Local Author Jessica Elisheva Emerson Illuminates Women’s Desire and Agency at Book Festivals

Tucson’s own Jessica Elisheva Emerson has recently garnered attention with her debut novel, “Olive Days,” released last September. Despite her busy life as a writer, playwright, and poet, she has opted for decaf coffee, a choice she made years ago while still enjoying its rich flavor, particularly with half and half.

Emerson’s accolades include the Great Lakes College Association New Writers Award and a spot on the longlist for the Reading the West Award. She’s also a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize’s Art Seidenbaum Award For First Fiction. Alongside juggling her full-time job, she is currently working on her second novel and has plans for a third. This year, Emerson will showcase her work at the Tucson Festival of Books, participating in two panels and leading a writing workshop.

“I value stories about women evolving and discovering themselves,” Emerson commented. “Olive Days” centers on Rina, a woman from the Los Angeles Orthodox Jewish community. The narrative explores her conflict between personal desires and traditional duties, culminating in a complicated romance with a married instructor during a painting class.

Emerson observed, “Rina is surrounded by women but lacks meaningful friendships, which significantly hinders her ability to process her life.” This theme reveals the dense community ties contrasted with the protagonist’s isolation—a central challenge in her journey.

Originally from Tucson, Emerson resided in Los Angeles for over two decades before returning to her roots. “I navigate both identities between Los Angeles and the Sonoran Desert,” she noted, reflecting on her rich life experiences.

At the Tucson Festival of Books, Emerson will first speak on the panel “Unveiling Desire” on March 15 at 2:30 p.m. The discussion will include topics of women’s relationships and autonomy, a perfect fit given Emerson’s focus on women’s experiences in her writing.

The second panel, “Paths Taken: Women’s Lives, Choices, and Legacies,” is scheduled for March 16 at 11:30 a.m., where she will explore transformative decisions women make—both in literature and life.

On March 16 at 4:30 p.m., Emerson will also lead a workshop titled “Learn Good Steamy Writing,” focusing on sex in literary fiction. She aims to demystify women’s desire, advocating for its respectful portrayal in literature.

Emerson emphasized the need for more stories that showcase women’s agency: “We need to honor women’s desire and shift perceptions from women as merely desirable to women possessing desire.”

Currently, Emerson is developing her second novel in Los Angeles and a third set in the Sonoran Desert. She has noted a distinct difference in her writing pace since moving back to Tucson, attributing it to the city’s unique creative environment. “The inhospitable climate fosters intentionality in daily life, making it a rich landscape for creativity,” she remarked, celebrating the vibrant surroundings of her creative hometown.