Jessica Cage is an international award winning- and USA Today-bestselling author of speculative fiction and urban fantasy novels. Her Accidents Happen series is a collection of urban romantasy stories following powerful, witty women as they navigate supernatural twists and unexpected love. Her next installment in the series, I Accidentally Locked Down a Witch, is coming this May.
Publishing since 2010, Cage has made a name for herself in indie publishing through consistent efforts and organic growth of her platform. The author of over 40 fiction novels and 20 short stories published in different anthologies, she continues to produce stories that give representation to marginalized communities in fantasy landscapes.
We talked with the author about healthy representations of Black women in romance, balancing fantasy and humor with emotional depth, and how a Tik Tok video changed everything for her.
What first inspired your Accidents Happen series, and why do you think these stories have resonated so strongly with readers?
Oddly enough, TikTok. I did a series of videos where I created short stories based off of a five-second video from another creator. And I started making those stories humorous because I wanted to test the waters with my audience and see if they would be open to that kind of content from me. They were immediately on board and requested more of the content. And it took off from there.
You’ve spoken about prioritizing healthy representations of Black women in romance. Why is that important to you, and what does it mean for Black readers?
I wanted to showcase that love can be expressed in so many different ways. And that it might not look the same or even happen the same for each of us. Also, I wanted to get away from the stigma of struggle love. That it needs to be hard or filled with strife in order to be true. Each of the women expresses and experiences love in different ways, but they all get to have healthy and balanced expressions of that. Black women deserve that balance. They deserve to have a healthy space that allows them to be soft and vulnerable when they need to be. Seeing that play out in our stories plants the seeds of belief that we can have that in our real lives.
How do you balance the humor and fantasy in your stories with the emotional depth of vulnerability, love, and growth?
Through well kept world building notes! I’ve studied each of the subgenres that I blend into my fantasies and through understanding how they work and what they require to be successful, it’s made it easier to find a balance where nothing takes over the story but they all blend and help build the fantasy the way I truly want to express it. It’s something that has happened over years of practice. Trial and error. But having that initial understanding of what audiences want to see from those subgenres has made the execution a lot easier to achieve.
What draws you to combining the magical with the everyday in urban fantasy, and why do you think readers are increasingly embracing the genre?
I love the idea that my everyday life could suddenly turn magical, and I think that’s exactly why it’s gaining traction. I don’t need to go to another world for a spell to bring a hunky demon to my door. Or to bump into a vampire at my friend’s party. It sprinkles something amazing into the mundane. Readers are looking for that escape and to reconnect with that inner wonder. It’s like being a kid again. A piece of paper wasn’t just something to write on. It could be a bracelet, an airplane, anything with just a little imagination.
When I first started writing, my tagline for my work was, “Life just needs a little fantasy!” I think that’s what this genre is bringing readers. And oddly, it’s giving them hope that something magical can change everything.
You have an exciting lineup of book events across the country this year! What do you love about meeting readers face-to-face, and which stop are you most excited for?
I love the readers! I mean, as an introvert, events are draining, but it is so worth it to see the people who have supported me through the years. And now most often they are screaming, “booty juice” at me because of that demon boyfriend! I’m absolutely looking forward to them all. But honestly, I think Book Harvest takes the lead because it’s in my home city, Chicago. And I love any reason to be able to go home again!
What’s the biggest “accidental” twist you’ve experienced in your own writing career, and how did it shape you as an author?
In 2020 I posted a video on TikTok and it took off! And that changed everything! Because suddenly I realized there was a new way to market, and I took advantage of that. I didn’t expect the video to take off. I was just following a trend. But it did, and from one video, I made five figures in sales. That accident led to so many new and amazing things in my career and showed me that there are so many more paths to success than I ever considered possible.
How important is creative freedom to you, and how has indie publishing allowed you to tell stories you might not have been able to otherwise?
It is the most important thing to me. When I set off to publish I was determined to present my stories and characters in a way that felt authentic, and for that reason I never pursued traditional publishing because I knew that with that, it could come with restrictions I didn’t want for my work.
Indie publishing has allowed me to stay true to my work and to my reason for writing stories. It has also opened so many more doors for me because I was able to build my platform authentically to the vision I had for myself.
What practices or habits help you recharge and spark creativity when inspiration isn’t flowing?
I paint while listening to audiobooks. It’s such a relaxing experience and allows me to consume stories without being too analytical about it. My hands are busy so my mind can just consume and enjoy and take inspiration from the work.
What excites you about telling stories through the lens of mature FMCs (Female Main Characters), and how does their life experience shape the depth and nuance of your work?
There are enough stories about twenty-somethings. My audience has aged up, so the characters should too. It also opens up conversations about womanhood past 27. All the changes in our bodies, our mentalities, and even our careers. I’m enjoying exploring characters who have lived through enough to know better but still sometimes slip up. The way they bounce back is so different and almost therapeutic to write.
What can you tell us about your upcoming release I Accidentally Locked Down a Witch?
First, it is the last book in the main storyline for the Accidents Happen series. There has been a thread pulling through all the books, and this one ties it off. Likosa has been a fan favorite, and now readers will get to know all about her and follow her love story. This is a WLW (Women Loving Women) story that is full of vulnerability and womanhood. I am so excited for readers to get the story but a little sad to see it all end. But we aren’t completely done with the characters from the story.
Catch up on Jessica’s hilarious urban romantasy Accidents Happen series where everyday life collides with supernatural chaos!
If an “accident” could happen in your own life that forced you into magical chaos, what kind of supernatural being would you want to encounter?
A dragon, because I’m convinced I could get them to take me on a ride!
If you could sit down with one of your characters for coffee, who would it be and why?
Jericha from I Accidentally Hired a Shadow Walker. I feel like we’re the same and now that she’s learned to trust and allow others to help her, I think she could help me do the same. I have a tight hold on so many areas in my life, and I’m learning (slowly) to let go. Also, I know she has the best recipes for tea blends, and I would love for her to make me a few.
