New Blog – Jason, the novel, is here!

Dec 02, 2014

Today is the official on sale date for my latest book, Jason! It’s the newest Anita Blake novel, and the first original paperback since Micah, thus the title being the name of one of the leading characters in the book. My publisher and I are very into naming conventions. Before you ask, yes, I do have ideas for other short novels featuring other major, or even minor-major characters in Anita’s universe, but currently I’m finishing up the next hardback original for Anita and the gang, Dead Ice.

In fact, Dead Ice woke me at 5:20 this morning according to Spike, who is as light a sleeper as I am, so he was very aware when I tried to creep out of bed and not wake anyone else. Genevieve and Jon usually sleep very soundly, but I learned at lunch that even they knew when I got out of bed. One of the unforeseen downsides of being polyamorous is that when ideas wake you up at odd hours you disturb more people. Or maybe that’s a downside of sleeping with a writer, regardless of your relationship style.

The book was very loud in my head, I knew exactly what came next and exactly how to write the scene. I’d gone to bed knowing what came next, but not how to get from A to B, and suddenly I woke in the dark and I knew. I also knew I couldn’t wait to get to the computer and start typing it. I’ve learned that when inspiration knocks that loudly you need to answer it quickly, because otherwise you end up knowing you had this great idea, or the perfect way to work this scene, but now you can’t remember most of it, just a vague sense you lost the wave that would have carried you further in the book. I hate that feeling, so I was typing before dawn, trying to keep up with my muse. We’d done 12 pages yesterday, so to be this pumped again today was a very good sign that the book is gaining momentum.

I’m happiest as a writer when I’m writing fast. I joke that I write as if the monsters really are chasing me and if I hesitate too long they’ll catch me. For all of you reading this that are wondering why I didn’t give myself a day off to enjoy Jason coming out, well first, I spent many years on tour for every book. It sort of conditioned me that I didn’t get the on sale date off, and in fact traveling across the country to promote a book can be pretty grueling. My record for grueling is still 26 cities in 28 days, that book tour still lives in infamy for Jon and myself, because he traveled with me on every last day of it. We hadn’t met Genevieve and her husband, Spike, at that point.

It is a wonderful thing for a publisher to spend money to send a writer on a book tour, it really is. But I’ve done my time and it’s a blessing to stay home, too. Thanks to the internet there are so many ways to promote your book now that don’t make you get on a plane to travel the country. Because if we were on tour for Jason, I wouldn’t be writing on Dead Ice. I can write on planes, while I try to pretend that I’m not flying (Yes, I shared my fear of flying with Anita), but I lose the thread of a book when I tour. I know some writers can continue to write a new book through a tour, but I’ve never been one of them.

Being home I could take the day off and just enjoy that Jason is on the shelves, but I didn’t. Instead I did what writers do, I wrote. Writers write; that may sound simple, but a lot of beginning writers don’t seem to truly grasp the concept. Writers write when we’re happy. We write when we’re sad. We write when we’re inspired. We write in order to get inspired. We write when the outside world has moved us to spill some reality onto the page. We write when the inside of our head is so loud that it seems almost more real than reality. We write to understand ourselves, to understand others, or to just admit on paper we don’t understand either. We write to make sense of the world and to share fiction that is often tidier and more logical than real life. Some of us write to escape logic and put the fantastic on the page so that everyone can hunt dragons from the safety of their homes. Writers can help you hunt down a killer, solve a mystery so baffling and dangerous that the death toll is frightening, all from the safety of your armchair. Writers write about what moves them, outrages them, intrigues them, makes them laugh out loud, or weep. Writers write; and if they’re very lucky, what they write moves the rest of the world as much as it moves them. I celebrated the release of my newest book, Jason, by working on the next book, because I’m a writer, and writers write.

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49 thoughts on “New Blog – Jason, the novel, is here!”

  1. Yes! Been enjoying it since 2AM. Trying to pace myself! Having more luck than usual. Most of the time I read your books in 1 or 2 sittings which is thrilling but exhausting. Talk about being used up. Your books are like crack! Wonderful fanciful crack! LOL. You’re awesome. I’m looking forward to your next book, as I do ALL of your beautiful creations 😀 Thank you for who you are and what you do. *hugs* 🙂

    1. Can’t wait to get my copy of Jason. Collecting the whole series. Like how you celebrate a new book coming out because that means we have another one coming out to enjoy.

      1. Laurell has spoiled us with so many great books. And at the rate she is still going, I think we can look forward to being spoiled a very long time! Thank goodness. Heh-heh. Speaking of collecting, it’s hard not to end up with more than one copy of her books. Anytime I come across a hardback on sale, I have to buy it! LOL. And this is from someone who switched to eBooks several years ago. It’s impossible to pass up a good book 😉

    2. I am happy that so many readers are enjoying “Jason”. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. I felt the book was about their sex lives. Not sure if the book was defending or explaining. I did read the beginning of “Dead Ice”. It looks great!

      1. I don’t mean to be negative. To me, Jason is so much more than sex. He understands the group and is always there for all of them. He is smart, kind, humorous and so many other things. He understands himself, and can therefor understand others. I did not feel that these skills were shown or explained.

