Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a writer-artist-musician-singer. As a journalist, I have done interviews with many famous names from the arts and written profiles, essays and reviews for such publications as Starlog, Guitar World, Guitar and Prevue, as well as my hometown newspapers. Although I’ve written three books, this is the first one made available so far.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Jim Shorts. It’s a collection of my stories, poems and drawings compiled over several decades. The pieces were inspired by surrealism and the silly, erratic, delusional and obsessive behaviors of humans.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, I never wear a habit–unusual or otherwise–when writing. Or any other time, for that matter.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I always credit the masters of wordplay–Lewis Carroll, James Joyce, Edward Lear and John Lennon–for influencing my work, but it is, nonetheless, my own style. When I first began writing the pieces many years ago, I sent a few to the renowned Lewis Carroll scholar Donald Rackin, he wrote back, “Thanks for the copies of your work—which were delightful. Your debts to Carroll and Joyce and Lear and Lennon were evident, but your work is nevertheless your own and an accomplishment to be proud of. I congratulate you.”
What are you working on now?
Although I’m trying to promote Jim Shorts, I am always writing or jotting down ideas. I just finished a poem today entitled “Little Johnny Jump-Up”
about a boy who can’t sit down.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve gone into detail about my book and done a self-interview in a couple blogs which can be read at: http://byjimgeorge.wordpress.com/
Do you have any advice for new authors?
No. Since I could be considered a new author, and I’m taking an unconventional approach in publishing as a PDF, I’m in no position to give advice.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t bump into anything.
What are you reading now?
Tarantula by Bob Dylan.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More stories, poems and drawings. My next big project will be a collection of interview/profiles I’ve done with many famous people from the arts, including such legends as Gore Vidal, Muddy Waters, Steve Allen, Jean Shepherd, Carl Perkins, Dick Cavett, Tony Bennett, Willie Dixon and others.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Collected Works of Lewis Carroll, Finnegans Wake by James Joyce, In His Own Write/A Spaniard in the Works by John Lennon and A Book of Nonsense by Edward Lear.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jim George Website
Jim George’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile