Author, filmmaker, and musician Erik Quisling wrote and illustrated his first book, The Angry Clam, shortly after graduating from UCLA. Quickly selling out at a number of specialty bookstores in Los Angeles and captivating a devoted readership via word of mouth, this compact allegorical tale established Quisling as a distinctive new voice and attracted the interest of major publishers. Released nationally by Warner Books in 1998, The Angry Clam’s unique blend of introspective humor and fanciful artwork drew comparisons to the work of Richard Bach, Shel Silverstein, and Gary Larsen.

Quisling later wrote two companion stories, Adventures of Glen in My Stone Garden and Grant’s Tomb. He has authorized Upaya House to re-release the complete trilogy in a single volume entitled Fables from the Mud.

In his capacities as filmmaker, Quisling produced the documentary Welcome to the Rainbow, a definitive filmic portrait of the three most legendary nightclubs in Los Angeles: the Whisky, the Roxy, and the Rainbow Bar & Grill. Featuring rock heavyweights Ozzy Osbourne, Robbie Krieger, Lemmy Kilmister, and more, the film premiered at a lavish screening in Los Angeles in January of 2000.

Three years later, Quisling co-authored a book expanding on the documentary’s content. Straight Whisky: A Living History of Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll on the Sunset Strip was published in 2003 to praise from such diverse sources as Rolling Stone, Library Journal, and New Music Express. It continues to be recognized by critics and aficionados alike as a seminal work on the subject matter.

Quisling has recently composed and recorded a collection of country songs. His album Forever and Tonight will be released in late 2011.