        1. I have read and reread the first 21 Anita Blake books four times. But this one should not be listed in the same category. I am sorry but I hated it. Where was the action, the hunting or anything else normal for one of your books? They never got out of bed. I love the sex in the first 21 books but it belonged in as a part of the whole, not the other way around.

          1. I totally agree. I have read my books several times. This book was one dimensional and unimpressive. So disappointed. Hopefully the next will be better.

        2. Just had to jump in here… Maybe not, but this is more a novella than a full-length novel, which means there wasn’t room to include everything like that. This was more about his relationship with JJ, with Anita and her relationship with Jude and…well, everyone, and growth on both their parts. *shrug* To me, this accomplished that AND gave us some great sex. LOL

  5. I couldn’t have said that better myself. I write every day of the year and that’s just for my own love of writing at this time. I have never attempted to publish any of my stories as of yet, maybe someday who knows. Yes writwrs write that’s just what we do! 🙂

  6. waiting for it to hit my mail box…and then give me ohhhh…maybe….4 hours top and i will have it read….i love your books, Laurell Hamilton….please keep them coming…

  7. And what a great book it was! Just finished it a little bit ago. Nice to read and can’t wait for Dead Ice!

  8. Dear LKH,
    Just wanted 2 let u know I’m enjoying JASON very much! I lv all Ur books! Ty 4 writing. I hope I get 2 met u next time Ur in Baltimore. Keep up the great wk! Hope their will b more MERRY books as well as Anitas?! Xo

  9. I understand it is hard work having one book just released while writing another, but I have to say I couldn’t be happier to hear it. I can’t wait until the next anita book is released. I love all your books but love Anita the best. I wish you and your family health and lots of happiness.

    Martha

  10. Love it. I’m half way thru. Congrats on this and all you achievements! You deserve it. Thank you

  11. Just wanted to let you know that I’ve spent the last 5 weeks re-reading the entirety of Anita Blake and Merry Gentry, and am finally about to read Jason. Those books have been my happy place to withdraw to while I’ve been dealing with my depression and trying to get my medication under control. I’ve loved your books for years, and look forward to many more.

    Thank you,

    Jessica

  14. I’m so glad that the Anita series is still going strong. Thank you for all the time and work you put into each and every book and congrats on another great release!

  15. Congratulations Laurel.
    I’m getting mine today! My sister told me she would get it for me for Christmas. She usually does if one comes out around Christmas, though she’s not a big reader she knows that it’s my alone time when I’m reading your wonderful books. I can be in a room FULL with people but when I get my book out I’m in Anita’s world.
    I hope my sister doesn’t think I’m going to wait until Christmas day to start reading it.. I’ll just have to unwrap it, read it, wrap it back up and she will be none the wiser. LOL.

  16. i realy love the book, please keep going
    i find it amazing how many books that you’ve writen
    i’m currently trying to write one, i wont ask how to (lol)
    whenever i read your books, i find myself drawn right in, and i can’t put it down

  17. Was anticipating Jason but Kobo Canada has both covers with 2 different prices?
    Kobo is strictly ebooks so I thought one was a graphic novel but preview samples are exactly the same. Is there a difference or should I just go for the cheapest?
    Please let me know so I can get reading.
    Thanks for all of your books LKH!! I have re-read many times and thoroughly enjoyed them each time.
    Laurie

  18. Just found out about Jason being released and Dead Ice coming. Jason will be my Sunday treat and Dead Ice will be and early birthday gift to myself.
    Writers do write and artists make art many a time I’ve woken in the wee small hours to grab a pen or pencil or anything that makes a line, but lucky for me I only disturb the dog.

  19. Love the art on the left hand cover those editions always look grate either on paper or in electronic form.

  20. I am a collector of all your Anita Blake and Merry books in hardback. I am, though unable to find Jason in this format. Is Jason only being published as a paperback? How cam I find it? It is my question also if the publishers are going to this format?

  21. I am patiently awaiting my pre-ordered copy of “Jason”. For me if it doesn’t get here soon I may do what I do sometimes, go buy it at Barnes and Nobel, then gift the other to one of the children who are wanting my series when I die, (they are fighting over who gets which set when I die) and I have no intention of that being any time soon!! I have read many reviews for the “pros” and it has received many good comments, although I don’t care what most people say about a book. I read to see what happens next! I think if authors that wrote classics back when had of thought about serializing their works the world would have more people reading instead of rotting their brains with the crap coming out of Hollywood.

    I also remember a couple of years back there was some talk of making a movie out of one of your books. What happened with that? Well, other than the fact your guys are too gorgeous to cast. The only obvious one to play Jean Claude is the French model, whose name can not recall at the moment. I immediately thought of him when I heard of the possibility of the movie. I thought it strange I would even have a clue as to who would make a good Jean Claude.

    Thank you for that fertile brain. Hope Anita doesn’t retire.

    1. I Finally finished Jason. For the life of me I can’t figure out why this is part of the Anita Blake series. It was one single Scene. All about detail sex and being comfortable with being a lesbian. Not vampires, no fighting, no battles just how to be comfortable with lesbian.

