Stephen Walters

Hi Jackson,

I’ve always believed that every book begins with a spark, a thought, a memory, sometimes even a question that refuses to let go. When I came across The Black Jellybeans, it felt like one of those rare stories that carries both imagination and heart. As Maya Angelou said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” Yours feels like one that truly needed to be told.

The way you wove humor, historical texture, and the mystical into Jim Eberton’s world, especially against the backdrop of 1906 Baltimore, genuinely resonated with me. It’s not just an inventive historical story; it’s a clever, layered reflection on identity, class, and humanity, all wrapped in your signature wit.

Warmly,

Stephen

****

Clara J Sinclair

Dear Jackson Tel,

I recently came across The Black Jellybeans – Episode One, and what immediately captured my attention was the daring clarity of its premise and its historical courage. Set in 1906 Jim Crow–era Baltimore, your story confronts one of the most volatile questions of the time and of American history itself: identity. Jim Eberton’s discovery that he is part Black is not treated as a twist for shock value, but as a seismic revelation that forces both personal reckoning and social collision. From the very first pages, the novel establishes itself as bold, purposeful, and unafraid.

What makes this opening episode especially compelling is how you anchor profound thematic weight within urgent, moment-to-moment stakes. Jim is not afforded the luxury of contemplation. As heir to a powerful family fortune, he must secure a critical investment from rye whiskey tycoon Craig “Money Bags” Bigg or face immediate financial collapse. The ticking clock of the afternoon deadline creates narrative propulsion, while the cascade of disruption, the missing chauffeur, the delayed motorcar, the absent caterers, and the scrutiny of the Baltimore police mirrors Jim’s internal unraveling. Order, privilege, and certainty are slipping away all at once.

The brilliance of Episode One lies in this dual tension: external chaos and internal awakening. Jim’s meticulous planning and social standing cannot shield him from a society rigidly structured by race, nor from the question echoing at the center of the book: Who am I truly? By placing this question within the unforgiving realities of Jim Crow Baltimore, you transform identity into a matter of survival, reputation, and power. The story feels theatrical yet intimate, historical yet urgently modern, making it especially resonant for readers drawn to socially conscious historical fiction.

As the first installment in The Black Jellybeans, this episode functions exactly as a strong opening should: it establishes tone, stakes, and moral direction while compelling readers to continue.

Warm regards,

Clara J. Sinclair

****

Rachel C. Warren

Hi Jackson,

Some books take themselves very seriously. Others invite you in, hand you a jellybean, and say, “Come along, this will be strange and wonderful.” The Black Jellybeans (Episode One) felt very much like the second kind.

What caught me wasn’t just the 1890s Baltimore setting — though that’s richly alive — but the wit threaded through it all. The way humor, history, and humanity coexist without canceling each other out. Jim Eberton’s restless pull toward freedom, the quirky digressions, the voice, it all feels like a story that wants to be talked about, not just read quietly and shelved.

I kept thinking this would spark fantastic book club conversations, especially for readers who love historical fiction that doesn’t behave exactly as it’s “supposed” to.

Your episodic format and whimsical tone feel like a natural fit for literary and historical fiction book clubs, readers who enjoy humor woven into history, groups that love character, voice, and thoughtful detours, and clubs that enjoy reading something a little unexpected

Either way, thank you for writing something so inventive — my mental “1890s Baltimore” now has jellybeans in it.

Warmly,

Rachel

P.S. I have a feeling this is one of those stories readers finish and immediately say, “Okay, let’s talk about that.”

****

Ashley Vasquez

Hi Mr. Tel,

Your book, The Black Jellybeans: Episode One, immediately caught my attention. The witty, whimsical storytelling, the historical depth, and the sharp humor create a world that feels both nostalgic and delightfully unpredictable. Jim Eberton’s journey in 1906 Baltimore, his complicated secrets, and the colorful cast around him make this opening episode not just entertaining but remarkably thought-provoking.

