ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Keith R. Parris began devoting himself to his lifelong passion of writing in 2001. His first endeavor, TORI, was a collection of poems and short stories privately published in 2002 with limited distribution. His next book, THE SERVANTS OF FREEDOM, was independently published in 2004 and reflects his admiration and appreciation for the sacrifices of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. In this novel of 1970s Europe, he uses simple, yet powerful, language to make timeless themes of adversity and courage live in the minds of his readers. This book is available through Amazon.com, other major distribution outlets and a private website.

In 2006, Mr. Parris electronically published REMEMBER, his first complete book of poetry. This poetry is beautifully descriptive and vigorously musical. From the sensibilities of life's most intimate moments to the celebration of life's most festive interactions and from the continuity of social order to the undercurrents of social unrest and even to death itself, these poems embrace an unmistakable heartfelt vitality and sincerity. This work was published through his company, Black Knight Classic, and can be found by clicking here.

PETER'S DREAMS AND OTHERWORLDLY THINGS, the author's latest project, became a concept in the author's mind before the "New Millennium," but its birth was carefully guarded until it could be wonderfully illustrated. This work stands as a creative triumph, delving into the imagination of a young boy and dealing with his growing awareness of self and the challenges of his changing world. The view of the world, however, is colored with a brush that carefully paints a range of perspectives seamlessly into the youthful exploits of our hero. This story will both amuse and reach to the very soul of the reader.

Mr. Parris' writing style reflects his admiration for the literary works of such outstanding nineteenth and twentieth century authors as Ernest Hemingway, Eudora Welty, C. K. Williams and William Wordsworth. His favorite works are The Old Man and the Sea, A Curtain of Green and Repair.

Mr. Parris was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in 1946. His father, a veteran of World War II, made his living in the cotton mills of the South, and his mother, a native of Iowa, traveled to the South while serving as a Civil Servant during the War and remained there with her husband to rear their three children. Mr. Parris graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1969 with Highest Honors and was a Distinguished Military Graduate. He served nearly eight years as a fighter pilot, flying F-4E Phantom II aircraft, in Europe, Asia and the United States. He married Janet K. Baugh of Waco, Texas, in 1974 while serving in the Federal Republic of Germany. They lived in Europe and Asia before moving to San Antonio, Texas, in 1977 after Captain Parris resigned his commission and was honorably discharged. He returned to school and graduated at the top of his class from The University of Texas at San Antonio in 1979 with an MBA Degree. He worked for 21 years in the Gas and Gas Liquids Industry.