Ask the Author: Jason M. Hough
Answered Questions (16)
Jason M. Hough
Hey, Robert - thanks for checking in.
Nearly there! Turned down a bunch of work recently so that I could focus on finishing it. I have a completed draft, which I'm now polishing up. Still needs an editorial pass, proofreading, etc.
Have a third book as well which is ~50% done. My hope is to release them six months apart.
Nearly there! Turned down a bunch of work recently so that I could focus on finishing it. I have a completed draft, which I'm now polishing up. Still needs an editorial pass, proofreading, etc.
Have a third book as well which is ~50% done. My hope is to release them six months apart.
Jason M. Hough
Hi Jen! In order for a space elevator to work it needs to be near the equator. So I was looking for interesting places near the equator to set the book, and as soon as I saw Darwin the title leapt out at me, and that was it!
Jason M. Hough
I hope to! The door was definitely left, well, slightly ajar I guess. Plenty of stories to tell in that universe. Right now, though, I am focused on a few new projects, plus the long-delayed sequel to Zero World (which is coming along but still has a ways to go).
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading!
Jason M. Hough
The publisher has priced them identically, actually. It's the retailer that is deciding to discount the print book. Unfortunately it's totally out of my control.
Still, thank you for the feedback, I will pass it on all the same!
Still, thank you for the feedback, I will pass it on all the same!
Jason M. Hough
Fair enough! I do have ideas for continuing the series, but I plan to give it some time to breathe first.
Jason M. Hough
Which book are you considering "the last book?" If it's The Plague Forge, you're in luck: Injection Burn and Escape Velocity are now out and continue the adventure!
If you mean Escape Velocity, the answer is that I currently have no plans for more Dire Earth books, but I haven't ruled it out...
If you mean Escape Velocity, the answer is that I currently have no plans for more Dire Earth books, but I haven't ruled it out...
Jason M. Hough
Thanks for pointing that out! Should be working now...
Jason M. Hough
Great question!
A bit of trivia I suppose: the first draft of the book used a line from a Marillion song (all of my books have a Marillion reference of some kind). However, it was purely just chosen because it sounded cool, and carried no extra meaning in terms of the story. I knew as soon as I put it in there that I wanted to change it to something better.
Later I thought of Mindcrime, for the reason you mentioned but also because of what is happening to Caswell in the grander scheme of things. It fit really well and I thought the readers who are familiar with the album would get a kick out of it.
A bit of trivia I suppose: the first draft of the book used a line from a Marillion song (all of my books have a Marillion reference of some kind). However, it was purely just chosen because it sounded cool, and carried no extra meaning in terms of the story. I knew as soon as I put it in there that I wanted to change it to something better.
Later I thought of Mindcrime, for the reason you mentioned but also because of what is happening to Caswell in the grander scheme of things. It fit really well and I thought the readers who are familiar with the album would get a kick out of it.
Jason M. Hough
Yes. That's all I can say for the moment.
Jason M. Hough
Short answer: Yes! When? Hard to say.
I'm working in it, but have to do it myself. So, it's taking longer than a contracted release because I have to sneak in work on it here and there. Once I've got a complete manuscript I may do a Kickstarter in order to help hire an editor, cover artist, and so on. Please join my mailing list for more timely updates on that and my general progress: https://www.jasonhough.com/maillist
(UPDATE Jun 2019) - Currently between projects so I have a few months to focus on this. With any luck I'll get to spend all summer on it. I'm currently aiming to have a complete manuscript by the end of the year, which could mean a publishable book by summer 2020.
(UPDATE Aug 2018) - Managed to get about a third of it done this summer, but unfortunately will have to set it on the back burner again as I've signed contracts for two other books. Once those are out of the way, I'm going to make every attempt to focus entirely on ZW2.
(UPDATE Feb 2018) - I'm actively working on it now, and hope to be done September (or so). Note that I am doing this entirely on my own, and being labor of love, if another project comes my way that might affect the schedule.
I'm working in it, but have to do it myself. So, it's taking longer than a contracted release because I have to sneak in work on it here and there. Once I've got a complete manuscript I may do a Kickstarter in order to help hire an editor, cover artist, and so on. Please join my mailing list for more timely updates on that and my general progress: https://www.jasonhough.com/maillist
(UPDATE Jun 2019) - Currently between projects so I have a few months to focus on this. With any luck I'll get to spend all summer on it. I'm currently aiming to have a complete manuscript by the end of the year, which could mean a publishable book by summer 2020.
(UPDATE Aug 2018) - Managed to get about a third of it done this summer, but unfortunately will have to set it on the back burner again as I've signed contracts for two other books. Once those are out of the way, I'm going to make every attempt to focus entirely on ZW2.
