Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Jason W. Blair is primarily a suspense/thriller novelist. He lives in the rural town of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania with his wife, Judith, and his daughter, Samantha. He recently released his fifth book, “The Legend of All Things Unwanted”. However, unlike his previous works, his latest book is categorized as a Juvenile Adventure/Fantasy novel.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Mr. Blair’s latest novel, which debuted on March 25, 2018, is a Juvenile Adventure/Fantasy novel entitled, “The Legend of All Things Unwanted”. It is a story of a nine-year-old boy named Max McKee who loses a precious gift from his visiting Uncle Patrick and awakens an ancient Irish legend. Fearing the worst, Max flees from the schoolyard and into the forest, where he stumbles into a mysterious black-shrouded man who leads young Max on a marvelous journey through an unknown world (The Place of All Things Unwanted) full of dragons, faeries, witches, wizardry, elves, gnomes, and a brave breed of fuzzy, horned, ankle biting creatures called Morlaes. On his quest for the missing gift, Max learns much about courage, bravery, honor, and friendship. This book is inspired by everyone who has ever lost something and wondered where on Earth (or perhaps beyond) has it gone?
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not necessarily. I did when I first began novel writing a few years back. The most important element of writing, I believe, is coffee. You can never have too much, but a lack of it produces empty pages.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Looking back on the writing of this latest novel, I feel that many authors and countless books have contributed to the creation of this extraordinary tale. Of them, I believe that “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis, “The Fairy Rebel” by Lynn Reid Banks, and the motion picture “The Labyrinth” featuring the late, great David Bowie had the most impact on how the story turned out.
What are you working on now?
I currently have several projects before me that I’m attempting to decide upon. The first is an anthology of suspenseful tales entitled, “Shadows of Route 22”, the second is the conclusion of the Desperate Shadows Trilogy: “Patriots of the Revolution”, and the third is a thriller novel entitled, “Writer’s Block”.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
First and foremost is, of course, Awesomegang.com! Apart from that, I tend to promote on major social media platforms above all. Some others include fellow bloggers, TheAuthorShow.com, press releases, and Appearances on video sharing websites (ie. Youtube).
Do you have any advice for new authors?
The two most important things to remember in starting a career in writing is:
1) You must learn to endure rejection. It will come to you in many forms, but it will come, nevertheless.
2) Overnight success will never happen. In fact, it takes years to build your platform, your brand of writing. However, if you wake up thinking of writing, and you go about your day thinking of writing, and you fall asleep thinking of writing, then you are truly destined for it. You see, each of us who are called do not choose to be writers; but rather, the gift of writing chooses us. And it is with that gift that we can bring smiles to the faces of readers worldwide.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You try. You fail. You try. You fail. But the only true failure is when you stop trying.”
— Madame Leota, “The Haunted Mansion” (2003)
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Michael Crichton’s best-selling novel, “Next”.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have several writing projects lined up; it’s just a matter of which one to choose. Additionally, I am working on a PC adventure game, and either a Pod-Play (modern radio show) series or an animated web series. I haven’t committed to either yet.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible, Michael Crichton’s “Timeline”, and Charles Dickens’s “David Copperfield”.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jason Blair Amazon Profile
Jason Blair’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile