Edge: Acerbic and openly gay, David Sedaris may be considered America’s funniest writer. In his latest collection of essays, “When You Are Engulfed in Flames” (Little, Brown), the North Carolina-raised humorist details cringe-inducing experiences: fighting with people on airplanes, wearing fake (women’s) nylon-padded underwear and even a bizarre, brief friendship with a neighborhood child molester.

These days living in France and England, Sedaris returns to the U.S. for a speaking tour. Click here to see a list of Sedaris’ upcoming appearances.

Sedaris recently chatted about his Gawker-alleged advances towards male fans and marrying his boyfriend, Hugh Hamrick, in order to save money.

Years ago, you mentioned that you had started – but didn’t finish – writing an essay about befriending a neighborhood child molester. That story now appears in “Flames,” so, how did you find your way to completing it?

Well, it helped that he died. (continued)