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Chords and Chapters: An Interview with Simon Goodridge, author of Parkour with Guitar

Simon Goodridge 1

Simon Goodridge is a singer/songwriter and first-time author from Fremantle, Western Australia. Active mostly during the 1980s and 1990s, he is seemingly a renaissance man of sorts, thanks to finding his voice again through the written word.

You can buy Parkour with Guitar here.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.


Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

The book title came purely by accident when I was trying to describe the chaos caused onstage by my erstwhile band from the 90s, Spacecake.

Almost all of the responses to the working title were negative, which possibly meant, to me at least, I was on to a winner.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

When I first saw the cover I was blown away. If I saw the book in a bookstore I would pick it up straight away.

When I first held it in my hands I couldn’t quite believe it. I was a songwriter who had never even written a short story, let alone over 30,000 words.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I possibly wanted to write to right some wrongs. Or perceived wrongs, at least.

As a musician I rode the roller coaster that is the music industry (more like a roller derby) as hard and fast as most but came out the other side feeling aggrieved for whatever reasons.

I also noticed that almost all retrospective insights into the late 20th century music scene I played a part in failed to mention my most well-known band.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

The singular most rewarding part of publishing my book is the fact that I am now again, as I always should have been, a creative force to be reckoned with.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

I am playing music again. I’m recording again and my voice is fine. A decade away from the scene has not done me any harm in the health stakes.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

Working with Atmospheric Press has been the best experience I’ve ever had in a creative, collaborative, and organisational sense. I would, will, and am recommending them to all and any budding writers.


You can buy Parkour with Guitar here.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.

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