I am beyond delighted to welcome my friend Brian Sibley to the interview chair today. Brian is a British broadcaster, writer, Disney historian, Tolkien expert, C.S. Lewis expert, many other authors expert, fabulous raconteur, creative blogger, the list “goes ever on and on.” He has written numerous books and radio dramatizations, he has been a presenter for both BBC radio and television, he has interviewed many of the luminaries in the writing and acting world, he has become friends with the most amazing people (for instance, Ray Bradbury, to name but one). You will find Brian on the extras of several Disney DVDs/Blu-rays as well, including Pinocchio, 101 Dalmatians, and Snow White. (Note: those links are to the UK versions.) To read a full (and wonderfully written) autobiography on one of his blogs, go to “My Life and Welcome To It” at Brian Sibley: The Works. For the stories behind his books, see “Booked Up: Stories Behind Books.” Get an idea of the breadth of scope of his career at Wikipedia. I first encountered Brian in one of those deliciously serendipitous happenstances that occur on the internet. I was googling a quintessentially English phrase, and came upon an instance in which the phrase had been used by someone in an interview Brian blogged about. I read his blog post and was immediately entranced, and commented even though the post was a year or two old at the time. Brian followed the link to my blog and commented there, and from those simple beginnings, a friendship was formed. A few years, many blog comments and emails later, two friends and I met Brian and had a delightful lunch with him at the Dorchester Hotel in London last July. For three hours we talked as if we’d known each other all our lives. (A picture of that lunch gathering is past the “read more” line.) Join me now, as I interview Brian Sibley. I’m quite sure you’ll be as entranced as I was by this multi-talented, absolutely delightful man.
