6 Important Writerly Questions with Erin McLaughlin
Have you read The Lobster Heist? Oh, you must. It’s the best, most exquisite lobster-based thing you can get that doesn’t require clarified butter. Out now from Humorist Books, it’s the story of stunted slacker Josh Cantillo, whose life consists mostly of slopping on the topics at Brooklyn’s Hot Dawgy Dawgs and searching futilely for the lobsterman father who abandoned him years earlier. When he finds out Dad is dying, he aims to reunite with him and show him the one thing he remembers them both liking: a rare, metallic-blue lobster that resides in a local, sketchy Chinese restaurant with underworld ties. Does he steal that lobster and head for a Maine for an unpredictable, funny, and quite moving adventure? You’re damn right.
The Lobster Heist is the debut novel by noted internet humor writer and The Hard Times contributor Erin McLaughlin. She answered some questions for us. And you. And here they are!
1. Who are you? What are you doing here?
I am Erin McLaughlin! I’m a satire writer and author of The Lobster Heist. I’m also an editor and a future adjunct for eternity/aspiring academic.
2. Since “Where do you get your ideas?” is a terrible question, what made you want to write this book?
I didn’t know my dad growing up, or much about him, and I felt an identity crisis about it (to the point of changing my last name; my last name used to be Mandeel). I realized that who you are isn’t based on who a parent is. Your true character and who you “are” is in you, not whether you’re 25% Eastern European on your dad’s side or whatever. Plus, I always loved misadventure crime capers and blue lobsters.
3. How did you keep writing this book?
The pandemic! I had time to actually devote myself to writing. I was also going hard with satire at the time, co-running a satirical crowdfunding site that I co-founded called JumpKick. Writing was the only thing keeping me sane.
4. Who is this book for, anyway?
It is for all of the people facing an identity crisis or dealing with abandonment issues and loss and insecurity who need a big hug. Also for punk rockers and Breaking Bad fans (find the 12 Breaking Bad references inside!), I guess.
5. Any darlings you had to kill?
Just my former self who based her identity on the wrong things. But that part of myself is still okay and still somewhat exists. But I overcame it.
6. What are you working on now?
I’m working on an entertainment/labor union satirical novel! It’ll satirize entertainment companies through the lens of a labor union. I started writing it today. Hopefully I am still writing it when this comes out! Also been trying to crank out some literary satire.
Erin McLaughlin will read from The Lobster Heist and speak on October 6 at 7 p.m. at the illustrious Astoria Books in Queens, New York. Go on, go there, meet Erin, have a great time, get an autograph.
