A Quick One on The Side - Les Edgerton

A warm welcome to guest author Les Edgerton.

Les was born in Odessa, Texas. He actually grew up in a variety of places, mostly in Freeport, Texas and in and around South Bend, Indiana. After serving in the Navy for 4 years, Les went on a bit of a wild streak. He was sentenced to 2-5 years in Pendleton Reformatory for second-degree burglary. After being granted parole, Les studied at the Indiana University at South Bend, where he was elected Student Body President, was the head of the student athletic association, and was sports editor of the campus newspaper.
After completing his studies, Les admits to having gone on another years-long 'odyssey', which you could describe as colourful. This part of Les' life would fill its own novel. Les began writing seriously and he believes that this set him on a straight life path. Today, he is 'all respectable'.
Les is the author of some 14 books, I think, two of which are about writing fiction. He is known for writing raw, powerful fiction. He has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, an Edgar Allan Poe Award, and his novel 'The Bitch', has recently been nominated for a Spinetingler Award.

So, here we go, take a deep breath, ten quickies for Les.....

Who is your favourite author?
"This is tough! I have about 20-30 writers I'd have to put here that I read everything they write. I don't want to leave anyone out, so I'll pick a dead guy here, who would be Ray Carver."

What would be your favourite book read?
"And this one is easy. 'The Stranger' by Albert Camus."

Who is your favourite band/group/musician?
"The Chipmunks. Close behind, Miles Davis."

What is your most listened to album?
"Easy again! 'Sketches of Spain' by Miles Davis."

What has been the best gig/concert that you have attended?
"James Brown in Bermuda in 1963. My buddy and I were the only white people in the audience and we got mauled, scratched, smacked, trampled by girls running over us to get his cufflinks and other parts of clothing he was throwing into the audience."

What is your favourite food?
"Oysters Rockefeller. Close second: Oysters Bienville."

What would be your favourite holiday destination?
"Bermuda. Lived there for three years and would kill to go back. Made three porno movies there and would like to look up my "co-stars" and see how they've held up over the years..."

What would be the most autographs you've ever signed in one session?
"Ha! I happen to know this one. It set the record at the Little Professor Bookstore. Three hundred and twelve. It was for my first novel, 'The Death of Tarpons', and held the store record until Anne Rice broke it with 376 years later."

Have you ever been mistaken for someone else?
"When I was younger, Jerry Lewis. When I was older and for a long time, Dr. Johnny Fever (Howard Hesseman). Nowadays, as the model for Edvard Munch's "Scream". I did get a jolt a few years ago. They say everyone has a twin and I got to see mine. One day, I picked up a copy of this magazine called 'People' and glanced at the cover and took a double-take. It was like looking in the mirror! Some dude named "Richard Gere". My wife is looking over my shoulder as I bang this out and she's laughing hysterically."

How often do you get recognised?
"Since the photos have come down in the post office, hardly ever. It's been a lifelong effort not to be recognised. When I was in prison, my first job was in Identification and I did what other inmates do when working there. I went to my file and switched photos with a black inmate. Just on the off-chance I escaped so they'd be looking for someone who looked somewhat different...True story."

Here is Les...looking like himself...


My thanks to Les for answering his own quickies and for sharing some of his 'odyssey'.
As ever, many thanks for reading...