Exploring Faith, Fantasy, And The Creative Journey
Jason P. Crawford, a talented father, teacher, and author, blends faith, inclusivity, and imagination across Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Paranormal genres, inspiring others to write and embrace storytelling challenges.
Jason P. Crawford is a remarkable talent in the literary world, bringing passion, imagination, and authenticity to every page he writes. As a dedicated father of four and a full-time high school teacher, Jason has mastered the art of balancing life’s myriad demands while delving into the boundless realms of speculative fiction. Since taking up the pen in 2012, his creative journey has given rise to captivating works across Fantasy, Paranormal, and Sci-Fi genres, genres renowned for their ability to stretch the imagination and challenge conventional storytelling.
His acclaimed Dragon Monarch tetralogy, now complete with the much-anticipated Dragon Empress, stands as a testament to his storytelling prowess. With Amalia’s daring journey through physical trials, political upheavals, and divine confrontations, Jason constructs a world brimming with depth, magic, and intrigue. The ingenious decision to portray a blind protagonist in Dragon Princess highlights his commitment to creating multifaceted characters and exploring perspectives rarely seen in fiction, setting his work apart as thoughtful and inclusive.
As the mind behind The Samuel Buckland Chronicles and its thought-provoking exploration of faith and destiny, along with a growing repertoire of other works, Jason continues to push the boundaries of what speculative fiction can achieve. His reflective approach to world-building, insights from personal experience, and unrelenting dedication to his craft have established him as a force to be reckoned with in modern storytelling. Beyond the page, Jason’s energy and enthusiasm are infectious, inspiring fellow writers and readers alike to approach both creativity and life with courage and passion.
It is an honour to feature Jason P. Crawford in this issue of Reader’s House. Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and enthralled as we dive into the mind of an author who never ceases to dream big and deliver even bigger.
Jason P. Crawford crafts rich, diverse worlds filled with dynamic characters, merging creativity, inclusivity, and passion to captivate readers worldwide.
What inspired you to write Dragon Princess from the perspective of a blind protagonist, and what challenges did you face in portraying that perspective authentically?
I always try to challenge myself with my writing, working on something new. I decided to write Dragon Princess with a blind main character as practice in using the other senses in writing.
As a father of four, a full-time teacher, and an author, how do you balance your responsibilities while staying productive in your writing?
It’s a challenge! I have to find moments between activities for writing, but also value my work and my time. What I’m doing when I write is worthwhile, and so I can give myself permission to use some of my time on it.
You’ve written in Fantasy, Paranormal fiction, and Sci-Fi. What draws you to these genres, and do you have a particular favourite?
I like writing speculative fiction because those are things that couldn’t happen in real life. It allows me to delve into mystery and magic, something that’s lacking in a lot of ways otherwise. I’d say I probably prefer writing fantasy for my novels and science fiction for my short stories.
You mentioned that marketing is more challenging than writing. What strategies have you found most effective in reaching new readers as a self-published author?
My best strategy is in-person conventions and sales. If I can tell people about my book in person, they understand my excitement and become excited themselves.
The Samuel Buckland Chronicles explores themes of faith and destiny. How did your personal experiences or beliefs shape the creation of this series?
Faith is always a very personal thing for people, and I wanted to respect that. The Samuel Buckland Chronicles don’t proselytize; I’m not a theist myself, so I’m not trying to convince anyone of any perspective. Instead, I treat monotheistic beliefs (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, etc) as just as valid as polytheistic ones that are commonly taught as mythology in schools. They work on equal footing in this series…at least to start.
In Dragon Exile, Amalia faces both physical and political dangers. How do you approach world-building and character development in such a rich and complex fantasy setting?
I write books from beginning to end, without jumping around or editing as I write the draft. This allows me to really integrate with and understand the characters, getting inside their perspectives and allowing them to do what they would do in a given situation without interference from me. As to world building, the essential elements of the world show up when the characters are affected by them or need to interact with them. For instance, Amalia’s father, the King of Aetheria, created a writing system for the blind simply because he knew his daughter would need to read…but that didn’t come up until Amalia needed to read something in my book. Then she told me about the system.
Can you share any details about the sequel to Dragon Princess or other upcoming projects you’re currently working on?
The final novel in the tetralogy, Dragon Empress, is in the final editing stages and the cover art is being completed. We see Amalia’s return to Aetheria, a battle between dragons, and meet some powerful divinities!
What advice would you give to aspiring writers, particularly those considering self-publishing, based on your own journey?
Don’t be afraid. Your first writing will be difficult, and will not be the quality you wish it was…but it can be. You have to write it first, get feedback, and correct it…many times. It’s like learning a sport, or chess, or anything; get it wrong so you can get it right. If you never put the words down, you’ll never have a story.
