An Interview with Eric Locsh

Eric experienced a lightbulb moment after exploring various fields in college—accounting, teaching, and geology—when he finally embraced his childhood passion for writing stories. From there, he published his first novel after a decade of hard work, drawing inspiration from his life experiences and keen observations of the world around him. Eric uses his writing as a way to articulate the often dueling opinions and emotions inside him and believes a great book showcases relatable characters, despite their moral standing. He hopes his readers walk away with new insights about themselves or alternative perspectives through his stories. When he’s not writing, Eric enjoys riding his motorcycle, traveling the world, and spending time with friends and family in New Jersey.

Learn more about the author at ericlocsh.com, or follow him on Instagram @eloauthor / X @ericlocshauthor and keep up with news on Facebook: Eric Locsh Author!

What inspired you to start writing this book?

It began as a winning short story in a 2021 contest. After publishing my first novel, I looked for inspiration for my next project but struggled to find an idea I really loved. This was during the height of the pandemic, a divisive election, widespread rioting and protests, and an overall emotionally charged time in the country. I needed a way to sort it all out in my head. I wondered, what would happen if people with opposing ideologies had to team up as superheroes to save the world? What if one hero’s perspective was shaped by his immigrant background (like me) and another’s was shaped from being raised here (also like me)? How would their differing views of good and evil shape their fight against crime? How would their principles hold up in a divided world? The subject matter felt like an endless well of ideas to mine, so I started digging.

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

The title, The Night Howler, came to me pretty quickly, but its meaning evolved much later. As I fleshed out the story, the main character grew into the name. “Howler” is a hero adapting to an unfamiliar world, accepting a new identity along with a new persona. In order to survive, he has to embrace the Night Howler and make peace with the city he abandoned. I initially considered a longer title, “The Night Howler: The Howl in Darkness, The Roar of Justice,” to give it that comic-book feel, but opted for the shorter version. I thought of Star Wars: A New Hope, which was initially just called Star Wars before “A New Hope” was added later, and liked that idea. Who knows, maybe that will happen with this story too.

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

I’ve been listening to Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack for the Christopher Nolan Batman films on repeat for months. The Matt Reeves Batman movie soundtrack has also helped me through some scenes. There are a few crossovers between Howler and Batman, so the somber and high-octane tracks really capture the essence of many scenes in my book. Also, my main character is from an older generation, so he enjoys classic songs like “More Than a Feeling” by Boston, which plays in the background of at least two scenes.

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

My research mainly comes from observing and listening to the news and in-depth studies by independent journalists. I’m fascinated by the inner workings of the world and the lengths people go to in order to gain more for themselves and cover it up by any means necessary. Someone once said that news is no longer local, and what happens in a small town is now a major national news story, so it’s like you’re reading the stories of people from all over every single day.

On a different note, I just finished Yellowface, which was recommended by my fiancé. It was a good read and light enough that I could enjoy it and come back to my writing refreshed. I’m also reading a biography on Elon Musk which, if there was ever a person so deeply tied into our culture at the moment, he’s the guy.

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

I’ve been a copywriter for nearly 12 years, working everywhere from big tech companies like Samsung and LG to small start-ups working to protect rain forests in Brazil by tapping into blockchain technology. Readers also wouldn’t know that I’m a first-generation American with Russian-Jewish roots and one of the first in my family to attend a university.

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

I’ve always had a vivid imagination for storytelling. As a kid, I would get lost for hours playing with action figures and Legos, creating giant elaborate stories in my head that would go on for days, with multiple character arcs and giant set pieces, often ending with the destruction of several sets. My parents fueled this creativity too, by taking us around the world on family vacations, exposing me to new cultures and unique places that broadened my perspectives.

Figuring out my career path in college was challenging; everything I tried felt wrong. One pivotal phone call with my dad changed that, though. He reminded me of a story I wrote in elementary school about gargoyle statues (shoutout to the Gargoyles TV show). That conversation reignited my passion for storytelling, and I knew right then that writing was what I wanted to pursue.

Where is your favorite place to write?

A dimly lit corner room with a window view of rain pouring down on the city, sometime late at night when the rest of the world has fallen asleep.

Do you have any writing rituals?

The only writing ritual I have right now is that I do it every day. Whether it’s a word, a sentence, a dozen pages, or just thinking about a way to tweak a line of dialogue to make a scene work better. The ritual is to do it every day.

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

My only goal is to tell a good story. I want it to stick with readers long after they’ve closed the final page. That’s what makes a good book in my mind. My perfect reader is someone who yearns to look at the world through multiple lenses, someone who isn’t easily offended and just wants to be entertained. They enjoy poking fun at the often silliness of our culture and how crazy people can get.

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