osted on October 23, 2009
Filed Under Author Interview | 320 Comments
When I formally requested an interview with the author, Bob Smith, I had no idea what to expect. I knew that he was an excellent writer and I figured he probably had a good sense of humor, but I had no idea that the author of Selfish and Perverse was, in fact, a world-class mensch. Not only did he grant me an interview within a week of my request, he spent over an hour with me at my apartment in Chelsea.
He calls Armistead Maupin an influence. Also: Ronald Firbank, Oscar Wilde, Evelyn Waugh and Joe Orton. Interestingly, he considers Dawn Powell and Barbara Pym to be strong influences as well. And he calls Stephen McCauley, “… one of the most under-rated writers today–gay or straight.”
Mr. Smith talks about what it was like writing for MADtv. Why it took him six years to write Selfish and Perverse. Why, “Alaskans are the coolest people.” And why his new novel will be significantly shorter than his first. It’s a long interview. That’s why I have posted it at my sister website: QueerReader.Blogspot.com.
10/23/09