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Author Revealed

Samuel Park
Ryan Bakerink

Samuel Park

Samuel Park is an Assistant Professor of English at Columbia College Chicago. He is a graduate of Stanford and the University of Southern California, where he earned his doctorate in English. He is the author of the novella “Shakespeare’s... Read full bio

Author Revealed:
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. Be bold, and mighty forces shall come to your aid
Learn more about Samuel Park
Samuel Park Revealed
About Samuel Park
  • Favorite job:
    Writing and teaching
  • High school and/or college:
    South High, in Torrance, CA; Stanford University
  • Name of your favorite composer or music artist?:
    Nick Bicati, Elba Ramalho
  • Favorite movie:
    A Brief Vacation, by Vittorio De Sica
  • Favorite television show:
    Survivor
Revealing Questions
Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
A. Luck comes from discipline kindness and hard work
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. Be bold, and mighty forces shall come to your aid
Q. How would you describe perfect happiness?
A. Perfect happiness is flipping channels (metaphorically speaking) and landing on your favorite show (metaphorically speaking).
Q. What’s your greatest fear?
A. I don't like letting people down
Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
A. Sao Paulo, Brazil
Q. With whom in history do you most identify?
A. Shakespeare's audience
Q. Which living person do you most admire?
A. Barack Obama
Q. What are your most overused words or phrases?
A. "Oh, wow." "Huh." "Okay."
Q. What do you regret most?
A. I don't really believe in regrets
Q. If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
A. Painting
Q. What is your greatest achievement?
A. So far, I'd say writing This Burns My Heart
Q. What’s your best quality?
A. Listening
Q. What trait is most noticeable about you?
A. Empathy
Q. Who is your favorite fictional hero?
A. Pip, in Great Expectations
Q. Who is your favorite fictional villain?
A. Madame Merle, In Portrait of a Lady
Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
A. It would be Nellie Bly, the pioneer journalist.
Q. What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
A. Teaching
Q. What’s your fantasy profession?
A. Actor
Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
A. Generosity, loyalty, and respect
Q. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
A. Pasta
On Books and Writing
Q. Who are your favorite authors?
A. Michael Cunningham, Curtis Sittenfeld, Ann Patchett, Nami Mun, Sarah Waters, Zadie Smith
Q. What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
A. Prep, by Curtis Sittenfeld; Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen; Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens; The Night Watch, by Sarah Waters; The Hours, by Michael Cunningham
Q. Is there a book you love to reread?
A. Pride and Prejudice
Q. Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
A. Be persistent and never stop trying
Q. What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
A. This made me stay up at night!