Throughout his life, author Bruce R. Jackson has tried many different occupations. Now, after many other various projects, Jackson has authored and illustrated a published novel, “The Texoma Horror,” the first of the Culigma series.

Jackson began his journey with Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1982. He graduated in Dec. 2002 after enrolling again in 1999 and now holds various degrees in Communications, Fine Arts and Commercial Art. In 2000, Jackson served as a writer for The Southeastern. He published many articles and even created an entertainment section.

Before college, Jackson claimed writing was not even in the cards for him. He said he did not know he had any writing skills until others helped bring it out of him. Now, he wakes up every morning, seven days a week, and writes— even when he doesn’t want to.

Before his writing career, Jackson worked a variety of jobs. He has broadcasted on radio, painted signs for businesses and was even a certified chef at one point. He also served in the U.S. Navy in 1985 and qualified as a Religious Program Specialist.

“All the way through my life I’ve been an artist,” Jackson proclaimed.

Through the years, Jackson was a journalist for several newspapers including the Bryan County Star, Tuesday Morning Post and the Durant Daily Democrat. He won many awards for his work through the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists. One of these included a feature cartoon award for his work called “Chance Drifter.”

Besides “The Texoma Horror,” Jackson is currently working on several other books. One is an untitled retelling of “Chance Drifter,” and another is a science fiction horror novel. He is also working on a prequel to “The Texoma Horror” called “Shearer Insanity,” which he hopes to be released by the end of 2021.

Jackson stated that his wife inspired his writing the Culigma series by telling him to use his knowledge in his writing and suggesting he could “warn some people about the things that go bump in the night.’”

The series is based on real events, but according to Jackson it is up to the reader to determine what is factual or fictional. “The true horror is when you discover how close to the truth my stories really are,” he revealed on his Goodreads blog.

Copies of “The Texoma Horror” are available on Amazon.