Interview with Simon Majumdar
Posted by Simon & Schuster on October 6, 2009Quick Start
SS: How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
SM: Eating and capturing it in words and pictures
SS: What is your motto or maxim?
SM: Go Everywhere, Eat Everything
What Readers want to know...
SS: How would you describe perfect happiness?
SM: A T-bone, char on the outside, rare on the inside and an unfeasibly large martini
SS: What’s your greatest fear?
SM: That someone will make me go back to my old job
SS: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
SM: The Philippines
SS: Which living person do you most admire?
SM: Anyone who displays generosity and generosity of spirit
SS: What are your most overused words or phrases?
SM: "Love" and one far too rude to use here
SS: What do you regret most?
SM: Not doing what I do now much sooner in life
SS: If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
SM: I always wanted to play the harpsichord but we could never fit one in our front room
SS: What is your greatest achievement?
SM: That my mother was and my father is proud of me
SS: What’s your greatest flaw?
SM: Not suffering fools at all
SS: What’s your best quality?
SM: See above
SS: If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
SM: I always wanted to be David Niven to see how it felt to be a gentleman
SS: What trait is most noticeable about you?
SM: Enthusiasm
SS: Who is your favorite fictional hero?
SM: Biggles
SS: Who is your favorite fictional villain?
SM: Count Fosco (The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins)
SS: If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
SM: Robin Hood (yes he probably did exist) I'd say "Green? Really?"
SS: What is your biggest pet peeve?
SM: Lack of generosity
SS: What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
SM: Meeting quirky characters in the food business
SS: What’s your fantasy profession?
SM: Chairman of Rotherham Utd soccer club
SS: What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
SM: Honesty, generosity and a desire to feed me
SS: If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
SM: A Melton Mowbray Pork Pie
SS: What are your 5 favorite songs?
SM: Close Watch by John Cale, Complete Control by The Clash, 4th of July Aimee Mann, Misunderstood by Richard Thompson, It's Different For Girls by Joe Jackson
Questions About Books and Writing
SS: Who are your favorite authors?
SM: Robertson Davies Robert B Parker Peter Carey
SS: What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
SM: 5) The Dice Man 4) Catch 22 3) Electric Kool Aid Acid Test 2) The Picture of Dorian Grey 1) Rebel Angels
SS: Is there a book you love to reread?
SM: The Moon's A Ballon
SS: Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
SM: If you want to be a writer, write.
SS: What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
SM: you get paid for this?
General Questions
SS: What is your birthdate?
SM: 12/1
SS: What were your previous occupations?
SM: Book publisher
SS: What was/is your favorite job?
SM: my current position in life is what I was always meant to be and do
SS: Where did you go to high school and/or college?
SM: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, U.K
SS: Name of your favorite composer or music artist?
SM: Bach ( Classical) Frank Zappa (Popular)
SS: What is your favorite movie?
SM: A Matter of Life and Death with David Niven
SS: What is your favorite television show?
SM: The Larry Sanders Show
Get more on Simon Majumdar at SimonandSchuster.com