The Notorious Nora Novak
Interview By: Ginger Coyote
Nora so graciously sent me copies of her book. Both books were fun reads. I was fascinated by how many friends we had in common. But we had not ever met, so I quickly contacted her about doing this interview.
Punk Globe: Thanks so much for the interview, Nora. I loved both of your books what inspired you to write them?
Nora: Hi Ginger I’m so glad you enjoyed my books. I’ve always been an avid reader and book collector. When my brother’s first novel came out, I was inspired to write one too which was ART DAMAGED. Later my mom was working on her memoir and I decided I should write mine which became LOS FELIZ CONFIDENTIAL. With the 80s resurgence happening, I thought it would be fun to cover that exhilarating decade as a follow-up.
Punk Globe: Los Felix deals with your youth I was impressed you portrayed Honey Bruce in a play I met Honey in her latter years in the Bay Area. Did you enjoy Valerie Perrine in the film ‘Lenny’?
Nora: LENNY was a college production and we were rehearsing at the same time the movie came out and of course, the cast was very excited to see it. I thought Valerie was fabulous, she did a great job with her “unvarnished sensuality” to quote Robert Ebert.
Punk Globe: Tell us about your Bestie Dee. Did she really look a lot like Harlow?
Nora: Dee did kind of resemble her. She really was a modern-day Harlow, with her style, wit, glamour, and outrageous humor. She was the life of the party, I still miss her.
Punk Globe: You write about your first bisexual experience tell us about that.
Nora: My first experience was actually before that with a cute, sexy French girl I lived with in Cannes. I should have written that story in the Los Feliz book.
Punk Globe: Did you enjoy your time in San Francisco with The Cockettes?
Nora: I had a great time in San Francisco with all my new gay friends hanging out with the Cockettes and watching their crazy shows.
Punk Globe: From reading your book you got to see all the bands. Any band that you missed?
Nora: I saw so many bands but somehow I missed seeing the White Trash Debutantes, so, yes I still need to experience your band.
Punk Globe: You write about various relationships tell us more.
Nora: Relationships, sure I had others, mostly fast, furious, and short-lived.
Punk Globe: You write about an old pal Derf Scratch from Fear. I really liked Fred may he Rest In Paradise. Tell us more how long was he in your life?
Nora: Derf and I had a creative, fun, kind of wild, and tumultuous relationship on and off for a few years.
Punk Globe: You wrote about meeting Ray Davies do tell
Nora: My girlfriend was dating Ray at the time so we met up with him at the Hyatt House on Sunset and he took us to see the Kinks at the forum. Sir Ray was very charming, a lovely man.
Punk Globe: You bring up Motorcycle Boy, Rock City Angels, and The Cathouse tell the readers more
Nora: I loved Motorcycle Boy and I just went to see them at the Whiskey, Francois is still rockin’! I had a great time singing back up for the Rock City Angels and partying with the girls and the rest of the band. i was planning a trip to Memphis to visit the drummer Ringo Jackie Jukes who has been doing rock’ n’ roll tours there and he was working on a book about the band titled BEYOND BABYLON but he just recently died very tragically. I hope that someone can finish his book.
Punk Globe: Are you planning on a third book? Tell us about the future.
Nora: They say ‘Write what you know’ and I did so now I would love to write another book but something different, maybe a new noir style of pulp fiction featuring a no-holds-barred wayward blonde. I’ll be working on new some art, which could be a continuation of my Femme Fatale collection featuring drag queens. I’m not sure yet.
Punk Globe: Describe yourself in three words
Nora: Just three words? Artistic, adventurous, glamazon.
Punk Globe: Any Internet addresses you would like to share with the readers?
Nora: Yes readers please go to my website noranovak009.com check out my art and books
Punk Globe: Any last words for Punk Globe readers?
Nora: Just three words? Artistic, adventurous, glamazon.
Punk Globe: Any Internet addresses you would like to share with the readers?
Nora: Yes readers please go to my website noranovak.com check out my art and books
Punk Globe: Any last words for Punk Globe readers?
Nora: I have a book signing coming up at Tequila’s MODApunk gallery on Melrose Ave in Hollywood. Thank you, Ginger !!!! Punk Globe Rules!!