Q&A with Phil Edwards
Phil Edwards is the author of “Fake Science 101: A Less Than Factual Guide to Our Amazing World,” a textbook exploring science without the burden of actual information. It’s a product of the Fake Science website. In the course of running the site, Phil has tweeted with astronomers, offended biologists and learned almost nothing. In addition to “Fake Science 101,” Phil is also the coauthor of “Dumbemployed,” a humor book based on the website of the same name. Completing his trilogy of Internet-born books, his e-book mashup, “Snooki In Wonderland,” became a viral hit by disgracing the legacy of Lewis Carroll.
What are the best books you’ve read recently?
For a fake textbook writer, I have a very grave book list. Right now, I’m reading Richard Price’s “The Wanderers,” which is about a hormonal Bronx gang, and it’s a good fictional contrast to Sudhir Venkatesh’s fascinating “Gang Leader For A Day.” In non gang-related reading, I enjoyed Steven Levy’s well-reported “In The Plex,” which peeks into less-gritty life at Google.
What was your favorite book as a child?
My favorite book as a child was “Danny, the Champion of the World” by Roald Dahl. I thought it was really moving and I was fascinated by knocking out birds with tranquilizers.
Why do you enjoy attending book festivals, either as a presenter or audience member?
I love book festivals for the fascinating mix of presenters. You can find thoroughly reported nonfiction, graphic novels, and amazing thrillers all within a football field’s length of each other. Seeing one type of writing makes you think about others in a new way.
Have you been to the D.C. area before? If so, what is your favorite thing about it?
I actually haven’t! I’m looking forward to exploring and also enjoying the climate (I’m sure Chicago, where I’m coming from, will still be 30 degrees in May).
What is the most difficult, or challenging, aspect of being a writer?
I think the toughest part for me is being alone for most of the day, since you start to get a little stir crazy. As a result, when I talk to my first real person for the day, I act a little like a lost puppy.