Nurture Book Tour – Under The Neon Sky: A Las Vegas Doorman’s Story + Giveaway

Author Bio:

Jay Rankin was born in Los Angeles, but he grew up in Hollywood, Ca. He has held some amazing jobs. He worked his way through college inside the locked unit of a psychiatric hospital, was a Los Angeles County Probation Officer, worked at several detention camps, was a bouncer at a country and western nightclub in Los Angeles and built custom homes in Connecticut and Las Vegas. Jay studied and received a Master’s degree in clinical psychology. He now lives in Los Angeles and where he is raising his 9-year-old son.

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I’d like to welcome author Jay Rankin to Juniper Grove today! Jay has graciously allowed me to interview him as part of his Nurture Virtual Book Tour. Check out his interview below:

Without giving too much away, can you tell us what Under The Neon Sky: A Las Vegas Doorman’s Story is about?

This book is a memoir based on my life and experiences working as the doorman at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.

I know this book is based on your real life experiences. About how long were you working in Las Vegas, gathering the information that went into the making of this book?

I worked about 6 years as the doorman at the MGM. Prior to that I had been involved in Vegas real estate and had a local TV show based on the new businesses coming into Las Vegas in the early nineties.

I’ve never been to Las Vegas, but I would imagine that there is plenty of drama and excitement everywhere you turn. Did you ever get caught up in the moment or were you just an outsider looking in?

There were times when I was very caught up in the sub culture of Las Vegas. I had some pretty wild times. When I went to work, it was pretty easy for me to identify with many of the guests. I sometimes used some of my experiences to help deal with some wild guests. I never felt like an outsider. But I did feel I was watching and hearing what was going on around me. I felt like I was in the middle of an alcohol hurricane.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

After reading my book your perspective on Las Vegas will be different.

Theoretically, would you say that writing a memoir or book based on true experiences is easier or more difficult than writing Fiction?

I’m not sure because I’ve never written Fiction but the words for my story flowed out of me because I lived it. The difficulty came in the editing. I now have the deepest respect for a well-edited story. It’s the difference between something sloppy and something brilliant.

Did you ever reach a point while writing your book where you were torn between wanting to add juicy details but hesitant because of the possible effects those details might have on someone else?

Absolutely. Many of the people I wrote about were still in Las Vegas. I knew they were going to eventually read the book. I didn’t want to hurt anyone. It was a constant challenge walking that line of knowing I might lose a relationship because of what I wrote.

What does your family think of your book?

I didn’t receive much support writing my book, my parents were the exception. They were proud of their son and passed copies out to all their friends. Considering they were all in their eighties, I felt honored.

What is the last book you read?

Andrew J. McLean wrote a book titled, The Las Vegas Chronicles. It’s about the history, the real history of Las Vegas, really interesting.

Do you have any writing projects you are currently working on?

I’m always writing something including a pilot based on my book. I’m also a single dad to my 9-year-old son so it’s a challenge.

What is your least favorite movie that came from a book?

If comic books count, The Green Lantern. My son made me see it.

How many books do you read a week/month?

It takes me weeks to read one book. I read every night to my son.

If you could have dinner with 1 person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

I would like to have dinner with Woody Allen, Jacques Cousteau, and Lenard Bernstein all in the same room. They were my heroes but if I had to pick one person it would be Bill Clinton.

If you could travel into the past or future, where would you go and why?

I would like to go into the past to try to tell people what was coming if they didn’t change their ways. My destination would be the White House and congress. I would also meet with some CEO’s of banks and Wall Street.

What does the word success mean to you?

Success to me is feeling happy with your world. Living and learning wisdom each day. Not hurting people. Being productive.

If you had to have one word or phrase written on your forehead for an entire week, what would it be?

Intense

If you had to trade lives with someone for an entire week, who would you trade with? Keep in mind that they would be living your life as well.

The president of the United States.

What is the best advice anyone has ever given to you?

“Take deep breaths.”

One food you would never eat?

Canned Lima Beans.

Thank you Jay for that amazing interview!

Under The Neon Sky: A Las Vegas Doorman’s Story by Jay Rankin

Synopsis:

Under The Neon Sky is a gripping, true story about a Las Vegas doorman who works the graveyard shift at one of the major hotels on the Strip. The sights, smells, and page popping characters are unforgettable as we take a journey that will transform how we used to envision the city that never sleeps. We watch as this doorman begins to emotionally break and wonder if he will become broken seeing his friends, his wife, hotel guests, and himself cross too many boundaries in this riveting, page turning story.

Under The Neon Sky: A Las Vegas Doorman’s Story
Author: Jay Rankin
Genre: Non-Fiction – Autobiography/Memoir
Published by: Jay Rankin (October 10, 2009)
Age Recommendation: 15+ For Mild Sexual Content & Mature Language
Format: Hardcover, Perfect Paperback & eBook
ISBN13: 978-0984210916
Number of pages: 268

Be sure to check back on November 15th to read my review of Under The Neon Sky: A Las Vegas Doorman’s Story!

You can find a complete list of tour stops HERE but here are the next few in line:

• November 2nd – Krystal L. @ Live To Read
• November 3rd – Beverly G. @ Everyone Loves A SiNner
• November 4th – Lisa Ma. @ A Casual Reader’s Blog 

Giveaway Time!

One lucky reader will win an eBook copy of Under The Neon Sky: A Las Vegas Doorman’s Story by Jay Rankin! Giveaway is international and ends at 11:59PM EST on November 18th, 2011.

*GIVEAWAY CLOSED*

Find and follow Jay Rankin:

Author Website
Twitter – Under the Neon Sky & Jay Rankin
Goodreads
Facebook Page

Buy the book at:

Amazon.com
Amazon.ca
Amazon.co.uk
Barnes & Noble

Happy Reading,

Jaidis