Parker At-a-Glance
Latest book: The Renegades
Lives in: Southern California (location withheld to discourage groupies, stalkers and paparazzi)
Used to be: A janitor
Favorite restaurant: Amigo's on Hwy 395
Website: www.tjeffersonparker.com
T. Jefferson Parker was born in Los Angeles and has lived all of his life in Southern California. Those who don't call him Mr. Parker, call him Jeff. The "T" is silent because, in fact, it's simply a letter of the alphabet. Jeff's mom claimed the T would look better on the door of the President. Good thing for us he prefers writing novels to dabbling in politics. Jeff Parker was educated in public schools in Orange County, and took a bachelor's degree in English from the University of California, Irvine, in 1976. He was honored in 1992 as the Distinguished Alumnus.
His writing career began in 1978, as a cub reporter on the weekly newspaper, The Newport Ensign. After covering police, city hall and cultural stories for the Ensign, Parker moved on to the Daily Pilot newspaper, where he won three Orange County Press Club awards for his articles. All the while he was tucking away stories and information that he would use in his first book.
Parker's first novel, Laguna Heat, written on evenings and weekends while he worked as a journalist, was published to rave reviews and made into an HBO movie starring Harry Hamlin, Jason Robards and Rip Torn. The paperback made The New York Times Bestseller list in 1986.
Parker's following novels—all dealing with crime, life and death in sunny Southern California—were published to rave reviews and appeared on many bestseller lists. His writing has been called "potent and irresistible" (L.A. Times) and "resonant, literate and powerful" (Kirkus). The New York Times wrote that "T. Jefferson Parker is a powerhouse writer." Writing in the Washington Post, reviewer Carolyn See called The Triggerman's Dance "a masterpiece." Where Serpents Lie and The Blue Hour appeared for five weeks on the L.A. Times bestseller list. Red Light and Silent Joe made number one on that list in May of 2000 and 2001, respectively and Silent Joe went on to win the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Award for Best Novel and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Mystery/Thriller. Cold Pursuit was named Novel of the Year by the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association. California Girls won Jeff his second Best Novel Edgar.
When not working on his books, Parker spends his time with his family, hiking, hunting and fishing, and haunting the public tennis courts. He enjoys diving, snorkeling, and travel. He escapes to a trailer in the desert in the spring and fall, to hike the country and not answer telephones.
SoCal Book Scene Exclusive (Mini) Interview:
SCBS: What did you do before you “officially” became an author?
TJP: I was a boxboy, a janitor, a night clerk at a veterinary hospital, a dishwasher, a waiter, a reporter and a technical writer. The hardest was being a waiter because you have to do so many things at once. The best was being a reporter because you learn how the world works and I got a movie pass that got me and three friends into movies for free.
SCBS: How do you spend your weekends?
TJP: It's family time – basketball games and taekwondo and tennis, then maybe some home improvement and gardening. We planted twenty-five pounds of wildflower seeds this weekend, right after the rain. Then we rolled over the field with a lawn roller, which was so heavy it took two people to roll it back and forth. I read the papers and take it easy. During the week I get up early to write so on the weekends I relax mostly.
SCBS: What’s your favorite restaurant in Southern California?
TJP: Wow, what a question. Well, we eat at Rosa's in Fallbrook the most, at least once a week. Fantastic ceviche and rellenos, outstanding food. I've spent hours at Hapi Sushi in Laguna and Sushi on the Rock in La Jolla. Does Bishop count as SoCal? If so, the Amigo's right there on Hwy 395 is unbelievably good.
Available now at your favorite local Southern California independent bookstore:
