An Interview with Nick Paskoski

Nick Paskoski is an activist and writer from the Washington D.C. area. Simultaneously heartfelt and sarcastic, his debut novel, American Pride, combines a rock and roll style with thoughtful political and social explorations.

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

There is a reoccurring idea in the novel of people wanting a country that they can be proud of. But these visions, and what it takes to achieve them, differ greatly. The story behind the title would take too long to tell, so I’ll just say that.

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

The cover is very striking. Go look at it if you don’t believe me. I think the most akin feeling to holding the book for the first time would be that of being at the top of a rollercoaster, right as it turns the corner, that split second before it drops. It was great.

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

I have trouble processing emotions, good and bad. Writing is an outlet. It’s fairly solitary a lot of the time and fairly easy to do on the surface, so practicality-wise, it is a nice viable option for expressing oneself. I suppose I also have my parents to blame for reading to me as a kid.

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

I have worked all kinds of jobs, from being a janitor in a book publishing warehouse to coordinating meetings with members of Congress. More than anything, I’m an explorer. I suppose I’m also an activist, in the sense that I’m active. I think it is important to have fun and do things.

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

There is a line in the book, “it all becomes stories, then we die.” This is the guiding philosophy of one of the characters. Life is temporary, stories live on. I’m glad the book is out in the world.

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

Songs that I would listen to with my headphones on, taking the metro into the city at night to meet up with friends, right out of college, working my first ‘real’ job, with my first ‘real’ apartment, with copious amounts of freedom, and wonder, and energy.

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

I want to encourage love. I want to combat apathy. I want to make people feel alive. I want people to remember we are all humans, living in a society, and we need to come together.

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

I like the people. That’s why I chose to work with them. Atmosphere Press also provides resources and guidance while letting authors maintain creative ownership. A lot of people want to publish something, but never actually take the steps to make it happen. So, I suppose I would ask wannabe writers, ‘Do you want to be someone who says they are going to do it, or do you actually want to do it?’

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