Jessica Harlow Lane writes upmarket, character-driven historical fiction centering the rich, often-overlooked stories of Black Southern families. Her debut novel, The Lady of Kimbrough Court, was shaped by the stories and photographs shared with her by her grandmother, extensive research of the Alab
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Jessica Harlow Lane writes upmarket, character-driven historical fiction centering the rich, often-overlooked stories of Black Southern families. Her debut novel, The Lady of Kimbrough Court, was shaped by the stories and photographs shared with her by her grandmother, extensive research of the Alabama Black Belt, and her mentorship under Deesha Philyaw at the 2026 Rosemary’s House Writing Retreat in Nikiti, Greece. The book follows a young girl's coming-of-age journey in Dayton, Alabama. Jessica was born and raised in Alabama, where she resides with her husband, writing to the rhythmic backdrop of buzzing cicadas.