Named as one of the ’50 Funniest People on Twitter’, Sean Leahy has built quite the following on the Twittershphere as @thepunningman. Appearing on Buzzfeed, Comedy Central, The Poke, Huffington Post, Funny or Die and TimeOut (among others), he has recently published his debut children’s book, The Monster Cafe via award-winning publishers Unbound.
Illustrated by Hungarian artist Mihály Orodán, The Monster Café is a humourous tale that deals with pre-conceptions, pre-school excitement and pre-tty big monsters.
INTERVIEWER
Tell us about yourself, where you live and your background/lifestyle
LEAHY
I’m 36, and I live just outside the gates of Hampton Court Palace with my wife and two children. I earn a crust as a Graphic Designer, and have done for the past 15 years.
INTERVIEWER
Beyond writing and comedy, what are you passionate about?
LEAHY
Football, punk rock and Guinness. The order is dictated by Tottenham Hotspur.
INTERVIEWER
Who inspires you, and why?
LEAHY
Shepard Fairey (the mind behind Obey Giant), for taking something as raw as street art (despite my disliking that term) and punk and making a phenomenon out of it. And Jerry Seinfeld for doing the same with comedy.
INTERVIEWER
Was it always your intention to wind up writing jokes for a living?
LEAHY
Well, it’s not a living yet. I had a real interest in jokes, wordplay and the structure of comedy from a young age, and I had a real interest in ‘making’, be it art, design, writing, film, whatever, in order to get through the working day, rather than doing something I had no interest in.
INTERVIEWER
You’ve published The Monster Café, through Unbound books. Can you tell us a little about where the idea for the book first sprang, and how it evolved?
LEAHY
Having two children means I’ve sat through several kids books, and while there are loads of utterly brilliant and beautiful ones, there are SO MANY that are just complete and utter dog eggs.
It’s trite to say “Christ, I could do better than that”, but I think I have, and hopefully the kids agree.
INTERVIEWER
What’s your experience of publishing with Unbound been like?
LEAHY
The’ve been amazing. The book simply wouldn’t exist had they not afforded me the opportunity. They’re really interesting, in that they crowdfund all of their books, which allows the authors total creative freedom.
As designers, both Mihaly (the illustrator) and I wanted to be able to lay the book out ourselves, and we were able to do that and make all the decisions about how it should look. Once the money was raised we delivered the finished book to them and they made sure it was just as we envisioned it.
It’s taken a while, but we’re really pleased with it.
INTERVIEWER
It seems old hat to say it in some ways, but generally speaking the ‘mainstream’ publishing industry has been somewhat risk averse when it comes to championing and publishing new books that aren’t in someway “copies of novels that are themselves copies of previously successful novels”, as Julian Barnes once noted. What opportunities do you think Crowdfunding offers to aspiring writers with new, unique or otherwise quirky ideas?
LEAHY
It’s meant a lot. You just need to take a glance at a some of the books Unbound have published to see there’s a wealth of topics you don’t see on the shelves in Waterstones. Obviously they’re not only way to go about crowdfunding your book, but the fact they’re a publisher (and a respected one at that), means the buyers take them seriously too. They’re not just putting out any old rubbish, they consider each and every project that is submitted to them, but really champion those who don’t usually get given a voice in this industry.
INTERVIEWER
What makes a good crowdfunding project, in your opinion? And what should authors considering following this route themselves consider before starting their own campaign?
LEAHY
Make it stand out. You only need to scroll the length of one screen these days before you’re bashed over the head by someone asking for your money. Give them a valid reason to part with theirs, and make it colourful.
INTERVIEWER
Your creative partner in The Monster Café is Mihaly Orodan – could you tell us about your artistic partnership; how did you know Mihaly’s illustration style would complement your writing?
LEAHY
Mike (to his pals, and some enemies) and I worked together at a tiny creative agency just outside London. His main task was creating infographics and icons for super dry financial companies. But he also drew caricatures for all the birthdays and leaving cards. Once I saw what he was really capable of, I basically twisted his arm until he agreed to illustrate the book. He’s now has an agent and is working on his fourth book since mine.
His work is really incredible. To be able to put your full faith in someone to just ‘get’ what you want is quite rare, but that’s what I was able to do. I basically laid out the entire book with blank pages and small notes on what should be on each spread. I think I had three amends from the first draft he sent me. It was astonishing.
INTERVIEWER
You’re extremely active on Twitter – what role does social media have to play in the professional lives of artistic and established creatives? Is it an inevitable part of our world with which we must participate?
LEAHY
Twitter is the reason the book is here, make no mistake about it. I’ve been lucky enough to gain a decent following on there from writing jokes and little “micro-sketches”, and that audience has meant I had someone to sell the book to. Obviously friends and family make up a big part of who fund a project, but the fact there was an active group of people who enjoy my writing enough to subscribe to it meant I had more eyes to put the project in front of.
Quick fire round!
INTERVIEWER
How do you tell a good joke?
LEAHY
Start with the punchline and work backwards
INTERVIEWER
Curl up with a book or head to the movies?
LEAHY
I never get to go to the cinema any more, so definitely that.
INTERVIEWER
Critically acclaimed or cult classic?
LEAHY
Both have value, but I’ll go cult.
INTERVIEWER
Most underrated book/film?
LEAHY
The Red Dwarf novels
INTERVIEWER
Most overrated book/film?
LEAHY
On The Road – It’s SO short and I still couldn’t finish it.
INTERVIEWER
Who is someone you think people should know more about?
LEAHY
Jon Klassen. His children’s books, particularly I Want My Hat Back, are brilliantly dark and hilarious.
INTERVIEWER
Do you have any hidden talents?
LEAHY
I can clap one handed.
INTERVIEWER
A bad film review can sink a new director, whereas a good one can catapult someone from obscurity into stardom. Do you personally feel any ethical responsibility as a reviewer?
LEAHY
I am a very enthusiastic recommender. I will bore the ears off anyone that will listen about anything I love. There is value in criticism though, as long as it’s valid.
INTERVIEWER
Could you write us a story in 6 words?
LEAHY
She opened the door.
SURPRISE!
Goose.
INTERVIEWER
Could you give your top 10 tips for writers?
LEAHY
Write all the time.
Write again.
Read it back, twice.
You’re never finished.
Write again.
Tea and biscuits.
Consume everything, even the bad stuff.
Invite criticism.
Listen to criticism.
Write again.
nothing in the rulebook 