Eldot Eldot

Eldot, a nom de plume, is a simple cipher: the author’s first initial, followed by a period, spelled phonetically [ L. = Eldot ] Why? Two reasons: in 2011, when his first novel was published, the subject matter was more sensitive and controversial than it is today. The concern was that one or more “conservative” groups might choose to make a fuss about the content. Lest relatives, friends or former colleagues be inconvenienced or victimized, the nom de plume was adopted to serve as a shield. Secondly, the author didn’t want opportunistic individuals in the media to distort what the book was seeking to achieve. In fact, media treatment of the subject was the major motivation to write Julian’s side of the story in the first place.

Four years have gone by; the novels have been well received. All five print books have positive critical reviews. It makes sense to pull back the curtain and let the reader get a peek at the culprit. The potential for controversy still exists, but the extremist groups have lost their clout. It’s harder to be a pioneer nowadays: social media and the cell phone have changed the landscape; the Julian novels are not weakened, but made more topical than ever.

Eldot has lived in the Pacific Northwest for most of his life. In order to dodge the draft and avoid the Viet Nam war, he took an occupational deferment to teach high school Drama and English. The interminable nature of the war and the draft lottery kept him in that occupation so long that he stayed there afterward, having been quite successful. Why change a good thing? The refuge had morphed into a career. He became a local and state leader in his profession. After thirty terrific years as an educator, he retired. Now he’s taken up writing. The novels are not autobiographical.

Leland Alan Hall

Publications:

1960: Emperor Commodus Prompt Book: Use of Masks in Drama

[Honors Thesis, a translation from the Greek, housed at U of O Library]

2011: Little J and Roger [eBook only]

Barr’s Meadow

The Poker Club

The Shooting Gallery

2012: Thunder and Lightning

The Champions

Inside Eldot’s World: a literary gazetteer [eBook only]

2015: You’re in High School Now