WOODSTOCK — Middle school can be tough.
In writing his latest book, “Scar Dakota,” local author Jason Wright tapped into a panel of middle school students — and his own experiences — to create a novel that speaks to kids in this tricky phase and offers some tools to get through the inevitable challenges life will throw their way.
Wright, a Woodstock-based best-selling author who has penned nearly two dozen books, said his foray into children’s literature seemed like a natural extension of the time he has spent with young people over the years.
“I have visited hundreds of schools across the country and presented on kindness and empathy and learning to be more service-oriented. I focus really heavily on character building. But I never had written a book that was targeted to their age,” Wright said recently by phone. “I wanted to tell a story that would take me back to the seventh grade — the lead character is a seventh grader. My seventh grade year was brutal.”
Wright said that while his character does not have exactly the same experience that he did as a kid, he worked to develop a story that is representative of that time in life.
“I wanted to create a really challenging school year for this kid,” he said. “I want any young reader to finish it and say, ‘I can do hard things. I’m going to have to do hard things.’”
To keep the book authentic and help the characters’ voices ring true, Wright sought input from about 50 middle school-aged kids from across the country. The group read together chapters of the book as Wright wrote it, meeting via Zoom to give feedback and ask questions of the author.
Working with students this way “was the most deeply rewarding and satisfying experience of my career — and that’s not hyperbole,” Wright said. “They really pushed me to make it better. It’s a demonstratively better book and story because of their feedback. They asked a lot of great questions. They gave me great feedback. They’d say this is not a word that a middle schooler would use in 2024. Several of us, including the writer, shed some tears when we said goodbye. It became really a personal, intimate experience.”
Wright said that his reading group helped him create “some really great touches” and will recognize some Easter eggs that he put in the book just for them. He also included the names — first or last — of every reader who participated in the group in the book.
Noting that he enjoys the editing process, Wright said that having feedback while he was actively writing was a new – and fun – experience.
It was not the only unusual approach he took with “Scar Dakota.”
After disagreements with publishers, Wright decided to fund the book through the crowd-sourcing application, Kickstarter.
His initial goal of $7,000 was reached in the first couple of hours, Wright said, noting that the project went on to garner 176 backers on the app. He ultimately raised about $35,000 both on and off the platform, Wright said.
“That enabled us to absorb costs for design and legal stuff and the big ticket of getting the books printed,” Wright said, adding that in the process he developed his own publishing company, InkVein Publishing. “That enables me to now publish other people’s work.”
Wright said that through this process he “developed some great relationships with design and printer brokers. I’m more of a believer in self-publishing than ever before.”
Locally, “Scar Dakota” is available exclusively at Four Star Printing in Woodstock, where they have pre-signed copies.
Noting that Barnes and Noble now takes books on consignment, Wright said he delivered copies to the Harrisonburg store last week. It is also available on Amazon.
That Wright overcame some obstacles to get this book published is fitting.
It is a central theme of the book.
“Life is going to be hard. I can promise them that something hard is going to come,” Wright said. “I really want kids to close the book and say, ‘Ok, I feel like I have some tools in my tool bag to handle things.”
While the book is for middle-grade students, Wright said he believes it will appeal to adults as well.
“It’s for anyone with scars and for everyone who wants to believe they can become beautiful,” he said.
Wright will host a book signing at Flour & Water Co. in Woodstock from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. He said the first 100 guests that night will get a free triple chocolate brownie courtesy the bakery.
For more information, visit www.jasonwright.com .
