The Captivating and Unapologetically Witty Voice of Marc Berlin

Photo: Marc Berlin – Acclaimed Author, Filmmaker, and Witty Satirist Behind Obama Confidential and The Mermaid

Exploring His Journey from Filmmaker to Author

Marc Berlin elaborates on combining humour with commentary, navigating rejection, crafting unique voices, and sharing invaluable writing advice. His works include suspenseful novels and biting political satire that challenge conventions.

A  Author Marc Berlin captivates readers with his satirical wit, dark humour, and thought-provoking narratives. From the sharp political humour of Obama Confidential to the poignant social commentary in The Mermaid, Berlin’s work masterfully balances hilarity with insight. Known for his diverse writing style, Marc has forayed into psychological suspense with Oddball in 3G and continues to challenge literary boundaries with his upcoming science-fiction novel, The Hunter Martin. A distinguished author, filmmaker, and satirist, Berlin draws from his rich life experiences, creating memorable stories that resonate with readers and leave them intrigued, entertained, and inspired.

Marc Berlin brilliantly fuses sharp satire with gripping storytelling, delivering thought-provoking narratives laced with humour and enduring charm.

What inspired you to write “Obama Confidential”? 

Obama became president through a combination of intelligence, hard work, and extreme caution. As a middleclass Black man seeking to become a U.S. Senator and then the first Black president, there was zero room for error. I found this dynamic uniquely American and somewhat comical.  

How do you balance satire with thoughtful commentary in your writing?

There is no separation between them. The satire is the commentary, and it comes out unconsciously. You can’t teach someone to be funny. 

“Obama Confidential”: “Laugh Out Loud Funny”; “Weird, Amusing, Bizarre”. – Dr. Johnson.

What was the most challenging part of creating the diverse voices in the book?

The voices in the book are similar to creating characters in a novel or screenplay. I’ve written both, so what the characters “say” in “Obama Confidential” came to me quickly without too much thought.

How did your different career experiences influence your writing?

Apart from running a small media company in which I interacted with a diverse group of neurotic people over the course of 40 years, I’ve been influenced mainly by reading the business pages of The N.Y. Times every day and watching CNN. 

“Obama Confidential”: “Politics is the last refuge of the scoundrel” – Dr. Johnson. 

Can you share any anecdotes or experiences that shaped your perspective for this book?

Growing up, I always found Art Buchwald’s columns to be very funny and even more enlightening than the regular reporting. 

Did you face any unexpected challenges while working on this book?

Finding a competent graphic designer that could handle the interior artwork. I stress competent, as many people are unable to provide the services they say they can.

Do you think satire is an effective medium for addressing serious issues?

The world is awash in profound, highly complex problems that defy easy explanation or solution. Satire is an amusing way to state the problem so the experts can find a solution.   

How do you approach the creative process when developing humour in your work?

Humor is very natural to me. The only time I have to think is when I’m editing and need to choose what to include and what to delete. It’s like in “The Shining” when Wendy Torrance asks Jack if he has any ideas. “Sure,” he says. “Lots of ideas. No good ones.”   

What writing habits or routines do you follow to stay productive?

What does ‘productive’ mean. If I write ten pages of junk, it’s not being very productive. For this reason, if upon reviewing my output for the day I find it mechanical and substandard, I’ll stop writing for three days.

What writing tips would you give to aspiring authors?

Get ready for rejection, a lot of it, every day. I was a salesman once, and that experience inoculated me to rejection. Writing something good, in my case novels, requires a lot of free time without the stress and hassle of going to a job every day. I was lucky that I fell into a line of work that interested me and provided a regular, mostly passive income which allowed me to indulge my whims and fantasies. Also, my wife lets me do whatever I want so long as the bills get paid.

What advice would you offer to aspiring authors trying to publish their first book?

Edit edit edit, then edit some more. If inclined, write in a genre (sci-fi, suspense, etc.) that’s clearly commercially viable and will attract a literary agent. My first book, a bloody suspense novel (“Oddball in 3G”), was picked up by a small publisher that ended up doing zero marketing of it. Still, if possible, avoid publishing independently as the indie publishing game is extremely competitive and, unless you’re a tireless KDP geek, utterly byzantine.  

Do you have any general advice for authors trying to navigate the literary world?

Buy Berkshire Hathaway B Shares and invest in a nursing home and/or real estate. In other words, don’t get overly serious about it. It’s just entertainment.