Pump Up Your Book Chats with Singer/Songwriter/Author George Earl Parker

George Earl Parker is an Author, Singer/Songwriter, and an Artist. As director of the short film The Yellow Submarine Sandwich, included in Eric Idle’s pseudo-documentary of a band called the Rutles, Parker received accolades, awards, and a showing at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. His art has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the country, and three of his songs have climbed the European Country Music Association charts. Vampyre Blood-Eight Pints of Trouble is his first novel. He currently lives in California where he continues working on music, and his second book.

You can visit his website at www.georgeearlparker.com.

Thank you for this interview, George Earl.  Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later?  Do you remember your first published piece?

Oh yeah, I entered a writing competition run by Cadbury’s chocolates when I was 9 or10 years old. It was nationwide in England, and I came in second. What can I say? I like chocolate.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

It’s frustrating when you are working away and nobody is paying any attention to you, and it’s rewarding when you release what you’ve done and people are moved by it. That’s the kind of life you are signing up for.

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life?  Do you have support?

I am single. I wouldn’t wish to subject anyone to my work schedule. I like to work in the middle of the night when it’s quiet and there are no disturbances from modern day life.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?  Where do you like to vacation?  Can you tell us briefly about this?

I like to travel, Europe, Hawaii, Spain. All you need is a laptop and a cell phone and you’re at home anywhere these days.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

I would like to go to New Orleans for biscuits and gravy. Then while I’m there I could get a soft shell crab sandwich to go.

Vampyre Blood by George Earl Parker (click on cover to order at Amazon)

Who is your biggest fan?

I have no idea about that kind of thing.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

I like to write in bed.

Do you have any pets?

No.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

I’m recording a song on Saturday.

What’s on your to do list today?

Rehearsal. Interviews. Uploads. Make some money if possible.

Now I’ve got a couple of fun questions for you.  If Tom Hanks, in the movie Cast Away, unearthed a copy of your book, how would that help him find a way off the island?

It would give him the strength and resolve to realize that everything happens within. Outside is only a reflection, and if you see it as bad it will remain bad. But if you change your point of view there is no longer a need to escape from anything.

You have a chance to appear on the hit talent show for authors, American Book Idol, with judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara Dioguardi and the newest addition, Ellen DeGeneres, to determine whether your book will make it to Hollywood and become a big screenplay where you’d make millions of dollars.  What would impress them more – your book cover, an excerpt or your author photo – and why?

It’s a complete package. You need the photograph, the book cover, and the excerpt. Plus I sing too, and there are even songs in the book that The Techno Zombies, Drac’s band plays. So you see, it’s a complete package.

You just got word that your book has received the 2010 NY Times Bestselling Book Award and you have to attend the ceremony to give an acceptance speech.  Anyone who’s anyone will be there and it’s your shot for stardom.  What would you say and who would you thank?

I would have to thank my muse for getting up every night at 2.00AM and dictating these marvels of imagination to me. Alone I am nobody, but with my muse I’m a sleepy guy that turns up at award shows and wonders why he’s there.

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in March/April via a virtual book tour.  Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

It’s the beginning of what is going to happen next. I’ve transitioned from writing to publishing, this tour will probably go on for a long time in many different guises. It’s like hopping a bus to the next destination, except you don’t know where that is, so you trust. Every journey begins with a first step, this is the first step.

Thank you for this interview, George Earl. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

Thanks for virtually having me.

You can visit George Earl Parker’s tour page here.