Interview with Marc Shapiro
New York Times bestselling author Marc Shapiro has written more than 60 nonfiction celebrity biographies, more than two-dozen comic books, numerous short stories and poetry, and three short form screenplays. He is also a veteran freelance entertainment journalist.
His young adult book JK Rowling: The Wizard Behind Harry Potter was on The New York Times bestseller list for four straight weeks. His fact-based book Total Titanic was also on The Los Angeles Times bestseller list for four weeks. Justin Bieber: The Fever was on the nationwide Canadian bestseller list for several weeks.
Shapiro has written books on such personalities as Shonda Rhimes, George Harrison, Carlos Santana, Annette Funicello, Lorde, Lindsay Johan, E.L. James, Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson, Adele and countless others. He also co-authored the autobiography of mixed martial arts fighter Tito Ortiz, This Is Gonna Hurt: The Life of a Mixed Martial Arts Champion.
He is currently working on a biography of Keanu Reeves as well as group biographies of Beatle Wives and Beatle Kids for Riverdale Avenue Books.
When did you first start writing?
Around age 13. Lots of bad poetry and short stories. Lots of rejection slips. Got more serious after a couple of years in the army. Started selling to rock magazines and underground newspapers and I was off and running.
What’s the story behind your latest book?
Recently completed a biography on the rock band Greta Van Fleet. Liked the idea of young kids with talent and the drive to succeed. Love determination in any manifestation. Look for it soon.
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What motivated you to become an indie author?
The opportunity to get my work out there and into the hands of readers. I’ve found that indie publishing is a lot more free wheeling and less corporate. The indie press readily welcomes ideas that might get shot down with major mainstream publishers.
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What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Quite simply having thoughts and getting them down on paper. Expressing myself through nonfiction, short stories and poetry. If they’re being honest most authors will tell you that it all starts with the gut.
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What are your five favorite books and why?
I have favorite authors that I’ve returned to constantly over the years. Charles Bukowski, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Ray Bradbury, H.P. Lovecraft, Harlan Ellison. Beyond that it’s just a matter of something that sparks my interest at any given time. It can be a short story in a magazine or a well written biography or autobiography by someone I’m interested in.
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What are you currently working on?
Just jumped into a biography on Keanu Reeves. Further down the road there’s talk of my doing a “very different” Beatles book. So be on the lookout.
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Describe your desk?
When I’m working intensely or on a deadline my desk, as well as my office, is pretty much a mess. Books, papers. Right now there’s a musical percussion instrument called a Gord sitting on my desk. When I finish something or I’m in between books I tend to tidy up.
What authors have influenced or inspired your writing?
As I’ve gotten older it’s been the more direct authors. Charles Bukowski is number one in my book. Rod Serling, Hunter Thompson, Patti Smith. If an author hits me on a visceral level, I’m there.
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What do you read for pleasure?
I hop around from biographies to horror, to poetry and back again.
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Describe your desk?
When I’m working intensely or on a deadline my desk, as well as my office, is pretty much a mess. Books, papers. Right now there’s a musical percussion instrument called a Gord sitting on my desk. When I finish something or I’m in between books I tend to tidy up.
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Describe your writing process?
Making deadlines is always in the front of my mind when I’m writing biographies. It’s usually as simple as how long a manuscript you need and when do you need it by. I tend to write and research at the same time But the main thing is that I have to be passionate about the subject before I write it. Otherwise it’s just too much like work. When I’m writing short stories or poetry it’s all about inspiration. I have a rule that if something sticks in my head for more than 24 hours then it’s worth writing about.​
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What’s your vision of the future of publishing?
It’s a fairly simple equation. As long as people thirst for knowledge, entertainment and inspiration there will always be publishing in whatever media the future may bring.
What drives you to keep on writing?
It beats working for a living and there’s always that question of mortality. A hundred years from now it would be nice to think that my books are out there in the universe being read by somebody.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Be brave. Take chances. Don’t take no for an answer.
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