Winthrop Resident Kate Anslinger Releases Debut Novel “Saving Jason”

Kate Anslinger is “really excited” about the release this week of her first novel, “Saving Jason,” a story about a war veteran who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

“The main character gets in to an accident and ends up in a coma and his ex-wife and current girlfriend are left to pick up the pieces and along the way they discover secrets about his past,” said Anslinger, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served from 1999 to 2003.

“I’m a veteran myself so this is kind of where this novel stems from,” said Anslinge, who hopes to bring more awareness to PTSD through her book. “Having known a lot of veterans with PTSD, that’s what inspired me to write the book.”

Anslinger, whose pen name is EJ Hanagan, is originally from Manchester, New Hampshire. She attended the University of New Hampshire-Manchester and Webster University (St. Louis), receiving a degree in Public Relations and Communications.

Anslinger, 34, and her husband, moved from St. Louis to Boston in 2011 after her husband, Mike Anslinger, a patent attorney, started a new job in the city. They have a 10-month-old daughter, Emily June.

“We rented in Winthrop and we ended up falling in love with Winthrop and buying a home a year later,” said Anslinger.

Her novel, which is being published by Booktrope, was three years in the making. She will be signing copies of her book on Sept. 20 at The Book Depot in Winthrop Center.

“It feels amazing to have my first book published,” said Anslinger, who works in special events at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum.

Anslinger said the book has generated strong emotions among readers.

“Some early readers of the book said there have been a lot of tears while reading it. It’s an emotionally gripping story. My husband really liked the book and thought it was suspenseful.”

 (The book is available on Amazon.com).