Jason P. Reed

[This text will be written in the third person, to give you the impression I'm successful enough to employ a publicist to tend to such trivial matters as online biographies. If you are an actual publicist and you want to help me, out of pity or maybe even admiration, you can find me at jr@newbayoubooks.com.]

Jason Reed came of age in Eunice, Louisiana, in the 1980s. His fondest memories are of listening to "Big Balls", by AC/DC in his older brother's car, reading Thrasher magazine, building launch ramps under the carport, and playing baseball. The Outsiders was the first book he ever read. The first line of it still sticks with him, and he still sometimes encourages friends to "stay gold."

He got an English degree from what was then called the University of Southwestern Louisiana in the mid 90s and worked as a technical writer in Houston when it turned out that his masterpiece comic novel, which remains unfinished on a floppy disc somewhere, did not make him famous. A short while later, he joined the Peace Corps and spent the turn of the century in Mongolia having a really good time.

Returning to the U.S., Jason sidestepped a historically rigorous screening process and was commissioned into the Air Force, freaking out most of his Peace Corps friends. One thing led to another and two decades of various uniformed and civilian service ensued.

Eager to accelerate into the next stage in his life, Jason started New Bayou Books and wrote his first two novels, both set in South-Louisiana, in about 18 months. Recognizing the shortage of contemporary Louisiana literature in the marketplace, Jason is planning to kick start a revolution in Louisiana literature with New Bayou Books. And he needs your help. Visit newbayoubooks.com, join the mailing list, read the books, tell a friend!