The Earl Kemp Interview, The Introduction To

Recently I was 'talking' with Earl Kemp. The Earl Kemp. (If you're an ignoramus, check Wiki.)

I had exchanged a few emails with him before, confirming and posting a call he'd made, for example; but this time I became bolder...

SPS: Earl, I'm particularly fascinated by the concept of your status as an icon. As a creator of collectibles and as one who knew/knows so many other legends who did the same, I imagine the annoying folks who want copies, contacts, signatures, questions answered... It's a foreign concept for a girl hiding behind an online ID, living in terror of being attached to 'smut' because of the havoc it's already played in my life. Not that I've served any time for my beliefs -- yet.

I won't proclaim to be your biggest fan -- a pop quiz would prove that a lie lol. But your name & works come up again and again in my research of The Big Picture, and I must admit a bit of crush along with some envy... Not that batting lashes ought to sway anyone; nor gushing like an idiot. It's especially lacking in charm when typed. ;)

It really would be a treat to ask a few questions & share your answers -- so much so that I don't mind exposing myself as an idiot in terms of all that is (at least the public life of) Earl Kemp.

I realize it's a bit of a contradiction, me spouting that I imagine the annoyance of people asking you for things while asking for an interview; but I'm only human and have more than a few such pesky problems ;)

Earl: It is a problem. You wouldn't believe what some people ask for and, apparently expect to get, for free, including people who won't even sign their messages or have real IDs.

Not to worry. These days even I envy whoever it was people seem to think I used to be. What a time I must have had once upon a.

SPS: As I said, I'm very interested in your experiences and perceptions, so let's start there... What do most people want from you?

Earl: Hands-on sexual advice. How can I become normal? Invite me to your next regularly scheduled orgy. Send me nude photos of yourself.

SPS: Here I thought you were besieged with hands grabbing at your papers & publications, your (little black) address book, and, like me, digging in your brain for stories... And here you are, with the folks whose hands are out not for stuff, but to get in your pants. Not that I'm surprised, actually; it's what I'm here after. But I had at least hoped I had a more subtle approach.

Earl: Not exactly. After all, I'm pretty much past that kind of stuff these days, knocking on 80 and tired enough to prove it.

SPS: What (aside from this interview, perhaps) is the most obnoxious request?

Earl: Letters from clergymen on church letterheads asking to be fixed up with teenage or preteen boys. Letters from law-enforcement on letterheads asking for fuck flicks...in each case they were referred to the FBI for handling.

SPS: This is one thing people I speak with are surprised to hear about you. Most of them know of you from the sci-fi pages and they seem surprised to hear of ...For Nothing Left To Lose... Personally, I want to join your cult just for those points of view. (Then again, I'm under the impression that your cult has many other benefits.)

Earl: Sure does. Keeps me off the streets and clean and honest.

SPS: When I show folks For Nothing Left To Lose, a few say something such as, "Oh, yeah, well, I guess three months in the clink for obscenity would do that..." but I'm of the impression that it was just these opinions which led you to your work, which led to the nasty time. Am I right, or are those other folks?

Earl: You are right. I don't have to feel like I'm fighting the whole world, at least the fucked up professional politicians who sold our country out to the highest bidders. I can go along with the flow and play total idiot just like the majority of C-average US citizens, especially the ones in charge in D.C.

SPS: I certainly will share my thoughts on this, but I wonder what you think it is that continues to draw people to you?

Earl: Audacity. Admitting to the human condition and denying religious superstitions and myths as life motivations.

To be continued...

All images from Earl Kemp, used with written permission.

Related: Part Two of the interview, Earl Kemp on Science Fiction.