Jason Mott is set to release a new novel following his award-winning meta-novel, pivoting to a narrative centred around an award-winning author. The Independent reported that the author’s upcoming book, titled “People Like Us,” serves as a kind of meta-sequel to his previous work, “Hell of a Book,” where he explored a Black author’s surreal promotional tour.
The Penguin Random House imprint Dutton recently announced that they have secured a deal with Mott for “People Like Us.” This forthcoming novel features a “prize-winning Black author” who embarks on a worldwide book tour, encountering a range of fantastical experiences such as invisibility, time travel, sea monsters, and peacocks. “Hell of a Book,” published in 2021, received critical acclaim by winning the National Book Award for fiction and being selected for Jenna Bush Hager’s “Today” show book club.
Scheduled for release next fall, “People Like Us” delves into the personal journey of the protagonist. Mott explained that the novel initially began as a memoir in an attempt to process significant experiences from his time as an author and educator. He shared, “exploring truth requires the framework of fiction,” leading him back to the characters from ‘Hell Of A Book,’ who were eager to reveal new heartaches and joys.
In addition to “Hell of a Book,” Mott is known for his novels “The Returned” and “The Calling,” as well as the poetry collection “We Call This Thing Between Us Love.” With his unique storytelling style and imaginative narratives, Mott continues to captivate readers and critics alike with his upcoming release.
Fans of Mott’s work can anticipate another compelling and thought-provoking read with “People Like Us.” As the author intricately weaves together themes of identity, reality, and storytelling, this novel promises to be a captivating exploration of the human experience through the lens of fiction.