A Very Different Hot Seat with Cover Model Jason Aaron Baca

Since it's inception the Hot Seat interviews have been designed to highlight new and established authors and their works. Well as a Happy Holiday Treat for all my friends I've decided to do something special. Today we have cover model Jason Aaron Baca with us in the hot seat. I suspect that by the end of the interview some of you will feel like you're actually sitting in the hot seat, especially after seeing some of his covers and other pictures he's allowed me to include in this post. 

Thanks for agreeing to be interviewed Jason, and for offering a giveaway of a signed model card for one lucky follower that comments on this post. Before we get started with the questions here's a little bit of information about Jason for those who aren't familiar with him or his work.

Jason Aaron Baca is a Romance Novel Cover Model from Los Gatos , California USA. he was born and raised in Los Gatos, CA where he played baseball for Los Gatos High School. While playing ball at college level, Jason changed careers and began modeling after being discovered by a photographer on location for the movie I Know What You Did Last Summer. With a goal of becoming a versatile and sought after model Jason began doing fashion, glamour, fine art, and even Playgirl modeling shoots. He has also acted appearing in such movies as the Demon Within and Nash Bridges but has consistently placed his modeling career first. Today he has modeling for over 100 romance novels.

Now lets see how Jason answers our hot seat questions.

About your work:

How did you get started in your career as a Romance Novel Cover Model?

This is a question I have been asked most often I’d say.  I had been doing the mainstream

Modeling for a good 10 years. I was about to call it quits when  I walked into a bookstore to do some reading. As I walked in, something caught my attention. It was a romance novel. The guy looked my age, had my look, and was expressionless but with character to his look. I knew that from that moment on, I knew that I wanted to be a romance novel model. It was in my eye, in my heart and in my mind and it became part of my entire body. 

Why do you do what you do for work?

Because I love it. For years, I was searching for something in my life that was gratifying. I tried so many different lifestyles but none really seemed to give me that satisfaction. After seeing myself on my first romance novel it became apparent to me that this was what I was born for.

Have you ever had a day you wanted to quit and do something different?

YES of course! There are moments when things don’t go your way or you see graphic artists using other models that you feel you are better than. I have learned to relax and realize that I won’t be on EVERY cover that comes out.

Do you feel lucky to be doing what you are doing?

No actually. Luck to me is when money falls from the sky and you collect it. But I have created what I do. I don’t accept no for an answer. I go at this stuff with the attitude of “how would I approach this career if I knew I could not fail?” I feel that once I set my mind to do something and have envisioned what I’m after, I go for it. Sure there will be a lot of NO’s.. But it’s the yes’s that matter.

Tell me how you got to where you are today?

I got here from doing something every single day towards that goal. I mean everyday it could be as big as being in touch with a big publisher regarding a shoot or it could be as small as making sure I hit the gym that extra 10 minutes to bring in those muscles.

How do your family/spouses react to your work? Do they know what you do?

Not that well. In the beginning they didn't really know about what I was doing then when the book covers started coming out they got a little interested. But then after like the 5^th or 6^th cover they said, okay now that’s enough. I’d send them a book and they wouldn't bother responding. I understand though. It’s just not their thing, Its mine. And I rely on all of you for acceptance and receive it well. I’m very thankful for it.

About you:

What are you passionate about in life?

I’m very passionate about reaching this goal. I won’t share that goal with you until I have conquered it here. Once I do, I’ll be out of the business but for now, I enjoy pursuing it!

If you had to give a thank-you speech at the Oscars, who would you thank and what would you say?

I’d thank all those in this business that gave me a chance. Those that didn't get tired of me contacting them with follow up letters, etc.

What are the three most important life lessons you've learned that might make life easier for others?

#1 That if someone in the business says “No” that it doesn't mean the entire business is saying no to you. Just that one person’s opinion.

#2 – Find the guys at the top and figure out what it is they are doing. Mirror them. They will save you time.

#3 – Think Big. I've never allowed myself to think average or just settle. I want to either go 100% or not at all.

If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional. Whom would it be and why?

I’d have to say Bob Lazar. He is the engineer that was brought in to Area 51 to try to reverse engineer that UFO. I’d LOVE to be able to know what he knew or saw with his own eyes. Only he knows the real answer.

What's the worst thing you did as a kid?

As a kid I did a lot of bad things. Probably the worst was when I was in 8^th grade and cut school at 10am with a friend. We had $8 plus some change but we ran down to the 7/11 and had someone buy us a 6 pack of Budweiser. We ran down behind the school yard and each chugged 3 in a row. We both tried to return to class but I kept burping the whole time. The rest of the students were totally distracted by me. Plus I didn't know how to act. I just remember feeling so loose and comfortable and very happy inside. Not good for a kid that age.

What do you do to have fun?

Fun to me is being in the gym, working out hard! If it’s not that, its spending time with family or traveling.

Share a funny incident in your life.

Well when I was in high school I went to a party at a friend’s house. About 50 people showed up, we were all having a great time. Well the end of the night came and everyone took off but me. They told me I could sleep on the couch. Well I didn't know it at the time but they had a big guard dog that they let in the house that didn't know me. I had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night so as I was walking down the dark hallway I stopped and heard a Grrrrrrrrr… I realized it was this mean dog… SO… I walked back to the couch and just tried to fall asleep without going to the bathroom. 

Fun Stuff:

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role as you?

I’d like to see Jason Behr play my part… We’re the same age so he could get into character no problem.

 

If you were a type of food, what type of food would you be?

I’d be an abalone! Because its rare, a delicacy and delicious!

What is your favorite color- food- song- movie?

Dark Blue, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Clash Of the Titans (the original version)

What's the funniest pick up line ever used on you or one that you've used?

I can’t remember… It’s been forever since I've used a line.

What's the one thing you can't live without?

Beverly Hills “Advanced Youth Recovery Crème”

And finally:

You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night, it's raining heavily, when suddenly you pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for a bus: 

                       -An old lady who looks as if she is about to die. 

                       -An old friend who once saved your life. 

                       -The perfect partner you have been dreaming about. 

You can only fit one person in your car, who would you choose to offer a ride to?

Okay, is this a trick question? Hmm, then here is a trick answer... I’m not going to take the old lady since she’s about to die anyways. I’d choose the old friend that once saved my life… If it wasn't for him, I’d have not been able to save anyone.

For publishers, indie authors or graphic artists interested in purchasing stock of Jason for book covers visit http://jasonaaronbaca.deviantart.com 

Rules and Instructions are in the Journal on how to purchase photos.

Thanks so much for appearing today Jason, it's been great having you here. I'm sure Jason would love to hear what you think of his work so please leave a comment along with your email address and you'll go in the draw to win a signed model card from Jason.