Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a writer from Canada’s east coast, now living in Toronto, and I’ve been writing comedy, advertising and television for over 20 years. So far, I’ve published two books of short, humorous fiction and now turning my attention to a few more ideas for longer format fictional works.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book at this point is “Cliche And Wind Go Hitchhiking” and it’s another collection of my absurdist, humorous short stories. I’m a sucker for tight writing that gets to the punch, so most of the stories are no more than 2 to 3 pages long. This book and the previous book ‘Vengeful Hank & Other Shortweird Stories’ came out of a year-long writing experiment I set up for myself.
In 2013, I challenged myself to write one piece of creative writing, every single day. Some were poems. Some were top ten lists. But most of them turned into these short, comical and weird stories. By the end of the year, I’d written 365 pieces. Some of them were published on social media and quite a few people commented I should write a book.
I never took them seriously, till I ended up getting laid off from my job. At that point, rather than bemoan my fate and let myself get miserable in the time it took me to find another job, I set about actually finding a publisher who liked the work, and – as the story goes one thing led to another and here you have it.
Over the next several years I’ve returned to that original year of writing work; I’ve polished, edited and explored the original stuff and come up with many stories and characters I really quite like and am happy to share with others.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I will only write in the nude.
Just kidding.
I can only write while clothed.
And drinking coffee.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m a huge fan of Steve Martin’s writing. Growing up along the border of Maine, of course, am also a huge fan of Stephen King – probably my favourite book of his is ‘Different Seasons’. I also absolutely love all Douglas Adams and David Sedaris works. Can I add Peter David, too?
I’m also a voracious reader of biographies, which most people find boring but I absolutely love them. Have torn my way through bios and autobiographies of The Beatles, Bob Dylan, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Neil Young, etc. etc. I guess catching up to the heroes of my youth.
What are you working on now?
I’m noodling over several ideas; possibly a comedic gothic horror series. The other work is more autobiographical coming-of-age story about divorce, friendship and growing up in the 1980s in my peculiar small town in Canada.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Can I say ‘awesomegang.com’? I will.
I will say ‘awesomegang.com’.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write. Don’t stop to care if it’s perfect as it’s coming out of you. Just let it come out of you. The SECOND step of writing is editing, so get it out of your way when stuff is pouring out. Kill the critic between your ears, for now. It doesn’t have to be perfect the first time it comes out of your pen, your pencil, your keyboard. And know that there *is* someone out there who wants to read what you have to write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Don’t eat those cold cuts.”
I was broke, between jobs, and I really should not have eaten them. I did eat them anyway and I regretted it.
Equally good advice? “When someone shows you who they are, believe them.”
What are you reading now?
I’m reading one of those great series of books from 333sound.com about record albums called ’33 1/3″ – my wife got me the one for ‘Zeppelin IV’ and also Neil Young’s “Waging Heavy Peace”.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing, more publishing, more, more, more. I’m also in development with a local comedy theatre to develop an improvised show based on my writing and hoping to have that up and running sometime in 2019.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Stephen King’s ‘Skeleton Crew’
Steve Martin’s ‘Pure Drivel’
David Sedaris’ “Me Talk Pretty One Day”
Author Websites and Profiles
Marcel St. Pierre Website
Marcel St. Pierre Amazon Profile
Marcel St. Pierre’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account