Interview with an Author - Leo X. Robertson
#5 In our Interview with an Author series is Leo X. Robertson, talented filmmaker and author of WEIRD FAUNA OF THE MULTIVERSE and the upcoming JESUS OF SCUMBURG. Check it out!
What’s your background, what compelled you to start writing?
I’m a process engineer by day, so that and writing go hand in hand of course
I started writing after losing my mum, because I needed some sort of outlet, and she as an English teacher loved books, so it seemed fitting. She also would have read everything of mine, so it’s best that she can’t!
What’s are your top three books? Bizarro, or otherwise.
We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver
The Sluts by Dennis Cooper
A Man in Love by Karl Ove Knausgaard
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
The way it feels for you to do this, right now, is how it will always feel to write: as rewarding and confusing. And writing is its own reward, nothing else counts. So enjoy
What sparked the idea for your latest book?
Jesus of Scumburg was one of my first forays into bizarro. I watched Hated, the GG Allin documentary, and somehow connected with the man’s rage and frustration. Jesus is like a surrealist painting of his internal landscape, as I understand it or connect with it.
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
No! I try even to avoid references, as they can be alienating if someone doesn’t know what I’m talking about. Even when my subject matter is at its weirdest, I try to make sure the prose is as inviting to a general audience as possible
What’s brewing? What projects are you working on?
Ooft, so many thing! Just completed work on my latest feature film, “Mr Sleepy”, which I’ll submit to festivals soon, and writing a whole bunch of dark stories . Just having a great time seeing where my imagination goes, as always!
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot?
My two beloved pusses Maria and Phiona I would also choose them as my plus one at parties, list them as my next of kin and leave them my estate!
And, lastly;
What advice would you give for any aspiring bizarro authors?
Community counts for bizarro more than any other genre. Enjoy your new bizarro friends!
