TLO Member Interview: Spotbowserfido2

TLO Member Interview: Spotbowserfido2
Conducted by Phillip Stecco


1) How did you first encounter the work of Thomas Ligotti?

To make a long and traumatic story short, I emigrated from Sweden to the United States a few years ago when I was adopted by G. S. Carnivals who lives in the mitten-shaped state of Michigan. I soon discovered that Mr. Carnivals has quite an impressive collection of books and magazines. I was attracted by the cover of The Nightmare Factory, its deep blue and touches of blood red. I started with "The Frolic" and have never looked back.


2) What are some of your favorite works by Mr. Ligotti?

I really like the puppets and mannikins in his work. "The Clown Puppet" and "Dream of a Mannikin" are superb. The tableau mort in "Mad Night of Atonement" is a splendid image I will not forget until senility sets in. "The Real Wolf" is my favorite story which has not appeared in one of the author's collections.


3) What other writers do you enjoy reading?

H. P. Lovecraft ("The Hound"), Frank Belknap Long ("The Hounds of Tindalos"), Franz Kafka, Lewis Padgett, Thomas Pynchon, Jim Thompson, Harlan Ellison, J. G. Ballard, Philip K. Dick, Robert Silverberg, Barry N. Malzberg, Jack Vance, C. M. Kornbluth, Avram Davidson, Cordwainer Smith, Thomas M. Disch, John Sladek, R. A. Lafferty, Alfred Bester, Brian W. Aldiss, Richard Matheson, Damon Knight, Clark Ashton Smith, Frederik Pohl, Algis Budrys, Cornell Woolrich, and Albert Payson Terhune. I discover new authors constantly.


4) Do you have any favorite singers or musicians?

Myself, of course. Although I could not sing my way out of a paper bag, I continually compose and perform music. Heavily influenced by the ethnic music of continental Europe, I have written a handful of dark ambient polka and flamenco operas. None have been formally staged, but I keep my forelegs crossed.


5) Do you have any favorite artists in the visual media?

Yes. The person who first drew the group of dogs playing poker.


6) What are some of your favorite movies?

Bladerunner, Runaway Train, Old Yeller, as well as Lassie Come Home and its sequels.


7) Do you watch television?

Rarely, but I enjoy reruns of Lassie when I can catch them. I have heard tales of The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin and The Littlest Hobo, but have yet to see any of the ancient episodes.


8) What do you enjoy eating?

Mainly meat nonsense. I also enjoy eating Milk-Bones (but not green ones) and grilled cheese sandwiches.


9) Do you have any odd hobbies or collecting fetishes?

Kleptomania, I fear. I think that I may account for some of the books and magazines that G. S. just can't seem to find from time to time in his cluttered house. [Aha! -- GSC]


10) What recreational activities do you enjoy?

Barking at strangers. It's just a cheap thrill, but it makes me feel so canine and rabid and dangerous.


11) So many of our lives are filled with the day-to-day anxiety of existence. Have you personally discovered any ways to relieve stress?

I masticate.


12) Life?

They say it's a dog's life, but it isn't. Believe me.


13) Death?

The end of the first of the nine lives I will never have a chance at as a cat.


14) Work?

Flipping burgers and frying eggs. Cooks rarely get tips, truth be told. And musically, making the club scene in Mississippi is like finding gold in a No. 2 lead pencil.


15) Do you have any interesting work anecdotes to relate?

"Waitress, there's a dog in my soup!"


16) What is your earliest childhood memory?

Tussling with my siblings for a place at the dog dish.


17) What is your fondest childhood memory?

Either chasing my tail or mangling a pink bunny slipper with my teeth. If I remember correctly, it was a left slipper and looked like this:

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18) Who has been the most influential person in your life?

There are two. Knud Swensen, my first teacher and later my guide on my trip to Antarctica. Unfortunately, Knud perished among the Mountains of Madness. I miss him. And I cannot thank G. S. Carnivals enough for his support and books and magazines.


19) Do you have a special plan for this world?

I wish to devise a way in which to convey three wags of the tail to everyone in the world simultaneously.


20) What else should we know about you?

My bark is worse than my bite. Woof woof!