Conversations with Stephen W. Martin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen W. Martin.

Hi Stephen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today. 
Hi! My name is Stephen W. Martin. I’m an Emmy-nominated writer on the Netflix animated series Trash Truck, and I’m the author of many picture books, including Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion and Metal Baby! I’m also a Canadian living in California, who misses poutine and the noble beavers. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Fun fact about me: I have dyslexia. Growing up, writing in school was a struggle. I loved to read and write, but being wired differently made it harder. To this day, my amazing wife Lola checks all my stories before they head out to my agent… she is actually going to read this interview as well LOL. 

In regards to the current picture book market, it’s tough out there. You are competing with the classics that we all grew up with, Suess, Sendak and Steig, and also celebrity titles that pop up every month. The best thing you can do is write with passion and know that good books will always find their audience. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in unconventional, outlandish, and offbeat concepts, filled with humor but which, at their core, have a lot of heart. The kid’s market, I think, has gotten too soft, too, Ted Lasso, and I think we need to remember kids love to go crazy and have fun! Kids love danger, excitement, and darkness. They want stories and characters to grab them and together go a little wild. 

Currently, I’m working on the sequel for my book Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion. Fluffy is a cat so cute, if you look at her you explode! KAAAABOOOOM! In the sequel, which will be hitting bookstores next year, a giant kaiju monster is eating everything he can get his hands on, and it’s up to Fluffy to stop him! 

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Next time you’re in a bookstore, please head over to the children’s section and check out one of my books. Picture books today are overflowing with awe-inspiring art and superb storytelling covering a range a topics from Mindfulness to Murderous Bears…These are not the bedtime stories you grew up with! 

My newest picture book hits bookstores on March 12th; it’s called METAL BABY. Here’s the pitch – The Mumfords are a quiet family. They live on a quiet street and enjoy quiet things. So, imagine their surprise when they bring home… a Metal Baby! The Mumfords try their best to quiet his cries. But he just gets louder and louder. Soon, he’s rocking all day and all night. And he’s attracting a lot of fans! The Mumfords are exhausted. Their quiet souls are crushed. Is there any way to put Metal Baby to sleep? 

And finally, if you’d like to see some of my animation writing, login, turn on your Netflix account or… families/roommate/ex’s Netflix account, and check out Trash Truck. I had the pleasure of working on the show that I guess can best be described as Giant Truck Winnie the Pooh. It’s a mellow, slow-paced unwind that I think parents and kids will dig. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Stephen-w-Martin.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenwmartin/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-w-martin-76153b68/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Stephen_W_M

Image Credits
Alan Mamaril