So… I Wrote a Book

Jason Rochester
Jan 30
2 min read

Spark in the Dark: Volume 01 (Hard Cover)

Before music became my voice, comics and graphic novels were where I learned about perseverance, identity, and possibility.

They taught me that heroes don’t always have everything figured out sometimes they’re just people trying to do the right thing with what they have.

Spark in the Dark brought me back to the stories that shaped how I see the world.

Spark in the Dark: cover concept artwork

At first, the idea felt intimidating.

I love to draw and create but I've never written or illustrated a graphic novel before.

Music is my language,

My safe place.

Stepping into a medium I didn’t fully understand meant letting go of comfort and trusting instinct instead.

But once I locked in, something shifted.

It became deeply rewarding not just creatively, but internally.

Why a Graphic Novel?

There were parts of my story that didn’t feel right as lyrics or verses.

Some moments needed silence.

Some needed space.

Some needed to be seen rather than heard.

Spark in the Dark allowed me to explore growing up under pressure, carrying responsibility early, and navigating self-doubt in a way that felt honest.

It’s not a story about having all the answers it’s about continuing forward when the path isn’t clear.

That’s something I know a lot of people relate to, whether they’re students, parents, creatives, or anyone quietly figuring things out.

NOT just another book

This project isn’t meant to live on a shelf alone.

Spark in the Dark is part of a bigger vision that connects storytelling, music, and conversation.

Throughout the book, select pages include QR codes that unlock original music turning the story into an immersive experience.

The goal is to let readers feel the emotion behind the moments, not just read about them.

Long-term, this series will expand into school presentations, discussions around confidence and self-belief, and spaces where young people feel seen without being talked down to.

Why This Matters to Me

This book came from a real place.

It’s a reminder to myself that growth doesn’t always look loud, progress isn’t always immediate, and sometimes the most important work is happening long before anyone notices.

Creating Spark in the Dark helped me reconnect with why I create in the first place.

Not to chase outcomes, but to tell the truth as clearly as I can, in whatever form it needs to take.