Interview With Author Mary Odile (M.O.) LeClair
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a 42 year-old Author/Director from Toronto, Ontario. I’m living in Hamilton, Ontario. I have an amazing husband named Adam, and we’ve been together for almost nine years, (coming up in August, 2025).
So far, I’ve written two suspense/psychological thriller fiction books. The first is ‘Concrete Jungle,’ which was released in in September, 2021. The second is ‘Sidewalk High.’ which was released in February, 2024. I’ve also directed both of the audiobooks for those books. The ‘Sidewalk High’ audiobook came out in February, 2024 and the ‘Concrete Jungle’ audiobook came out in June, 2024.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book, was released in February, 2024. It’s called, ‘Sidewalk High.’ It was inspired by everyday life. In ‘Sidewalk High,’ Jasper Lane, a.k.a. ‘Lane,’ takes us on a gritty journey through the harsh realities of life in ‘Shady Acres, Ontario.’
This tells his story, as well as those stories of his close circle of friends, (and some enemies, too!) — whom struggle to survive and thrive in this gutter of a city, that offers them little to no hope, and definitely no mercy. They face violence, addiction, betrayal, hate, and loss – but they also find love, loyalty, lessons, courage, and purpose.
All of my books are currently being sold on Amazon and Audible, through my own company, ‘Room with a View Productions,’ which I founded in 2014.
‘Sidewalk High’ is a raw and powerful depiction of what many of us have to face, everyday. Whether on the streets, or not.
“What’s normal for the spider, is chaos for the fly.” ~Morticia Addams
It’s preposterous what someone can get used to in this world — and it’s even more wicked what some are forced to get used to. With this in mind, ‘Sidewalk High’ captures the voice, realness, rawness, and spirit, of its characters, their lives, problems, solutions, and their environments. ‘Lane,’ as he’s mostly known as throughout the book, does not shy away from showing the deep, seedy, dark side of the streets — but he also reveals the humanity, love, and the beauty, that can also reside there, too.
The lessons that are learned on the ‘Sidewalk of Life,’ are not usually ones that are so easily forgotten, and they’ll stay with you long after you finish the ‘class.’ At least the ones that are worth learning will, anyway. Good luck figuring out which is which, though. Most lessons in life, they’re not learned in a classroom. No. Most lessons, you see, they’re learned on these ‘streets.’
‘Sidewalk High’ is an exploration of life deep in shadows of ‘Shady Acres.’ The novel follows Jasper and his friends, and his enemies and their enemies, as they all navigate through the realities of their problems, lives, and city — despite these hardships, some rise… and some also fall.
The book is a portrayal of our everyday struggles, and it’s encapsulated by the thought what seems normal for one, seems pretty messed up for another. “Lane” does not hold back the bad, but he also doesn’t forget to highlight all of the good, which is so often missed in everyday life. There can be peace found, amidst all of the chaos, if one only looks.
Some lessons learned, are profound and enduring. This story emphasizes, that real-life education more often than not, happens outside of the classroom. It happens on these ‘streets,’ where your children play, everyday.
These lessons here, they’ll stay with readers long after they finish the book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sticky green, caffeine, and nicotine. I wouldn’t say they’re unusual habits. They’re just habits I have while I write, usually.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
‘Different Seasons’ by Stephen King.
‘Girl, Interrupted’ by Susanna Kaysen
‘1984’ by George Orwell
‘The Glass Castle’ Jeannette Walls
What are you working on now?
I’m working on my third fiction book, ‘VAULT 777 – ‘The Odd Family,’ which comes out November 3rd, 2025. I’m also working on my first ever recipe book, ‘Dee-licious F*ckin’ Recipes – ‘A Collection of Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, & Dessert Ideas,’ which comes out April 13th, 2025.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
When it comes to promoting my new books and audiobooks, I usually use social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X (Twitter), and TikTok), in order to promote and advertise my books, audiobooks, and book trailers. I also use Canva and Biteable to create my book trailers. I use yWriter to help start and organize the writing and ideas. I also use ACX to create the audiobook versions of all of my books. It’s where I hire the voice actressses who narrate my books. I sell them on ‘Audible’ and ‘Amazon,’ as well as on my own company website, ‘Room with a View Productions.’
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you’re not sure what to write, just start writing. Just turning on the tap, will get the water flowing. Write first, edit second. First with your heart, then with your head. If you want to be a writer, you’ve just got to write.
“Fiction is a lie – and good fiction, is the truth inside the lie.” -Stephen King
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“It’s not about what you want to do, it’s about what you do.” -Stella Robichaud (Age, 4 years-old)
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading ‘The Interpretation of Dreams’ by Sigmund Freud. It’s a super interesting read, so far. Dreams have always really intrigued me. They’re such a mystery!
“Life is but a dream, sweetheart.” -The Classics
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to be finishing and releasing my third fiction book, ‘VAULT 777 – ‘The Odd Family,’ which comes out November 3rd, 2025. I’m also working on my first ever recipe book, ‘Dee-licious F*ckin’ Recipes – ‘A Collection of Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, & Dessert Ideas,’ which comes out April 13th, 2025.
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?
‘Different Seasons’ by Stephen King.
‘Girl, Interrupted’ by Susanna Kaysen
‘1984’ by George Orwell
‘What to Do When You’re Stuck on an Island’ by Someone 😉
Author Websites and Profiles
Mary Odile (M.O.) LeClair Website
Mary Odile (M.O.) LeClair Amazon Profile
Mary Odile (M.O.) LeClair’s Social Media Links
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