Author Interviews, February 2025

Embrace the future and let go of the past, says debut author Marc MacDonald

Marc MacDonaldby Timothy Pike

Featured on our cover this month is Marc MacDonald, author and communications professional from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, whose debut novel, Autumn, was recently released.

Enjoy this interview with Marc, where he reveals how he knew his story would resonate with readers, what he considers the hardest part of writing a book, and his advice for finding writing time in the “cracks” of your day.

Welcome, Marc, and congratulations on your debut novel, Autumn! What made you decide to write a book, anyway?

I’ve always wanted to write a novel. It seemed like the natural evolution of my love for reading and writing. Autumn was a story I had in my head for a good decade or so before I finally put pen to paper. When Covid hit in 2020 and lockdowns kept us all at home, I found myself with time that would have otherwise been spent elsewhere. It felt like the perfect opportunity to finally sit down and write. At that point, I told myself I owed it to myself to at least draft the story—just for me. What might come of it beyond that was uncertain, but taking that first step felt like a long-overdue promise fulfilled.


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What was the hardest part of bringing your first book to publication? The most rewarding part?

The most challenging part was navigating the complexities of the publishing world. Beyond managing the writing and editing deadlines, there was a steep learning curve around timelines for marketing and engagement. With so many competing voices offering advice and best practices, it could feel overwhelming at times.

The most rewarding part, without question, was connecting with other authors who had walked this path before me. Hearing their stories, exchanging ideas, and sharing conversations about something as personal and cherished as our writing was an unexpected and deeply fulfilling joy. It reminded me of the incredible community that writing can build.

Are you originally from Ontario? What do you like best about living in St. Catharines?

I was born in Ontario, but I grew up in Alberta. I moved from Alberta to New Jersey when I was sixteen and finished high school there. I came back to Ontario for university and have been in St. Catharines ever since. St. Catharines has experienced a transformation in the last few years, and it’s been great to see the investments being made in many sectors. As part of the overall Niagara Region, everything you could possibly need is right here.

I was struck by one of the reviews of Autumn, which described it as “a lovely reminder to let go of the past and make space for new beginnings.” How does this message come through in the story?

This theme is central to the main character’s journey. While our past undoubtedly shapes who we are, clinging to it too tightly can stifle growth and new opportunities. For Alex, the protagonist, this struggle defines much of his story. His inability to let the past remain in its place influences many of his decisions, often holding him back. It’s not until he encounters his foil that he begins to realize an essential truth: life is not what lies behind us but what waits for us on the horizon.


Writing doesn’t always look like sitting at a desk for hours on end. Sometimes, it’s using your commute to think through a scene, jotting down fragmented ideas in your notes app and hoping they still make sense later, or lying awake at night wrestling with a stubborn plot hole.


In addition to being an author, you’re also a strategic communicator. Can you explain what this is, and what it involves?

As the Chief Communications & Engagement Officer for the City of Welland, I provide strategic counsel to the mayor, CAO, and senior staff, ensuring our communications align with the city’s goals and values. Strategic communication is about more than just sharing information—it’s the purposeful use of messaging to achieve specific objectives. Whether it’s enhancing branding, managing reputation, fostering community engagement, or influencing behaviors, it’s about crafting messages that resonate and delivering them through the most effective channels. My role is to connect the right message with the right audience, ensuring that every communication is clear, consistent, and impactful.

What is your best advice to help busy writers find time to devote to writing?

Unless writing is your full-time job, finding time to write often means seizing the cracks in your day—those fleeting moments when you can squeeze in even fifteen minutes. Life is busy, and if, like me, you have a family with young kids, your attention is constantly being pulled in countless directions. Writing doesn’t always look like sitting at a desk for hours on end. Sometimes, it’s using your commute to think through a scene, jotting down fragmented ideas in your notes app and hoping they still make sense later, or lying awake at night wrestling with a stubborn plot hole.

These small moments of effort add up. They pave the way for actual words on the page. And the more you use these moments to prepare—whether by brainstorming, plotting, or untangling ideas—the easier it is to make the most of your writing time when you finally sit down. Writing isn’t just about typing, it’s about keeping your story alive in your mind so that when the opportunity arises, the words are ready to flow.

How does your background in communications influence your stories?

My communication style is deeply rooted in storytelling, which means understanding my audience and crafting language and style to tell a compelling story has become second nature to me. While the creative and technical aspects of writing may seem worlds apart, they share a common thread: practice makes progress. The more you write—regardless of the style or medium—the more natural and seamless the process becomes.

What’s the best way for a new author to get started writing a novel?

Bleed. Puke. Spew. Spit. Ooze. Drivel. Drool. Whatever it takes, just get the words out.

Unsettling imagery aside, writing doesn’t start perfectly. Hell, it barely ends perfectly. But the reality is that it rarely even starts good. It starts messy, chaotic, and unfiltered. It starts with emotion spilling out in chunks that make no sense. It starts with phrases that embarrass you. It starts with a blank page demanding to be filled, and you giving it whatever you’ve got. It starts with words you know how to spell but can’t get your fingers to type correctly.

The magic isn’t in that first draft—it’s in having the guts to let it be ugly. To let it be human. Only when it’s out, raw and real, can you start shaping it into something worth sharing. So don’t hold back. Let the words flood the page. That’s where writing begins.

Were there any obstacles you encountered along the way? How did you overcome them?

The biggest obstacle was the unknown. Okay, great, I have a manuscript, but now what? I worked with Freisen Press, a Canadian publishing company, and that obstacle was quickly overcome. Beyond that, connecting with people who have published their work before was the biggest boost. It’s amazing how open people are to sharing what they know and helping you out. The writing community truly is a special place.

What one thing moved you forward more than anything else in your writing journey?

In this case, it was the themes in Autumn. I truly believe that the idea of struggling to let go of the past and embrace the present and look toward the future is something many people deal with. To that end, I thought that if I could share a story about not only acknowledging that struggle, but how to take the steps to move forward, maybe it would resonate with someone enough to take today by the horns. Maybe it’s ambitiously naive to think that, but I’ve learned that stories can have tremendous impact on people.

After this milestone in your author career, what’s next?

I’m working on my second novel as we speak, with an anticipated release date of spring 2026. I’ve come to enjoy writing novels more than I expected and realize that I have a trove of stories circling my thoughts that, if I don’t get them out, might just be the end of me. I’m eager to continue writing, sharing stories, and connecting with people who have read my work.


Marc MacDonaldMarc MacDonald is an award-winning communications professional with over fifteen years of expertise in various communications roles within media, education, and municipal sectors, and recently published literary fiction author. More than just a seasoned communicator, Marc is a passionate storyteller, personally and professionally. He firmly believes in the transformative power of stories, words, and language, viewing them as integral connectors between people and potent antidotes to managing our challenges.

Marc has been recognized for his outstanding contributions, with accolades that include national and international awards for communications and writing projects. Through his trailblazing work, he communicates messages and weaves compelling narratives that resonate with personal experiences, making a lasting impact on both individuals and the community at large.

Learn more about Marc by visiting his website, and connect with him on Instagram and LinkedIn.

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