative and extremely interesting. It definitely has a very nice emotional element to all of your stories! I'm actually halfway through it now the underlying commentary on human social and psychological behavior is really what I'm learning about 'between the lines.' WOW. What a book! . This is a very powerful book, and it should be in every bookstore in the country! See you in late May. Love and kisses to you and your big beautiful family. D.H.C."

My "old book" continues to have its many fans, too, and I'll be talking about it and the river environment at a rescheduled meeting on May 19 for the Life Long Learners of AASU. The announcement sent to their membership reads:

"Ever wonder how and who is responsible for ensuring all those ships that enter and leave the Port of Savannah accomplish it in a safe and efficient manner? Come, meet and hear about the folks of 'Rivertown,' those people who pilot the ships, operate the tugboats, schedule arrivals and departures, and on and on. A truly fascinating and largely unheralded group of peopled that labor day and night in all kinds of weather to ensure world commerce does not hit a snag in OUR RIVER AND PORT! O.Kay Jackson who worked the river for many years and authored the book "Waking Up Men" will present the story in this special Potpourri Lecture. Don't miss it! Regards, Don Gardner."

april 11 post

2008-04-11T10:14:00.001-07:00

Lots of "stuff" happening besides the loads of good P.R. that I want to keep you advised on.

I spoke to a chapter of the American Business Women here this week (a great bunch of women!) and was invited to participate with a talk and book signing in their upcoming "In Full Bloom" event May 18, 12:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Savannah. The afternoon of "celebration, honors, and awards" includes a Sunday Brunch, Spring Fling Fashion Show, a Silent and Live Auction (to include a signed copy of Then They All Got Naked), and live entertainment featuring the jazzy tunes of Robert Smith. It sounds absolutely fabulous and tickets for the entire event are only $25 (a dinner alone at the Hyatt is worth that!) and can be obtained by calling Wanda Meier at 912-660-8257, Joyce Prescott at 912-663-2920, or Carolyn Allen at 912-224-0405.

A talk about Waking Up Men scheduled April 17 for the Life Long Learners was cancelled due to space conflicts, but will be rescheduled and announced here when it is.

The next House Parties for Then They All Got Naked are set for April 22, at the home of Carol Saunders at The Landings, and Kris Edleman at Causton Bluff, May 1, and June 14^th at the home of Mary Anne Hogan in Wilmington Park.

These parties are an absolute blast and if you haven't signed up to hostess one yet, why not? All you need to do is get with me to set a date, invite all your bawdiest girlfriends, put out a tray of cookies and plug in the coffee pot. Call me!

I'll be signing books at the Corvette Show at the Lighthouse on Tybee Island the afternoon of May 3. There will be roughly one bazillion beautiful Corvettes there for you to drool over, plus live entertainments, eats, and a good-time-was-had-by-all atmosphere. There's a donation bucket to support the local children's hospital so y'all come, you hear?

I'm headed for NYC the week of May 11^th for book parties and signings. More details on that as things firm up.

And finally, on April 10, there was a blog post from G. Bovenizer in Co. Limerick, Ireland under the heading "polyamory" which was actually intended as a general post, so here it is:

"I thought the book "Then They All Got Naked" was absolutely fabulous! It read like the richest chocolate cake you could imagine. A deeply satisfying read all the way through to the very end. She made even the science bits funny and the steamy bits, oh heavens ."

polyamory

2008-04-09T12:20:00.001-07:00

To be fair, all the comments on the new book aren't wonderful.

I did have a letter from reader, Anita Wagner, who took me severely to task for my pejorative description of polyamory. While she agreed with some of my comments, she took exception to quotes I used and said my overview was a "caricature" of polyamory as it is today. I agreed that I had barely scratched the surface of such an interesting topic because my book is, after all, an observation of the activities (including overheard comments) that take place inside one Lifestyle swing club. But I do appreciate her comments and, because her letter was lengthy and very well written, I suggested she might consider tackling the writing of a book on the polyamory herself. I hope she does! I'll buy a copy.

blog post

2008-04-09T11:39:00.001-07:00

There was a wonderful book review a couple of weeks ago at www.ConnectSavannah.com that didn't get posted here (blame my blogging non-skills). You'll find it there now in the archives.

