"It's never too late to live your dreams" is the central message of Stacey Jackson's upcoming book titled 'How A Gansta Rapper Made Me A Better Mom.' The multi-faceted talent that is Stacey Jackson enters a new world, a new medium for her do-er attitude. 

Similarly to her music, hit singles like 'Flipside,' 'Urgent' and 'Soldier,' Stacey Jackson uses her debut book 'How A Gangsta Rapper Made Me A Better Mom' to inspire self-love and living life to the fullest. 

ReVamp chats with Stacey Jackson, introduces her book, and explains how the conversation started in the first place. 

Your book ‘How A Gangsta Rapper Made Me A Better Mom’ will be soon available for a pre-order, how does it feel releasing a book compared to music?

Terrifying! But also extremely exciting! I’ve never written a book before but I hope that people will find it funny and hopefully inspirational. 

What made you want to write a book in the first place?

Loads of producers over the years have asked me to be on various reality TV shows. I supposed my story resonated with many people. But that was a hard “NO” for my husband and young kids at the time.  Someone suggested I just write a book — so, as a “do-er” kind of person — I wrote the book! But I’m also a creative and I thought by fictionalising the story it not only protects my real family, but it gave me a license to play up the characters and really define their stories. Especially the principal character, Stephanie, and her journey. 

Could you tell us more about the inspiration behind the book’s title?

Actually, it was one of my kids who came up with it!  It was so perfect because at the end of the day, the message behind the book is that you truly have to love yourself and be happy within yourself to be a good mom, partner, friend etc…. 

As a book writer and a book lover, what are some of the most important reads/books you recommend?

Grit By Angela Duckworth. Amazing book. She is a psychologist who says that the secret to success is not necessarily just talent - but passion, persistence and grit. 

For how long has the book been in the works?

I started writing it before Covid, and then when the book was finished, it was post Covid. So, my co-writer and I revisited the book with a “new perspective”.  We had it edited by veteran author Nancy Lamb, who gave us invaluable insight and help and then we had to shop it around for a publisher. So I’d say it’s been 4 and a half years from start to finish. 

Could you compare the writing process of a book with songwriting?

Ha ha ha! Two totally different things for me. I naturally hear melodies in my head, I have been since I was a kid. I write lyrics on napkins or on the back of my hand! It’s been a gift that I feel I was blessed with. Writing a book though was a whole new prospect for me. But I am so fortunate that I have a dear friend, Ruth Elkins who is a former journalist at the Times and a recent editor at Mail Online who teamed up with me to tell my story.  

What sort of message do you hope to send with your book?

That it is never too late to live your dreams! 

Going through the process of writing a book, would you want to continue with more books in the future?

This book is actually planned as part of a trilogy. But it’s also a musical book. So when the audiobook comes out, a full musical soundtrack that I wrote will be integrated in the story. And those who have already purchased the physical book, will be able to obtain the entire soundtrack for free through a QR code at the back of the book. So, you never know what other projects this book could lead to in the future! First things first though! 

If someone could play the main character in a movie, who would it be?

My dream? Probably Reese Witherspoon, Hannah Waddingham or Kristin Chenoweth. It’s because they would have to sing of course! And any one of those talent actresses would nail it!

Grab your copy of 'How A Gangsta Rapper Made Me A Better Mom' here.

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