A Whimsical World: An Interview with E. Peecow, author of The Big Book of Stuff

Besides launching breakfast sandwiches, Mr. Peecow writes songs, sings stories, and has a large appetite for sensory-deprived swimming lessons. It’s been two years since he succumbed to his frightening habit of climbing slippery slopes, but all in all, the wind blows where it does. Eat chips successfully!

What kind of ice cream warms your heart? Do hotdogs really understand the weather? E. Peecow doesn’t have all of the answers, but with his nonsense books, silly songs, and infectious energy, he always touches hearts, young and old.

E. Peecow has done a lot of professional stuff over the years including conducting orchestras (Saskatoon Symphony 2015-22 and many others), playing viola, writing children’s books, composing music, being a kids’ entertainer, and performing singer-songwriter shows. He also has a weekly online TV show for kids and their parents, and enjoys ice cream (but not professionally).

You can buy The Big Book of Stuff here.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

It was pretty easy and straightforward. The Big Book of Stuff is a book full of stuff (and it’s big). 

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

I loved it! There’s something special about seeing and tactilely feeling what you had in your mind come to life on a tangible piece of material.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I’ve always written stories for my nephews, nieces, and friends’ kids, so this was just a continuation of that but on a professional level.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I’ve been a professional classical musician for the past thirty years, and the past twenty of those I’ve been a professional orchestra conductor (I played viola professionally in orchestras for the first ten years of my career). There were definitely some incredible highs during those years, including touring the world and performing at some of the world’s best concert halls. Good times!

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

Seeing it in the hands of kids and hearing them giggle (and their parents too).

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

It does have a soundtrack! I’ve made a number of the silly poems into songs and share those almost daily with audiences of all ages.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I hope my readers get a kick out of it, have a few giggles, and a lot of smiles.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

There’s a lot of other fun nonsense I’ve written and continue to write, all of which I hope to publish into more books.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

Atmosphere Press has been great. The individuals I worked with were all so professional and helpful (and nice!) and I would definitely recommend other writers to take a look.

You can buy The Big Book of Stuff here.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.