Savannah's "The Skinnie Magazine" Reviews Then They All Got Naked!

2008-04-08T17:27:00.001-07:00

A really nice write up by Savannah's "The Skinnie:"
http://www.theskinnie.com/Read.asp?ContentID=15

New Write-up for Then They All Got Naked

2008-04-06T12:12:00.001-07:00

Then They All Got Naked: What Really Happens Inside a "Lifestyle" Swing Club. O. Kay Jackson, Photography by Heather Swanson. Published by Press Works, Savannah, Georgia, 2008.

Reviewed by Carol Sanders

In a move from Georgia to the suburbs of New York, author O. Kay Jackson finds herself literally in the back yard of a swingers club. The club caters to married couples who are living the "Lifestyle" of trading partners. Jackson makes the most of the opportunity and takes a job as a cashier at the club, which results in this highly entertaining, thought-provoking book. In the some 20 years of knowing Jackson, I have never found her shy about asking questions, and I'm always entertained by her sharp eye for observing human nature and her resulting wry comments. This book doesn't disappoint. Her years of reporting come through in the writing, as do her opinions on life, love, politics and sex.

Upstairs at the Swing Shift, the name she gives to the club to protect the privacy of the participants, she "gets the skinny" from the owners and eavesdrops on more than a few guests. Among the most amusing parts of the book are the anecdotes on the sometimes preening, sometimes arguing, downtime behavior of the participating couples. Even thought the bedrooms are downstairs at the club, Jackson still gets an eyeful and an earful and takes the reader along for the ride. But somehow she uses all of this to create a book that is more about attitudes, conversations and observations in the non-sexual sense than about people "doing the do." The professional photos scattered throughout the text do titillate a bit but, alas for the voyeur, are photos of models, not actual guests.

Before the book was published, I traveled through the area and stopped to take Jackson to lunch. Our visit included a tour of the club during the day, including downstairs, where private rooms cater to various eclectic tastes. (In her book, Jackson does a terrific job of describing the rooms and hinting at the various fantasies they foster.) While swinging wouldn't be my cup of tea, given the possibilities of a situation turning ugly when dealing with sex, alcohol and other people's spouses, it was nice to know that there were safe places for people to practice this particular hobby. One might not want a club like this in the neighborhood, but Jackson explains how it is legal.

Much of the book is a behind-the-scenes account of running this very quirky weekend bed-and-breakfast, where "Sissy" (Sissy and Vince are the made-up names of the owners of the club) handles most of the hospitality part of the operation. The day of my visit, we met Sissy in the kitchen making chocolate chip cookies for the big Halloween party coming up Saturday night. I smiled at the irony of the situation and relaxed a little at how at home one might feel, at least upstairs. I even envisioned a sequel, a cookbook of recipes perhaps titled: Variety is the Spice of Life: Recipes to Serve Hoards of Horny Couples in the Lifestyle. Sissy says they won't eat soup. What do you serve and how much? Are beans on the menu? Garlic? Jackson tells just how hard it is planning, cooking for and cleaning up after the weekend shenanigans.

While I wasn't particularly interested in learning more about the "Lifestyle," I did take away a few important lessons from the book, such as the attitude that many of the women guests have about their own bodies. In a time when the media deluges us with images of thin, young faces and bodies, it is comforting to know that there is a whole group of woman who are neither thin nor young but, as Jackson relates, "have a rock-solid conviction of their own feminine worth."

Why men and women participate in the Lifestyle is an entirely different discussion that is well documented through conversations Jackson has with some of the guests. Some of the reasons are what one would expect, "more sex", "different partners," but there are also a few surprises. At least one couple was sent to the Lifestyle by their marriage counselor. It worked for them, and they subsequently gave up the marriage counselor. Two surprising points for me from the discussion were first, for whatever reason they join, many of the couples at the club appreciate the friendly atmosphere that is not all about sex and second, the word "respect" is often used among the couples to define the treatment they expect and receive.

Some things in life remain a mystery—understanding our fellow travelers in the world is often part of that mystery. One of the best chapters is at the end, where Jackson has a conversation with herself and reflects that "a non-swinger will never understand the degree of sexual curiosity and desire that drives a person to the Lifestyle."

