Interview With Justin Weber

In High and Out, a professional hockey player facing the end of his career fights to overcome addiction and the personal demons threatening to destroy him. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

My oldest son had just turned six, the age I decided I was going to be a professional hockey player when I grew up. Addiction and personal demons were a part of the ending to my amateur hockey career ten years ago. I’ve had a rough relationship with hockey since then but my Mom was diagnosed with stage four cancer late last year and I wanted to write something for her that she could read during her treatment and recovery. Unfortunately she passed away before she was able to finish reading it but she loved it and even cried when I showed her the book trailer and she wasn’t a cryer.

Did you include anything from your own life in Jason’s experiences?

Mostly all of his experiences were either from my life or from my childhood dreams. I really wanted to be Jason and for a long time I thought I could and would be him. I somehow ended up more like a mix of Carl and Dr. Sutton though.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

Love, change, family, and forgiveness. Without those themes, we are doomed and stand no chance. Ultimately it’s about fate too, I suppose.

What is the next book you are working on? When can fans expect to see it released?

After my hockey career ended, I spent the next ten years in financial services, selling insurance and retirement plans, so I’ve started a fun drama in that space that I’d like to have released within the next year. I’ve also got some western ideas and a couple historical fictions I’d like to write. Then we may also have to check back in on Jason from time to time and see how he’s doing… and I may have already started on that as well.