And the Pulitzer Goes To...

Let me introduce you to a man I barely know and have never met (but I like all the same) - Steve Stack. Writer and creator of one of my favourite blogs, he's here today as part of a tour promoting his brilliant new book, "It Is Just You, Everything's Not Shit".

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PB: Steve, Welcome to Phat Beats and Shiny Paper! We're very pleased to be able to host you on your travels.

SS: It is wonderful to be here, and thank you for describing my book as brilliant. I think I love you.

PB: So firstly, tell us a bit about who you are, where you live and what you do - what makes you tick?

SS: Well I like to retain a certain air of mystery but I am prepared to admit to being in my 30s and living in London. When I am not writing toilet books I write for newspapers and magazines. Tea and cake is what makes me tick most of the time.

PB: I love the concept of your site. What inspired you to create the blog?

SS: The boring answer is that, as a writer, I wanted the discipline of writing something regularly on the same topic and as no newspaper had offered me my own column I thought I'd start my own blog. I had enjoyed the 'Is It Just Me Or Is Everything Shit?' books and the Grumpy Old Men TV series but I just thought there was a case to be made for a more optimistic view on life.

PB: Writing a book is a helluva lot more intensive than writing a blog. Why did you do it?

SS: Tell me about it. Early on in the life of the blog I was approached by The Friday Project to turn it into a book so very quickly I had to come up with more entries. I couldn't resist the idea of seeing my words in book form so jumped at the chance. It might be sad but there is a certain joy to be had when you see your book on the shelves of Asda!

PB: What sort of things can we expect to find in there? What's it all about?

SS: Well, there are lots of entries that you will be familiar with from the blog but essentially lots more things to inspire, delight and amuse. I tried to have a bit of fun with the book format so there are a few jokes that run through the book if you read it from cover to cover. Also, the book contains a number of interviews with people who feature as subjects or who are experts on particular areas. So I interviewed Oliver Postgate, the creator of Bagpuss, which was a big deal for me. I also feature Q&As with the founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society, the man behind www.aquarterof.com and others.

PB: What was the best bit about researching and writing on so many different subjects?

SS: I had the most fun when a particular subject or entry then sparked off more ideas. Sometimes one short piece ended up inspiring a dozen more. It was also wonderful to be able to interview some heroes of mine.

PB: Was there anything you found difficult about putting it all together and getting it published?

SS: Actually, I enjoyed every minute of it. I thought it might get to be a bit of a chore but writing about happy things kept me in a good mood.

PB: What kind of feedback have you had about it so far?

SS: Oh, I have had the most wonderful reactions from readers. I put my email address in the book and I have had messages from lots of people who have enjoyed it. There was also one chap who blogged about how he thought he could come up with a better list and then proceeded to do so!

PB: If you had only one word to describe the personality of the book, what would it be?

SS: Optimistic.

PB: And why should we go out and buy it?

SS: Three reasons -

1. Buy it for someone in your life who needs cheering up.

2. Because you can never have too many toilet books.

3. So that I can afford an extra large slice of cake with my cup of tea.

PB: And last of all, I've got some whiz bang 10 Second Questions for you:

In my toilet I read...Currently enjoying Velcro Cows by Martyn Warren.

Music I could never live without: This Must Be The Place by Talking Heads

Favourite thing to do on a Friday night: Read a book

What's your first memory? Christmas wrapping paper

Sometimes I regret...The 80s

In my shopping basket you'll always find: Cake

Most embarrassing moment? Not sure but it almost certainly happened in the 80s.

Best thing about being alive: Not being dead yet.

PB: Thanks so much for coming to visit. We wish you all the best with the rest of your tour - may you forever be kept in tea and cake!

Interested in getting your own copy of this wee smasher? Then click here. Interested in viewing the blog that started it all (and getting a sneak peak of the kinds of things you'll find in the book)? Hit up Everything's Not Shit.