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I have no idea how to properly capture these thoughts and feelings, but here goes…

Right now I exist in a state of disbelief. The operating system of my brain has crashed. It’s just a blue screen refusing to comprehend anything, while my body smiles and laughs and shakes hands and my mouth says “Thanks! I still can’t believe it.” I’m sure that’ll all settle down eventually. But for now, I’m enjoying the dissonance.

Last night we won one of the biggest awards in writing. I’m happy. It’s as simple as that.

Someone asked why I use the pronoun “We” when talking about this win. I say “We” because even though my name is on the book, I did not create it alone. Even beyond the editorial help of my agent, editor, and select others, Hell Of A Book—like every other good thing in my life—only came into being because of the people around me. The friends and family who not only sustain my life, but enrich it. This win is theirs as well.

It takes a village to raise a child, and I am still somebody’s child.

I am still a part of a village, so I thank my village.

I would like to pause here, briefly, to send love, respect, gratitude, and admiration to fellow finalist Robert Jones Jr. I have only known him for a few weeks and, even then, only through the much-maligned conduit that is social media. But within that time and even through that flawed medium, his light is visible. He and I spoke through Twitter a few weeks back saying “There is no competition here. If you win, I win. If I win, you win.” We both meant it. So, by my math, this win is his as well. He is part of the “We.” I stand in awe of his talent and look forward to his future works.

Go buy and read The Prophets right now. Dude’s a beast!

For brevity’s sake, I’ll wrap up here. Thank you for your love, support, and readership. Also, if anyone knows how to make it happen, please let Nic Cage know that a diehard fan and National Book Award winner wants to meet him one day and maybe be gifted that pink leather jacket of his. Or, if you can’t make that happen, please just tell him Jason Mott says hello and wishes him well.

Deepest Gratitude,

Jason Mott

National Book Award Winner, Outsider, and forever one of those goddamn Mad Kids

The Associated Press has just learned of a bizarre (and still ongoing) feud between author of THE RETURNED, Jason Mott, and RESURRECTION star Kurtwood Smith. According to reports, the conflict began roughly one year ago when Mr. Mott traveled to Atlanta to watch filming of the pilot for RESURRECTION. On his last night in Atlanta, while having dinner with the cast members, an argument started between the actor and the author which ended with the 35 year-old author being knocked unconscious by the 70 year-old actor. (more…)

I’m very pleased to announce that The Returned has landed on the New York Times Bestseller List!  I’m pretty floored by the news.  Just wanted to take a second to say thanks to everyone that has helped make this dream come true.

-jason mott

This wonderful thing happened today! Wow! 😀

By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY

Leave it to a poet to bring beauty and soul to the well-trodden undead genre.

Jason Mott’s impressive debut novel, The Returned, is a tense and touching treatise on life, death and life again, centered on an aging couple dealing with the resurrection of their 8-year-old boy nearly 50 years after he drowned in a river. (more…)

The first book trailer for The Returned.  🙂

I’m very excited to share that Entertainment Weekly has listed me on their “New Hollywood: Next Wave. 10 People to Watch” list!  I can hardly believe it.  Honored to be counted among such amazing talent!

Here’s a link to the article: Entertainment Weekly

-j

I’m incredibly excited to announce that The Returned has achieved a sweep of the trade publications by grabbing starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus Review, Booklist, and now Library Journal!  I’m in a fair amount of disbelief, but thrilled all the same.  The review from Library Journal is posted below.

What if the dead came back to us on Earth? Would your loved one’s reappearance be a blessing or a curse? All over the world, people are spontaneously rising from the dead. For Harold and Lucille Hargrave this occurrence brings the return of their son Jacob, dead 50 years. While they have aged and must relearn how to parent, Jacob is still eight years old. Lucille sees this as a miracle; the void in her life has been filled. For others, Harold included, the returned inspire nothing but confusion and fear, ultimately leading to violence. As the world explodes into chaos and neighbors turn on one another, the Hargraves find themselves fighting for their new life and discovering the ties that permanently bind us across time and space. VERDICT This is a masterly first novel for Mott, previously a published poet; it speaks to many aspects of the human condition through the Hargraves’ experience, as well as short segments in the voices of returned people around the globe. Highly recommended for those who love a strong story that makes them think. It has already been optioned for television by Brad Pitt’s production company.

—Katie Lawrence, Chicago

An interview my editor and I did at BEA where we talk about THE RETURNED and other things. If you couldn’t be at BEA, this is almost as good. 🙂