A Quick One on The Side - R.J. Ellory

A warm welcome to my guest today, multi-award winning author R.J. Ellory.

Roger Jon Ellory was born in Birmingham, in a hospital that was later demolished. He pleaded not guilty to that one. He began his first novel in 1987 and by 1993 he had some 22 novels written, Several hundred polite and complimentary rejection letters later, he stopped writing for a period of 8 years out of frustration. The main response had been that books based in the US written by an Englishman were a non-starter. In 2001, when working for a freight company in Birmingham, he was shown how to use a computer. Between August 2001 and January 2002, Roger had three novels written. The second of these, 'Candlemoth', was eventually published in 2003 and was short-listed for the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger.
Roger's work ethic is to quite admirable. He usually aims to produce 40k words a month and to have a first draft finished within 3-4 months. When asked about specific genres, Roger's ethos is to produce a good story is more important than aiming for a specific genre. Roger's novel 'A Simple Act of Violence', was the Theakston's Crime Novel of the Year 2010. As well as being a successful author, Roger is a singer/guitarist and can be seen performing with the band 'The Whiskey Poets'.

So here we go, ten quickies for Roger...

Who is your favourite author?
"That is impossible to answer. Of course, I would have to say Annie Prouix."

What would be your favourite book read?
"That is also utterly impossible to answer, but, on-the-spot, if only from the viewpoint that I have read it more times than any other books, it would have to be 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote."

Who is your favourite band/group?
"What is it with the impossible questions? How can you even have a favourite band? Right, just so from the angle that this is one band where everything they have ever recorded is on my iPod or in my physical possession, it would have to be The Gun Club."

What is your most listened to album?
"In  my life, maybe 'The Paul Butterfield Blues Band'. That's the name of the album as well as the band."

What has been the best gig/concert that you have attended?
"The Gun Club at Manchester Hacienda in 1982."

What is your favourite food?
"Really good Cantonese."

What would be your favourite holiday destination?
"You know, I have to be honest and tell you that I have never been on holiday. I tour a great deal and of all the places I have been it would be a choice between New York, Nashville or Austin."

What would be the most autographs you've ever signed in one session?
"Over 900 in St. Maur, France."

Have you ever been mistaken for someone else?
"Yes, I was once mistaken for a handsome and intelligent person."

How often do you get recognised?
"Very rarely. Maybe three or four times in my life. I mean, authors aren't 'known' faces really, are they? How many people could stand behind Stephen King in a supermarket queue, and not even know it was him? There's an old saying: A name well known enough to get a good table at a restaurant, not yet so well-known as to be interrupted during dinner."

Eating at a restaurant near you...maybe.....



My thanks to Roger for being my guest today.
As ever, thank you for reading...