Page 80 - Novelist Post – J.D. Barker and more

Bridging Worlds Through Story, Symbol, and Spirit
William J. Jackson discusses blending fiction and scholarship, exploring Indian Bhakti traditions, visual archetypes, and generosity, while reflecting on a life enriched by culture, teaching, spiritual insight, and creative freedom.
WEAVES CULTURE, MYTH, AND MEANING ACROSS FICTION AND SCHOLARSHIP
“Only the impossible is worth pursuing.”
Was told to Carine O'Leary London
In this interview, William J. Jackson shares reflections on his unique literary journey—across genres, cultures, and decades—and offers rich insight into how lived experience, spiritual inquiry, and artistic passion can shape a truly origi-
illiam J. Jackson is a rare kind of writer—one who bridges continents, centuries, and genres with both intel- lectual rigor and artistic imagination. His work is at once scholarly and
soul-stirring, deeply rooted in cultural understanding yet soaring with lyrical vision. Whether exploring the devotional songs of South Indian saints or crafting viv- id characters in novels set by the Mississippi or Kaveri rivers, Jackson writes with the insight of a philosopher, the heart of a storyteller, and the eye of an artist.
80 II NOVELIST POST
WILLIAMJ. JACKSON
His books—ranging from Tyagaraja and the Renewal of Tradition to Gypsy Escapades and The Wisdom of Gene- rosity—are vibrant tapestries where history, spirituality, humor, and humanity are skillfully interwoven. Readers step into his stories and studies not as passive observers but as fellow seekers, drawn into a world alive with archetypes, music, mystery, and meaning. A lifelong student of religion, language, and the creative process, Jackson continues to challenge conventions while inviting us to see more deeply and generously.