****

Mary Sophia. Allen

Dear Jackson,

I spent time with The Black Jellybeans EPISODE ONE, and what immediately stands out is how the story treats historical fiction not as solemn reenactment, but as a playground for wit, perspective, and surprise. The narrative balances historical context with whimsical twists, creating a rhythm that is both playful and insightful.

What works particularly well is how the humor enhances rather than overshadows the story. The episodic format allows characters and events to breathe, giving readers space to appreciate the absurdities, eccentricities, and unexpected juxtapositions of the period. The blend of narrative structure, historical detail, and comedic timing keeps the story lively, while still engaging with themes of human behavior and societal quirks.

Based on the story and structure, these elements feel especially strong:

Historical Context as Canvas:

The past is vividly rendered, giving events weight, even when humor is at play. Playful Perspective: whimsy and wit invite readers to see the familiar in unexpected ways. Character-Driven Comedy: Humor emerges naturally from the personalities, choices, and interactions of the cast. Episodic Momentum: The serialized structure maintains engagement while layering narrative depth and amusement.

Taken together, The Black Jellybeans EPISODE ONE reads as a cleverly balanced historical story that entertains, enlightens, and surprises. It trusts readers to navigate humor and history together, creating a unique reading experience that is both reflective and delightfully irreverent.

Warm regards

Mary Sophia Allen

****

Stephanie Cruzeiro

Hi Jackson

The Black Jellybeans EPISODE ONE completely threw me. I braced myself for the usual historical fiction tropes, the overly serious tone, dusty period details, the “we must learn a lesson from history” vibe, but instead, you delivered something unexpectedly whimsical and almost mischievous. That mix of historical grounding and playful, clever storytelling isn’t easy to pull off, and yet you nailed it. I found myself smiling, nodding along, and honestly, a little impressed that a serial novel could sneak in charm, humor, and heart without feeling like a gimmick.

Stephanie

****

cleardark

★★★★★ Whimsical Historical Fiction!

in the United States on November 25, 2025

Kindle

A richly textured world where 1890s Baltimore leaps off the page—complete with corsets, cyclones, and counterfeit gold mines—while anchoring the chaos in the deeply human story of Jim Eberton, a reluctant heir chasing freedom on two wheels. The prose crackles with wit, from Nelly’s burlesque banter to Benny’s curmudgeonly engineering wisdom, and every digression (be it a Confederate crow-feather quill or a shipboard birth at the dawn of the 20th century) is a delightful rabbit hole worth tumbling down. By turns hilarious, poignant, and wildly inventive, this episodic gem leaves you hungry for the next installment, jellybean-black tongue and all.

****

Anna Williams

Dear Jackson Tel,

Congratulations on The Black Jellybeans EPISODE ONE, the opening installment of your serial novel. The work immediately distinguishes itself through its confident blend of historical fiction and whimsical storytelling, a combination that feels intentional, controlled, and deeply rooted in narrative voice.

What stands out most is the tone. You bring a playful sensibility to historical fiction without diminishing its texture or emotional weight. That balance is difficult to achieve, yet here it feels natural and assured, drawing readers into a world that is both familiar and slightly askew in the best possible way. The result is a reading experience that feels inviting while still rewarding close attention.

As the first entry in the series, The Black Jellybeans EPISODE ONE does an excellent job of establishing atmosphere and curiosity rather than rushing toward resolution. This restraint reflects an author who understands pacing, reader trust, and the long view of storytelling qualities that are especially valuable in serial fiction. Readers who appreciate character-driven narratives with charm and personality are likely to recognize that care immediately.

Having worked closely with independent authors who prioritize craft, professionalism, and thoughtful presentation, I pay particular attention to books that know exactly what they are and who they are written for. Your work reflects a clear creative identity, and that clarity is one of its strongest assets.

Historical fiction with a whimsical edge is a space where voice matters more than spectacle, and The Black Jellybeans EPISODE ONE succeeds because it leans into that truth with confidence. It’s a distinctive opening that invites readers to settle in and stay with the story.

Warm regards,
Anna Williams
Book Marketing Strategist

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