Interview with Cover Model Jason Aaron Baca (And Photos!)

Exclusive Interview with Cover Model Jason Aaron Baca
Meet Jason, the star of well over 100 romance novel covers (and counting)!

Photo of Jason by Norman Sinanian
The Basics…

Hometown: Los Gatos, California
Star sign: Libra
About Modeling…

Photo of Jason by Craig Williams
R: How long have you been modeling?
J:  I’ve been modeling since 1997. Modeling for romance novels since 2009.
R: Wow, four years of cover modeling and you’ve got a lot to show for it. Over 100 covers and counting. Congratulations!
What’s your favorite thing about being a cover model?
J: Well it is really gratifying to be on these novels. When readers dive into these books they build that character in their mind’s eye.  Then they look at the person on the cover. It’s almost as if I become part of their dream. It is the most warming experience to think about.
R: Yes, I think readers definitely associate the models on the covers of books with the heroes within.
Do you have a least-favorite thing about modeling?

Photo of Jason and female model by Erwin Layaoen
J:  When they crop my head off the cover. That’s like staring in Star Wars and then people ask “well who’s your character?” and you say “Chewy” L  A nice body opens doors, but a good looking face to go with it, tears off the hinges! I want that exposed too!
R: I can imagine that that would be frustrating!
Speaking of how you’re shown on covers, do you have a favorite type of romance novel hero you enjoy portraying?
J: No I don’t. I have never really been the same character twice. I guess you can say I’d love to be a bad guy in one.  But I would say that I love being the good guy too. It’s not too often where they’ll put the bad guy on the cover. Unless he’s doing something badly impressive.
R: Being the bad guy – now that’s interesting. Readers might like the bad guy more if they used a handsome model to portray him on the book cover like they do the heroes. LOL
Do you have a favorite book cover that you’ve appeared on? If so, what is it?
J: I have several out that are my favorites. One that always seems to stick out in my mind is by N.J. Walters titled Legacy Found. It’s really eye catching.  Almost looks like it should be in an art gallery for sale.
R: I looked up the cover for Legacy Found and can see why you like that one so much. I love covers that combine a scenic nature background with a model in the foreground.

Now for the funny stuff… Do you have any amusing stories about modeling / being a model? If so, we’d love to hear!
J: Yes there are a bunch of great stories. One time at band camp…  haha… no it’s not that one.. J  The main funny story was the time they had me model out on a field where there was an old rusty tractor. Little did I know it at the time but I was about to jump onto an active bee hive. So I climbed up on the tractor and suddenly the buzzing came from under the hood… Out came a billion bad bumble bee’s! Man we all ran so fast we could have been Bolt in the Olympics!
R: I can sympathize – I hate being near bees. They always seem to be attracted to me over everyone else for some reason! It’s a curse… LOL
And speaking of photo shoots, it must take a lot of working out to stay in perfect shape for cover modeling – what’s your workout routine like?
J: Well thanks. We can always look better, be fitter. I strive to maintain a very healthy young looking body. Through a rigorous early morning and evening workout I have achieved this. I make sure to workout every single day that I’m alive for 1 hour. If its at my local health club I avoid conversation. People will often come up to me and ask what I do for certain exercises. Usually I just tell them to just watch me and mirror what I do that way I don’t have to have this big drawn out talk.
R: Sounds like a plan that’s been working out well for you. I’m so glad I don’t have to work out early in the morning to be a romance writer. I don’t think I’d be very productive. LOL

Photo of Jason by Mark Jenkins
On a more personal note…
R: What’s your favorite book (to read)?
J: Tony Robbins’ Unlimited Power & Arnold’s Fitness Encyclopedia.
R: Have you ever read a romance novel?
J: Absolutely. Quite a few actually!
R: That’s awesome. I’ve always wondered if cover models ever get curious and read any of the books they’re on.
What about movies – do you have a favorite?
J: For crying movies – “Terms Of Endearment” For Laughing movies “Dumb & Dumber” (1994) for adventure movies – Gladiator, Rocky IV, & Clash of the Titans original.
R: The original Dumb & Dumber is one of my favorite funny movies too. LOL I’ve been watching it since I was a kid. Love Jim Carrey!
Do you have any hobbies?
J: Working Out, Working Out & Working Out… And did I say Working Out?
R: I guess that’s not surprising!
Do you play / participate in any sports? If so, what are they?
J: Used to. I played in high school and college baseball. Those days be gone forever… I should just let em go…
R: Well, you certainly look as if you’re in good enough shape to give any baseball player a run for his money!
Besides modeling, what else are you passionate about?
J: I’m passionate about traveling and the great outdoors. I love animals and have a soft spot for fluffy soft animals.
R: Animals – a great thing to be passionate about! I know I and many of my readers feel the same way.
What’s your idea of the perfect, romantic date?
J: I’m the kind of person that likes the simple things in life. I don’t like doing 7 things in the day. I like to do 1. Decide… and then do it. If I had to choose one place, it would be Maui!
R: Sounds like a great location.
Tell us a fact about you that we’d never guess!
J: That I saw a UFO with my own two eyes back in 2008. Before that I never believed in that sort of thing, but after seeing what I saw…. My perception about it all changed significantly.
R: That’s my favorite answer of the whole interview. I feel like I saved the best question for last … well, second to last! LOL I’ve got one more…
The new year is almost here! What are your plans and hopes for 2013?
J: I can’t share ALL my goals but I can say that it will be a big year for me in 2013 with the book covers. I can feel it and I can’t wait. I’m hungry for covers!
R: Sounds great! I hope you find yourself on lots of stunning new covers in 2013. Thank you very much for participating in this interview!
To see dozen more photos of Jason, be sure to visit his website at…
http://jasonaaronbaca.deviantart.com/

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