Q&A: Jason Gent, Author of ‘This Season’s Draft’
We chat with author Jason Gent about This Season’s Draft, which is set in the year leading up to the AFL Draft and following the experiences of six teenagers who are in its orbit.
Hi, Jason! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I am a Meanjin based writer, on Yuggera country. I studied Professional Writing and Editing at RMIT. I’ve had a number of short stories and poems published in Australian literary and poetry magazines. I am a member of Write Links. In 2021, I was shortlisted for the Glendower Awards for an Emerging Queensland Writer as part of the Queensland Literary Awards, for my YA verse novel, On The Exhale. This Season’s Draft is my first published novel.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
My imagination was formed through all the creative play I did as a child, with a majority of that revolving around playing sport and pretending I was in my favourite teams. I always enjoyed creative writing aspects of school, but really started focusing on it when I was in rehab from an ankle reconstruction. I wrote my first books when I was 16.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: MAD Magazine
- The one that made you want to become an author: Lord of the Flies (so I could re-write the ending)
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: David Levithan’s, The Realm of Possibility
Your debut novel, This Season’s Draft, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Fast paced, authentic, emotionally impactful.
What can readers expect?
This Season’s Draft is a YA verse novel about 12 months in the lives of 6 characters as they finish their final year of high school and try to get drafted into the AFL. The book is divided into the 4 seasons, with each character continuing their stories’ as the seasons change. The book covers their family lives, romantic lives, friendships and all the challenges life brings as you finish high school.
Where did the inspiration for This Season’s Draft come from?
The original inspiration for This Season’s Draft was from a documentary called, The Draft. I originally saw the doco over 20 years ago. The 3 players it followed all went on to have distinguished and well known careers, which helped to keep the idea simmering away in my brain.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I thought about writing the book for 20 plus years, but wrote it in 3 weeks. I really enjoyed writing all of the characters for the 3 weeks, it all flowed very easily because I’d thought about the characters and the individual scenes for so long.
What do you hope readers take away from This Season’s Draft?
I was a reluctant reader, so I hope this book helps some people to begin their reading journey.
What’s next for you?
I’d like This Season’s Draft to become a series of books, so I’m working on the next one. It will be the same format, but new characters.
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
Earlier this year I read, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, by Ocean Vuong, and was completely blown away by his writing style, his stories, and the way he is able to capture nuances of life.
The book I’m most looking forward to reading is, The Emperor of Gladness, by Ocean Vuong.
