Jason Mott’s “Hell Of A Book” Is One Character’s Cross Country Book Tour Of Love and Loss

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In this episode 223, guest hosted by writer, editor, and performer, Alice Osborn, we visit with New York Times bestselling author Jason Mott, author of “Hell Of A Book.”

In “Hell of a Book,” an African-American author sets out on a cross-country book tour to promote his bestselling novel. That storyline drives Jason Mott’s novel and is the scaffolding of something much larger and more urgent: since his novel also tells the story of Soot, a young Black boy living in a rural town in the recent past, and The Kid, a possibly imaginary child who appears to the author on his tour.

While the book is at once about family, love of parents and children, art, and money, there always is the tragic story of a police shooting playing over and over on the news. Who has been killed? Who is The Kid? Will the author finish his book tour, and what kind of world will he leave behind? Mott says he has been writing this book in his head for ten years.

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About the Author:

Jason Mott received his BFA and MFA from UNC Wilmington. He has published several works of poetry and fiction, including two poetry collections and three novels. His debut novel, The Returned, received broad critical acclaim—it was a New York Times bestseller and later adapted for a network television drama series. His recent novel, Hell of a Book, is published by Dutton. He lives in Southeastern North Carolina. 

Guest Host Alice Osborn

Alice Osborn is an experienced performer and editor from Raleigh, NC. An accomplished poet, she incorporates history, as well as the call of home and identity, to influence her folk vibe on acoustic guitar. Heroes without Capes is her most recent collection of poetry and Searching for Paradise is her most recent CD featuring crowd-pleasing favorite originals. Alice is the recipient of a United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County 2019 Professional Development Grant; is the President of the NC Songwriters’ Co-op and serves on the Board of Trustees for the NCWN. She also plays fiddle, mandolin, and banjo. Listen to her Charlotte Readers Podcast episode HERE.

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