An Interview With Edward Sylvan
I write to evoke empathy and to hopefully help people not feel so alone.
I believe storytelling can have a major and positive impact on society as narratives have a way of connecting with people on personal levels, in a way that is individual and non-didactic. I’m particularly interested in themes dealing with individual struggles and also ones that impact large portions of society.
As part of my series about “authors who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Andrew Cotto.
Andrew Cotto is an award-winning author and regular contributor to The New York Times. He has also written for Men’s Journal, Rolling Stone, La Cucina Italiana, Parade, Conde Nast Traveler, Italy Magazine, and more. Andrew has an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School. He lives in Brooklyn, NY. His latest book, Pasta Mike, shares his personal story of grief, depression, and triumph that addresses the stigmas surrounding male bonds and men’s mental health.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
Sure! My childhood was unique in that I was born into a typical Italian-American family, and we lived in a fairly typical middle-class enclave just outside of New York City. When I was 12, though, my family began a series of moves around America, every three years, and I was able to experience childhood and adolescence in diverse ways socially and geographically. I think this is why I grew up to be a storyteller.
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or change your life? Can you share a story about that?
Unlike most of my fellow writers, I didn’t grow up immersed in reading. I do, though, vividly remember the impact on my imagination and spirit upon reading “Danny, the Champion of the World” by Roald Dahl.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting mistake that occurred to you in the course of your career? What lesson or takeaway did you learn from that?
I actually thought that writing was the hard part of being a writer. I finished my first novel, a coming of age story — THE DOMINO EFFECT, and found an agent right away; this agent had an editor at Random House interested, right away, in an exclusive. I was spending the advance in my head and wondering what it was going to be like to be a bestseller and famous. Within a month, the editor left her job and my agent decided to focus exclusively on non-fiction. Getting books into the hands of readers has been a struggle ever since…
Can you describe how you aim to make a significant social impact with your book?
I write to evoke empathy and to hopefully help people not feel so alone. Every one of my novels, and many of the articles I write in my respective columns, at The Good Men Project and the Huffington Post, are intended to address the major issues of existing in the times in which we live. I believe storytelling can have a major and positive impact on society as narratives have a way of connecting with people on personal levels, in a way that is individual and non-didactic. I’m particularly interested in themes dealing with individual struggles and also ones that impact large portions of society.
Can you share with us the most interesting story that you shared in your book?
The most interesting story in my latest book, PASTA MIKE: A STORY OF FRIENDSHIP & LOSS, is — sadly — the one where the character of Andy collapses upon realizing the impact that the loss of his closest friend will have on him forever.
What was the “aha moment” or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
I had no intention of telling the story of PASTA MIKE with the world, though I had written some articles about our relationship and the impact of his loss. One article, a fairly comprehensive one for the Talkspace blog, generated some feedback from men around the country who said the article helped them immensely with similar situations. This helped me decide to do something larger.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
The problem I’m generally addressing in PASTA MIKE is mental health. What can be done to address this is access, awareness, and education. Addressing our mental health should be as normal as addressing our physical health.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is consistently promoting the greater good (or intention) through personal practice, guidance, vision, growth, patience, flexibility, and humility.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
1) Writing is the easy part of being a writer — the time spent hustling with regard to writing (finding agents, publishers, promoting, pitching, etc.) is more grueling than sitting in a chair everyday and creating stories from scratch.
2) Don’t quit your day job — I didn’t, actually, but depending on writing as a main source of revenue has been far more difficult than I imagined.
3) Stick to one genre — I really didn’t have a choice here, as my imagination drives the work, but staying in one genre would have been an easier way to build audience.
4) Don’t try to be your own editor — I did it with one novel, and it was a disaster!
5) Don’t respond to online comments — Replying to those who hate on your articles in the comments box is self-defeating and a waste of time.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Life is too Short to Drink Bad Wine” — I’m not entirely serious here, but I do believe that our happiness derives from appreciating the things we find pleasurable and enjoying them as often as possible.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I really like former President Obama. We’d have such fun over a long lunch.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
My website has links to all books/articles:
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Thanks so much for having me!
Social Impact Authors: How & Why Author & Journalist Andrew Cotto Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.