|  Waide Aaron Riddle was born on August 15, 1963 in Kingsville, Texas. He was raised in Houston. He now resides in the Los Angeles area.
As a young child, Waide was an extremely slow learner. Academically, he often times made average to below average grades and many times a number of 'F's' would grace his report cards. He failed Kindergarten and First Grade and was nearly put back in the 3rd Grade until his mother and grandmother confronted the school principle- what they said to her still remains a mystery to Waide today- and he was quietly eased into the 4th Grade.
There was two subjects of learning that Waide did ace, though. He soared in spelling and creative writing. So, naturally his teachers urged him to pursue writing as a career. But, like most kids, Waide thought he knew it all and all he wanted to do was go to Hollywood to get into the movie business.
STUPID IDEA WAIDE!
The prospect of being a writer quickly was dismissed.
Fast forward to 1995. It was a low period in Waide's life; depression, unemployment, eviction and a death of a good friend. He sat in a coffee shop in West Hollywood, California on a rainy spring day. He took out a pen and a piece of paper and started to write... and write...and write...
His first poem won the 1996 National Author's Registry: Honorable Mention and the N.A.R.- President's Award 1997. That same year Waide became the recipient of the Certificate of Achievement: Excellence In Poetry from the prestigious Amherst Foundation of Boston and in 2002 he won 3rd Place in the California State Poetry Society Poetry Competition.
Many of his poems are in the permanent collections of the Simon Weisenthal Museum/ The Museum Of Tolerance in Beverly Hills.
Waide self- published his first volume of poetry in 1999 entitled "All- American Texan" and followed that up in 2002 with the critically acclaimed children's ghost story, "The Chocolate Man: A Children's Horror Tale".
Alyson Books in Los Angeles published his short story, "Lovers Morning Hold", in the anthology, " Best Gay Love Stories 2005". This was Mr. Riddles first bona fide literary sale.
He nailed his second lit sale and professional writing gig with Shout Magazine (www.shouttexas.com) in December of 2005. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Shout gave Waide the cover story assignment, writing a profile story on country music singer Billy Currington. The issue was a success and he continues to contribute to the magazine.
In 2006, "The Chocolate Man" expanded into new educational territories in Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County libraries and public schools. As word of mouth spread rapidly, Waide decided to add more dark ambiance to the already frightening children's tale by bringing in Special Effects Sound Master and Los Angeles DJ, Rick Dominguez. Rick would provide macabre sound effects and composition to Ron Geren's theatrical read. This ideal 3- some team, Waide, Ron and Rick, was such a success, that Mr. Riddle will keep the formula going for the 2007 readings.
During the winter of 2006, Waide had the privilege to model for photographer Jay Jorgensen and be included in Jay's art book, "Shades of Desire" ,published by Bruno Gmunder Books. This fine, photographic collection, showcases handsome male nudes in artistic and lush black and white. "Shades of Desire" IS NOT A CHILDREN'S BOOK. The photographs may be viewed at www.jayjorgensen.com .
A little known fact about this poet is his craftmanship as a Master Barber.
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