I admit I was one of the people Jackson quotes in the book who, upon hearing her subject, said it was all a bit "tacky." Now, after reading this mind-opening book which is a meditation on sex through the ages, marriages and morals with delicious stories weaving the ideas together, I probably wouldn't be so quick to judge. And I definitely have more respect and gratitude for those who run bed-and-breakfast establishments of all kinds. I am now more compassionate and understanding of people making choices that they believe are right for them. I learned a lot from this book, and, in the end, isn't that what reading is all about?

Savannah Daily News - Then They All Got Naked

2008-04-04T12:20:00.000-07:00

...this review just in from Savannah Daily News Business Report:
http://savdailynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=14&SubSectionID=177&ArticleID=14788

March News!

2008-03-03T11:58:00.000-08:00

It’s now March and copies of Then They All Got Naked are at long last available here at the okayjackson.com website, And also at E. Shaver’s Booksellers in downtown Savannah…
At Davis Produce on Highway 80 on the way to Tybee Island …
And at Kristina’s Skin Solutions on Wilmington Island …

On Saturday, March 22, beginning at 1 p.m., there will be a book signing for Then They All Got Naked at E. Shaver’s Booksellers at 326 Bull Street in downtown Savannah. Be sure and attend if you can – and bring all your friends!

The first “book sale party” is scheduled for March 8 at the home of Kathy Haeberle in Savannah. Kathy and her daughter, Christy, sent out lovely invitations to the event. Another book sale party will be held at 7:30 p.m. March 13 at the home of Milree Calhoun on Wilmington Island. On March 27 I’ll be making a talk on “Women’s Intuition” to a women’s group at The Landings in Savannah. There are three other book parties in homes scheduled for the end of March and other talks and parties are scheduled for April 10, 12, and 24.

Don’t miss out on the fun. Call me at 912-786-4689 and schedule a party of your own. All that’s required is a home or garden to hostess it in, coffee and cookies or wine and cheese, and friends who will enjoy a bawdy girl’s night out as much as you will. Your hostess gift will be a signed copy of Then They All Got Naked, the book we’re gathering to talk about.

In late February I put a copy of the new book into the mail to Oprah and another to Dr. Phil, which is kind of like buying a ticket on the lottery – but people DO win the lottery sometimes. I figure it can happen for me just as easily!

My earlier book, Waking Up Men, is still in the design phase on the reprint, but little by slowly we’re getting closer to the reprint date. Meanwhile, I have a very few copies left of the first edition still available for those who want them. Order them here at the website.

And the last week of March is family time for Clan Jackson as son Forrest and his Laura fly in from Seattle, daughter Georgia Helen flies in from Ireland, Delton, Cathryn, Joshua and Elliot arrive from England, Heather and Stan fly south from New York City, and Margy and Hank, and Clay, Susanne, Ian and Jordan drive to Tybee Island from the hinterlands of Georgia. Tybee Island hasn’t seen this particular crowd gathered here in many a year!

Fun Rules!

Okay's First Blog!!!!!

2008-01-16T15:49:00.001-08:00

Hiya – and welcome to my blog where I hope to be able to keep you up to date with all my current exciting happenings - and to stay in touch with YOU. The BIG news is, I've just finished the final proofing on my new book, Then They All Got Naked, and it goes to press next week. I'll have books in hand by mid-February so get ready to make your order … and prepare to fasten your seatbelts – it's a wild read!

The second printing of /Waking Up Men, /with a new prologue and epilogue, will go to press in March and those books will be available sometime in April. I have a new marketing plan to kick start new sales that I'll be talking about here as the re-launch date gets closer.

I have several speaking engagements about the books coming up in February and March and just as soon as I can figure out how to make a calendar here at the blog site I'll start posting that information for you.

Heather Swanson - the NYC photographer who shot the wonderful photographs for my new book, has set aside the week of May 11 th to pick a date for a New York launch of Then They All Got Naked. Watch for details here as the plans jell – and make a note to attend if you can. It's going to be FUN!!!

The Savannah debut for the new book will take place at a series of launch parties starting in late February. Dates and places are being locked in now, so again – check back here for details. And if you want to host a party, let me know and we'll work out a date!

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2008-01-07T09:32:00.001-08:00

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2008-01-06T22:20:00.000-08:00

This is a test by the webmaster.