2008-10-05 11:04:45 - Jim, a writer and Emmy-nominated production designer of TV and film (a.o. Bangkok Dangerous and Brokedown Palace), will talk about his work and read from his latest novel 'Chasing Jimi'.

Mom Tri's Boathouse Writer's Night with Jim Newport is the fourth in a series of literary evenings which started with authors Jake Needham, Collin Piprell and Frank Visakay.

James (Jim) Newport www.vampireofsiam.com is a writer and Emmy-nominated production designer of film and television. His film credits include Bangkok Dangerous, Brokedown Palace, The Stepfather and Heart Like A Wheel. In television he

has set the 'look' for many series by designing the pilot episodes of The Lyon's Den, The Shield, The Education of Max Bickford and China Beach. His work on The Piano Lesson for the Hallmark Hall of Fame was nominated for an Emmy in Art Direction. In 2007 he took over the design of the award-winning TV series LOST.

A graduate of Pratt Institute, Newport initially applied his graphic skills to album cover design and was a free-lance rock ‘n' roll photographer in the ‘70's and early ‘80's. In 1982 he joined the legendary British rock group the Animals for their 20 year reunion world tour. He designed their debut LP, stage act, and merchandising, setting sales records in all the major venues they played.

As 'blues shouter' Jimmy Fame, the author's musical alter-ego, Newport performed at the Phuket Blues Festival and other venues in Phuket and Bangkok.

Newport wrote The Vampire of Siam trilogy which includes besides the first novel of the same name, Ramonne: The Return of The Vampire of Siam and The Reckoning: A Tale of The Vampire of Siam.

The author's latest novel Chasing Jimi is a fictional account of a year in Jimi Hendrix's life and was released in May 2008. The author's admiration for Jimi Hendrix, his own magical experiences as a hippy in the great ‘summer of love' and his stint as a touring rock ‘n' roll photographer in the seventies, served as inspiration for the book.

The evening at the Boathouse will include readings from Chasing Jimi and a Q & A session with the author.