Pump Up Your Book Chats with U.L. Harper Author of In Blackness

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U.L. Harper is an after-school program Site Director in Long Beach, California. Over one hundred students attend his program. He previously worked as a corporate manager, and a journalist for a now defunct news agency in Los Alamitos, California. Newspapers are part of his writing background but he also dabbled in poetry. His poetry is published in The Body Politic chapbooks. He is the author of In Blackness, The Flesh Statue and the short story book Guidelines for Rejects. You can visit U.L. at http://ulharper.com/

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

A: Oh, I had one page stories when I was something like twelve years old. I didn’t know they were stories but they were. I did it for fun the same way I would ride my skateboard. I do remember my first published piece. It was this horrible piece of poetry. I love poetry but don’t necessarily like writing it…or reading it for that matter…or listening to it. Some of my best friends are poets.

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

A: Two things are frustrating. One is that people keep telling me, in a number of ways, that if I don’t get with a major publisher my author life is going to suck and I’ll be worthless as a writer. Number two is that they might be right. What’s rewarding is that I still feel like nobody is going to come up with the story I just wrote. Friggin nobody.

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

A: She reads some early, early drafts of some questionable stuff. But for the most part, she just puts up with this awkward lifestyle. But she likes to read so it ultimately works out. Me writing isn’t the issue. Me being a jerk is the issue. Actually, me being proud of being a jerk is a bigger issue. I’m lucky she’s around still, I’ll tell ya. And I’m not that big a jerk. Swear.

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?

A: Vacation? What’s that? I visit family when I get a chance. I’m pretty good at relaxing at home. Traveling kind of makes me upset. Hell, I don’t even like going to the store, so you know the airport is some kind of torture. Vacation is where you go to not stress and be creative—wherever there’s whiskey, I guess, I vacation at the bar.

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

A: Anywhere in the world? One hour? New Zealand. It just seems like a really big and small place, and I like that idea; would love to visit…right now.

Who is your biggest fan?

A: How would I know that? I don’t have any fans that I can think of. That’s why I’m on this virtual book tour; I don’t have any fans. I need some. I’ll ask. Anyone reading this, would you please be my fan, because I don’t have any.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

A: Right where I am right now, in this converted bedroom to office, directly in front of my 32 inch monitor. I write nowhere else.

Do you have any pets?

A: Yes. My dog’s name is Shadow, and when she’s out of my life I don’t know what I’m going to do.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

A: No.

What’s on your to do list today?

A: I’m going to tweet, stop by facebook, write a bunch, read from two different books, go to work, get frustrated, eat, sleep, calm down, complain about just about everything and then read some more.

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?

A: He would die on that island. I’m actually a Tom Hanks fan, but he’s going to die on that island.

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?

A: The book cover. Here’s why. My face will not sell anything ever. It’s just not possible. My old journalism instructor once said I had a radio face. I don’t actually believe that but also don’t believe I’m Denzel Washington-esque either. An excerpt leads you down certain paths and builds you to something but nothing all the way. It’s a teaser, and that’s great. This cover, on the other hand, says everything, at least to me. It’s sad, somehow, and violent and mysterious. It just hits you and says take me or leave me but you have to take a look first. Cover, for sure.

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?

A: I’d thank myself first. The book was all my idea. Then I’d thank friends and family for humoring me through the process, pretending like this author thing might go somewhere. I’d thank all thirty people who bought the book, and then I’d thank the ten people who actually read it. Then I’d look all mean and say something along the lines of “I’m glad I have the genes of both my father and my grandfather, two of the strongest men to influence a young man to make him stubborn enough to do things the right way.” Something like that. Then I’d spit on stage and walk away pumping my fist, the one without the award in it.

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

A: Hey, I loved how it went when I toured for The Flesh Statue so I thought I’d come back for In Blackness. It really does add to my online presence and I need that type of presence because I can’t physically be in most places. I have a job and a lifestyle. The Pump Up Your Book people are simple, keep it easy, and truly save on plenty of leg work. Last time I wound up getting interviews based on the fact, that they had read my book tour interviews.

Thank you for this interview, U.L. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

A: Um, I’m going to need more than luck. Here’s another call for fans, any out there?

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

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