Jason Roberts (author)
Encyclopedia
Jason Roberts is an American
writer
of fiction
and nonfiction. He is best known for the bestselling A Sense of the World
: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler (2006), a biography of James Holman
, the blind adventurer of the early 19th century. He was the editor of The Learn2 Guide (Villard) and has also contributed to McSweeney's
, McSweeney's
Internet Tendency, The Village Voice
, The Believer
, and the San Francisco Chronicle
.
In addition to his work as a journalist and author, Roberts was the founder of the pioneering educational website Learn2.com, honored by Yahoo as "one of the ten most important websites of the 20th Century." He is also an authority on multimedia programming, and has written or co-written several volumes in the Director Demystified reference/instructional series (Peachpit Press).
He is a graduate of University of California, Santa Cruz
and member of the San Francisco Writers' Grotto, a workspace co-operative that also includes Po Bronson
, Caroline Paul
, Tom Barbash
, Peter Orner
, ZZ Packer
, and B. Ruby Rich
, among others.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
of fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
and nonfiction. He is best known for the bestselling A Sense of the World
A Sense of the World
A Sense of the World is a bestselling biography of James Holman , the blind Englishman who overcame the adversity of sightlessness to become a world traveler and cultural commentator...
: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler (2006), a biography of James Holman
James Holman
James Holman FRS , known as the "Blind Traveler," was a British adventurer, author and social observer, best known for his writings on his extensive travels...
, the blind adventurer of the early 19th century. He was the editor of The Learn2 Guide (Villard) and has also contributed to McSweeney's
McSweeney's
McSweeney's is an American publishing house founded by editor Dave Eggers.Apart from its book list, McSweeney's is responsible for four regular publications: the quarterly literary journal,...
, McSweeney's
McSweeney's
McSweeney's is an American publishing house founded by editor Dave Eggers.Apart from its book list, McSweeney's is responsible for four regular publications: the quarterly literary journal,...
Internet Tendency, The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
, The Believer
The Believer (magazine)
The Believer is a United States literary magazine that also covers other arts and general culture. Founded and designed in 2003 by the writer and publisher Dave Eggers, it is edited by Vendela Vida, Heidi Julavits and Ed Park...
, and the San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Chronicle
thumb|right|upright|The Chronicle Building following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 earthquake]] and fireThe San Francisco Chronicle is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, but distributed throughout Northern and Central California,...
.
In addition to his work as a journalist and author, Roberts was the founder of the pioneering educational website Learn2.com, honored by Yahoo as "one of the ten most important websites of the 20th Century." He is also an authority on multimedia programming, and has written or co-written several volumes in the Director Demystified reference/instructional series (Peachpit Press).
He is a graduate of University of California, Santa Cruz
University of California, Santa Cruz
The University of California, Santa Cruz, also known as UC Santa Cruz or UCSC, is a public, collegiate university; one of ten campuses in the University of California...
and member of the San Francisco Writers' Grotto, a workspace co-operative that also includes Po Bronson
Po Bronson
Po Bronson is an American journalist and author who lives in San Francisco, California.-Personal history:Bronson was born in Seattle, Washington. After attending Lakeside School in Seattle, he graduated from Stanford University in 1986 and briefly worked as an assistant bond salesman in San...
, Caroline Paul
Caroline Paul
Caroline Paul is an American writer of fiction and nonfiction. She was raised in Connecticut , and educated in journalism and documentary film at Stanford University...
, Tom Barbash
Tom Barbash
Tom Barbash is an American writer of fiction and nonfiction, educator and critic. He is the author of the novel The Last Good Chance and the bestselling nonfiction work On Top of the World: Cantor Fitzgerald, Howard Lutnick & 9/11: A Story of Loss & Renewal...
, Peter Orner
Peter Orner
Peter Orner is an American writer of fiction. He is the author of the novels Love and Shame and Love and The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo and the short story collection Esther Stories...
, ZZ Packer
ZZ Packer
ZZ Packer is an African-American author, notable for her works of short fiction.-Life:She grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and Louisville, Kentucky. "ZZ" was a childhood nickname; her given name is Zuwena...
, and B. Ruby Rich
B. Ruby Rich
B. Ruby Rich is an American scholar, critic of independent, Latin American, documentary and gay films, and a professor of Film & Digital Media and Social Documentation also known as "SocDoc" at UC Santa Cruz. She has also taught documentary film and queer studies during spring semesters at UC...
, among others.
Honors
- Inaugural winner, Van Zorn Prize for short fiction "in the tradition of Edgar Allan Poe", an award established and judged by Michael ChabonMichael ChabonMichael Chabon born May 24, 1963) is an American author and "one of the most celebrated writers of his generation", according to The Virginia Quarterly Review....
, for his short story "7C", published in McSweeney's Enchanted Chamber of Astonishing Stories (2004). - Finalist, National Book Critics Circle AwardNational Book Critics Circle AwardThe National Book Critics Circle Award is an annual award given by the National Book Critics Circle to promote the finest books and reviews published in English....
for biography, 2006. - Nominee, Guardian First Book AwardGuardian First Book AwardGuardian First Book Award, issued before 1999 as Guardian Fiction Prize or Guardian Fiction Award, is awarded to new writing in fiction and non-fiction.-History:...
for 2006. - A Best Book of the Year, 2006, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Kirkus Reviews, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Rocky Mountain News.