      If that is Laurell new interest why not create a new series? Why mess with the anita Blake series

  24. So disappointed
    I got hooked on on Anita Blake series when I heard Bloody Bones on book radio. It was suspense, fighting, rescue, good verses evil and adult fun.

    Now everything is just orgies. I’m on chapter five and no action no good verses evil just details on excuses for people to have group sex. This would never make book radio.

    To make matters worst I RECOMMENDED the Anita Blake series to others. I described the anita Blake series as the adult twighliight. While some were in their mid and late 20s. I would never had if I knew it would go in this direction.

    So so so disappointed.

    1. LC,

      This is a novella, not a full novel, so it’s just supposed to be a short story revolving around one or two smaller plots. That plot was not only getting Anita comfortable being with women and her realizing that it wasn’t a discomfort with being with women in general but more specifically being with Jade, but also about Jason’s relationship with JJ and Anita.

      Sure, that was all worked out through sex, but there was a lot of story within that sex.

  25. I have read and reread the first 21 Anita Blake books four times. But this one should not be listed in the same category. I am sorry but I hated it. Where was the action, the hunting or anything else normal for one of your books? They never got out of bed. I love the sex in the first 21 books but it belonged in as a part of the whole, not the other way around.

  27. Just finished reading Jason. Please Please don’t send him to New York bring J.J to St Louis, the family won’t be complete without him. Nathaniel needs him to be the brother Stephen can’t and Anita needs his stability and sharp mind as well as the wicked sense of humour that helps keep life in balance . J.J could also use the group to help her find what she really needs.

  28. Ok I have to ask I’m sure you have been asked this before but i have to ask for me.

    Are you in a Polyamorous Relationship? I really want to know like to know the answer you could just email me the answer thank you.

  31. I really hope you bring NIckys old alpha back I really liked Jacob. Also if you start getting rid of characters that are not that important start thinking of some of the men that really dont have a strong tie to Anita.

  32. I bought Jason last night on Amazon at about 3am and finished around 5am. I couldn’t put it down. Great stuff. I do so hope we see JJ again! Loved her! And I swear, Jason is one of my favorite characters. He’s just damn adorable!

  33. Love love LOVE your series! Still waiting on merry gentry, but anita blake series is getting so much more interesting. Can’t wait to read Dead Ice!

  34. I could not find a place to contact, so I decided to use the forum. I was introduced to your books about a year ago. I love your work and am on a mission to read every one of them. My time is limited and since my career leaves me driving 10 hours a day I use audible to listen to your books, sadly books 10 through 15 are unavailable there. I came to your website to find out where else I could purchase them, but you list audible as the audiobook option… Does this mean they will be available soon?

  35. I have two issues that I would like to throw out: 1. I don’t like the idea that Jean Claude is having sex with any other women. Jean Claude, Micah & Nathaniel should only be having sex with 1 female and that is Anita. I know that doesn’t seem fair but it’s just my feeling on those three! I didn’t like that we never saw Jean Claude or Micah in Jason; I always want them to at least make an appearance. I am glad that Anita finally figured out her issue with Jade. I never thought it would last because it seemed kind of forced, not really that she had an issue being with a female but Jade herself. All her men are strong males, Jade was not a strong female. I hope Jade finds someone that will take care of her & give her what she needs. Anyway, thank you Ms. Hamilton for creating this amazing world. I have read & listened to all of the books more times than I can count. Each time always feels like the first time. I get real excited about it & say to myself oh what is going to happen next, even though I know what is going to happen. 😀

  36. I just bought Jason this afternoon and am sad that I already finished it. Really enjoyed the direction you went with Jade and Anita. I can almost see how the relationship will evolve with them both as well as with Jason and J.J. I read and reread both the Anita Blake and Merideth Gentry series. Classics that no matter how many times they’re read, they still thrill a reader. Really looking forward to Dead Ice. Love getting a look into Anita’s brain as she works and plays. Thumbs up all around!

  39. I love reading the anita blake series. I read her books over and over again I never can wait for her next book to come out. She tells the story in a way that captures her attention I can’t wait to see if Olaf comes back for Anita and Edward has to come help. I can’t wait to see if her past about Domingo Salvador comes to haunt her. I want to know how the wedding turns out and who is all going to be apart of it. I want to see more of Ethan and Dominio cause they have a history almost like hers the feeling of being an outcast. I want to see if Asher will get over his issues. I want to see if Richard gets his happy ending. I feel in love with Nicky I want to see more of him. I also want to know if Anita takes the 4th mark from Jean Claude and if she does how does that effect every one tied to her. I want to know more about what is going on with Crispin. I want to know more about some of the characters that seemed to fall behind the scenes.

  40. I’m totally dissappointed in the new Anita Blake novel “Jason”. I can handle most sex scenes in your books but this one was nonstop sex, sex, and more sex in every conceivable way it can be done. Thats it, nothing else. No us marshal stuff, no anita powers, just sex. I’m not pure by any means but this is ridiculous.

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