Jackson McKenzie
The winner of the 2008 Memphis magazine Fiction Contest, Jackson McKenzie was born five miles from the Mississippi River in West-Central Illinois during the Ford Administration. An only child, he moved with his mother to West Tennessee in the winter of 1983. After graduating from high school, he boarded a Greyhound for Venice, California, where he slept on the beach and played surf music on his ukulele. Tired of being broke and homeless, he hitchhiked back to the Mid-South, working as a porter before forming a short-lived punk band. After an honorable discharge from the U. S. Marines, he completed his undergraduate education at Southern Illinois — Carbondale and briefly attended the MFA Program at the University of Memphis before pursuing life as a dishwasher in Paris, Tennessee. There he currently writes fiction and lives with his wife, Mary, her Yorkie, Buster Douglas, and a cat, Kotter. "Tim Bui Blues" is his first publication. You may reach him at jacksonmckenzie@gmail.com.
Robin Eley
Illustrator Robin Eley's work has graced the covers of magazines worldwide, been featured in television and billboard campaigns and will soon be seen in his first major picture book release. In the three years since completing his studies, he has amassed a formidable list of clients including Time magazine, the Wall Street Journal, the Village Voice and Disney. His work has been commended by the Society of Illustrators as well as Communication Arts and his first solo exhibition, "Out of Context", was an award-winning sellout. While the bulk of his work is done for American clients, his studio is in Adelaide, South Australia, where he lives with his fiancée, Rachel.
Alicia George
Fashion stylist Alicia George has numerous magazine editorials, television commercials, music videos, short and feature-length films, fashion photo shoots, and advertisements under her belt. This is her fourth year working with Memphis, and we hope not her last. Along with these commercial projects, Alicia enjoys styling private clients, has one of the most contagious laughs we've ever heard, and is a whiz with liquid eyeliner.
Allison Wells
This month's cover model Allison Wells is a native Memphian. She came to Elzemeyer Talent Agency a few months ago and is delighted to be jumping off her modeling career with Memphis magazine. Elzemeyer Talent Agency is a full-service agency supplying clients with their modeling, acting, promotional, and voiceover needs, and we're happy to let the agency know that their newest client is indeed quite nice. Nothing naughty about her.
