Book Blurb & Info
A playful, big-hearted tragicomedy in the Russo/Irving mold, American Corporate chronicles the misadventures of middle-aged Jack Sullivan and his family as they bounce across the country in search of gainful employment, domestic tranquility, and a few people they can trust. It is a story that working parents past, present and future will see as part of their own: the triumphs, the tragedies, the innocent mistakes and the not-so-innocent mistakes, and above all the forgiveness that keeps families together to face another challenge.
Review
Guest Review by Laura
Lee
Harrison's scenes set in the boardrooms were almost like short absurdist plays where the CEO was the king and everyone around him was the sycophant trying to bow to his increasingly illogical demands. Having worked for a corporation myself, I can attest to the reality of this concept. This is why I say it was uncomfortably realistic. The cast of characters in this book were funny, sweet, engaging and maybe a little insane but I really enjoyed all of them and wanted to read more of their exploits. I'd say more, but I don’t want to risk spoilers and you should really read this one for yourself. This was a great outing and well worth the read. Five stars! I hope to read more like this in the future!
Author Interview
Which character do you love to hate?
I think Pierre LeDieu is the most straightforwardly hate-able character in this story. Fortunately his real life doppelgänger is not nearly as much of a jerk.
How long did it take you to complete?
A year to get to the first draft, then 17 years of editing
Where did you get the inspiration for your cover?
From a Richard Russo novel entitled “Straight Man.”
Using only adverbs, describe the writing process for you.
(Shouldn’t I get permission from Stephen King first? I think he’s the standard-bearer for the anti-adverb movement…)
If you could be somebody else for a day who would you choose and why?
Eric Clapton. Because everybody knows he’s God. Or Madonna (sans child).
What do you do when you are not writing?
Drink Cazadores Reposado tequila; make big, fragrant messes in the kitchen; play guitar, sing, dance; paint landscapes; fantasize about playing golf with Scarlett Johansson…
What draws you to this genre?
I’m a fan of sprawling, complex, capacious, Dickensian stories with multiple conflicts involving many characters. At the same time, I’m drawn to stories that depict the best, and worst, of real humans trying to make sense of the world. So, as an imitator of authors I admire, I try to play in the literary fiction sphere.
What book/s are you reading at present?
Sing Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
Just finished The Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
What kind of messages do you try to instill in your writing?
I’d like my readers to walk away with the idea that simply, selflessly helping others is the best medicine for the blues we all deal with every day. A healthy helping of laughter helps as well."
When did you first have a desire to write? How did this desire manifest itself?
From a Richard Russo novel entitled “Straight Man.”
Using only adverbs, describe the writing process for you.
(Shouldn’t I get permission from Stephen King first? I think he’s the standard-bearer for the anti-adverb movement…)
If you could be somebody else for a day who would you choose and why?
Eric Clapton. Because everybody knows he’s God. Or Madonna (sans child).
What do you do when you are not writing?
Drink Cazadores Reposado tequila; make big, fragrant messes in the kitchen; play guitar, sing, dance; paint landscapes; fantasize about playing golf with Scarlett Johansson…
What draws you to this genre?
I’m a fan of sprawling, complex, capacious, Dickensian stories with multiple conflicts involving many characters. At the same time, I’m drawn to stories that depict the best, and worst, of real humans trying to make sense of the world. So, as an imitator of authors I admire, I try to play in the literary fiction sphere.
What book/s are you reading at present?
Sing Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
Just finished The Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
What kind of messages do you try to instill in your writing?
I’d like my readers to walk away with the idea that simply, selflessly helping others is the best medicine for the blues we all deal with every day. A healthy helping of laughter helps as well."
When did you first have a desire to write? How did this desire manifest itself?
I started with creative writing classes in college, but up until my forties music and songwriting were my top priorities. Then I woke up one morning in 1999 with the beginnings of a story in my head, which became my first novel, Hack. I was surprised at how easily the scenes fell together and the words flowed, so I kept at it. After Hack was picked up by a small publisher in 2010 I was encouraged to go back to the study of fiction writing and enrolled in a low-res MFA program. Now that I am semi-retired from the business world, I have more ideas than I have time to write them
What was the first major news story you remember as a child?
Kennedy Assassination! I was eight
Award winning author, Jeb Stewart Harrison is a freelance writer, songwriter, musician and painter in San Rafael, California. After many years as an ad agency copywriter, writer/producer, creative director, and director of marketing communications, Jeb now writes fiction and creative non-fiction, along with commercial works for hire. Jeb’s debut novel, Hack, was published by Harper Davis Publishers in August 2012. In 2015 he received his MFA from Pacific Lutheran University at the tender age of 60. His second novel, The Healing of Howard Brown, won the 2017 Independent Press Award for literary fiction. His third novel, American Corporate, was published in November, 2018. He also records and plays electric bass guitar with the popular instrumental combo The Treble Makers, as well as Bay Area favorites Call Me Bwana. Jeb was born and raised in Kentfield, California, and has lived in Boulder, CO; Missoula, MT; Hollywood, CA; Scottsdale, AZ; Indianapolis, IN; Ridgefield, CT and Stinson Beach, CA.
What was the first major news story you remember as a child?
Kennedy Assassination! I was eight
Author Info
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BabyBingus
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JebdeLimboman
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jebhop/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jshcreativeinc/
~Giveaway~
This giveaway is for the choice 3 print copies or ebook copies of the book , 1 copy per each of 3 winners. Print is available to Canada and the U.S. only but ebook is available worldwide. This giveaway ends on May 31, 2019 at midnight pacific time.
No comments:
Post a Comment