(UPDATE Feb 2018) - I'm actively working on it now, and hope to be done September (or so). Note that I am doing this entirely on my own, and being labor of love, if another project comes my way that might affect the schedule.
Jason M. Hough
(UPDATED 2/6/18) I'm actively working on it now, and hope to be done September (or so). Note that I am doing this entirely on my own, and being labor of love, if another project comes my way that might affect the schedule.
Once I've got a complete manuscript I may do a Kickstarter in order to help hire an editor, cover artist, and so on. Please join my mailing list for more timely updates on that and my general progress: https://www.jasonhough.com/maillist
Once I've got a complete manuscript I may do a Kickstarter in order to help hire an editor, cover artist, and so on. Please join my mailing list for more timely updates on that and my general progress: https://www.jasonhough.com/maillist
Jason M. Hough
The Dire Earth series is 3 books, ending with The Plague Forge. Keep in mind, though, that there is a prequel novella called The Dire Earth which can be purchased as an ebook, or acquired by purchasing my new novel Zero World (the novella is included at the end of that).
I am working on new books that follow the further adventures of the characters from The Plague Forge, but those books will have a different series name. That will make more sense when you're done!
I am working on new books that follow the further adventures of the characters from The Plague Forge, but those books will have a different series name. That will make more sense when you're done!
Jason M. Hough
Pie!
Something about a good, slightly crunchy crust with pretty much any filling. I'm not big on doughy cake or heavy frosting. I mean, I won't turn it down, but if the choice is there I go for pie.
Favorite: Key lime.
Something about a good, slightly crunchy crust with pretty much any filling. I'm not big on doughy cake or heavy frosting. I mean, I won't turn it down, but if the choice is there I go for pie.
Favorite: Key lime.
Jason M. Hough
I've just wrapped up work on ZERO WORLD, which will be released in North America on August 11th, 2015 (and hopefully in the UK as well).
Up next... well that's still under wraps, but it's quite dire.
Up next... well that's still under wraps, but it's quite dire.
Jason M. Hough
Write. It's really as simple and as incredibly difficult as that. But it's the truth. All the fancy software, all the brilliant how-to books, all the bits of writing advice like this... none of that will matter if you don't put in the work. So find a way to do it. Make the time.
Less crucial, but still potential useful:
Remember "there are no rules, only tools." Whenever someone tells you you can't do X, or that you must do Y, you *should* listen. You should even heed their proclamation. But you should also remember that every writing "rule" like that gets broken, constantly, by great writers. So heed such "rules" until you feel comfortable breaking them, and make sure you understand why you're doing it. Treat these things as tools. Some tools will be useful to you, some won't, and some you'll only need to deploy when things aren't working. It goes back to the top of this answer - "Write." You have to write in order to figure out what tools will help you.
One last tip: Listen to audio books. Good ones, especially. I think you'll find you become a better writer as a result.
Less crucial, but still potential useful:
Remember "there are no rules, only tools." Whenever someone tells you you can't do X, or that you must do Y, you *should* listen. You should even heed their proclamation. But you should also remember that every writing "rule" like that gets broken, constantly, by great writers. So heed such "rules" until you feel comfortable breaking them, and make sure you understand why you're doing it. Treat these things as tools. Some tools will be useful to you, some won't, and some you'll only need to deploy when things aren't working. It goes back to the top of this answer - "Write." You have to write in order to figure out what tools will help you.
One last tip: Listen to audio books. Good ones, especially. I think you'll find you become a better writer as a result.
Jason M. Hough
It hasn't really happened to me. Or, perhaps I should say I've always been able to nip it in the bud early on.
Robert McKee's advice is best, in a roundabout way: "The only cure for writer's block is a trip to the library."
I prefer a more generalized version: "The only cure for writer's block is to consume inspiration and ideas like a starved hyena." Go to the library as Robert says, pick things at random and just read. Find a magazine stand, grab anything and read. Go to the cinema and ask for a ticket to whatever is starting next. Sit back and let your self become lost in these things. Forget about what had you stuck, and pretty soon something will trigger an idea.
Robert McKee's advice is best, in a roundabout way: "The only cure for writer's block is a trip to the library."
I prefer a more generalized version: "The only cure for writer's block is to consume inspiration and ideas like a starved hyena." Go to the library as Robert says, pick things at random and just read. Find a magazine stand, grab anything and read. Go to the cinema and ask for a ticket to whatever is starting next. Sit back and let your self become lost in these things. Forget about what had you stuck, and pretty soon something will trigger an idea.
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Jan 23, 2026 11:17PM · flag