Jason Rhian Profile

I am probably unique in terms of background. I served in the U.S. military for six years where I repaired the M1A1 Abrams. I left the military in 1997. After a year or so of aimless wandering I entered hell, serving as a corrections officer between 1999 and 2006. When Space Shuttle Columbia was lost in 2003, I decided to finally enter college at the age of 30. In 2009 I graduated with a degree in Mass Communications (journalism and public relations). I had high hopes, believing I could work for NASA. And I did (after a fashion). I was an intern at the Kennedy Space Center press site in the summer of 2007 and would go on to complete another NASA internship in 2009.

Eventually I focused more on journalism. Between 2009 and 2013 I worked for pretty much everyone (or at least every major space news outlet). After several years, I opted to go my own way and formed SpaceFlightInsider.com. Sadly, in 2016 a condition brought on by my military service reared its ugly head making traveling to cover events virtually impossible.

Keep in mind that I ended my career as a CO to get away from the stress that job entailed. With the change in my medical condition I couldn't do much of what I loved - storytelling. I had to focus almost entirely on keeping the company running. This was something I had no experience with at all and I wasn't good at it. It was time for me to move on.

Prior to all of of that I was a nerd trapped in the middle of BFN who loved science fiction, art and stories. Throughout my life, I would jot down little stories which grew. Now at the ripe old age of 46 (god that hurts just saying it), I decided to turn the page and get something published that wasn't a news story, photo gallery or video production.

So, here I am. I'm hoping the gang here can help me make the transition from journalism to writing a novel.