Amidst tales of detectives, fantastical battles and heartbreak, books of heart-string tugging poetry and fascinating historical fiction, we at Olympia Publishers have a select few books that inhabit the "laugh-out-loud" vein. Today, we had the pleasure of speaking with M'Lord Chook aka. Paul Szewczuk, author of the side-splitting "Black Metal Dad: A Journey Into the Dark Underbelly of Parenthood", a tell-all memoir about the horrors that come with raising children. We talked about heavy metal, martial arts, and literacy in young people. 



"Black Metal Dad" can be found on our website, and you can find M'Lord Chook's socials and Goodreads page at the link below. 

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1). Right out of the gate, you have one of the most eye-catching titles on our roster, and it gives the reader a good idea of who you are in just three short words! In regard to the “black metal” aspect, you’ve talked about being a heavy metal fan. How has metal defined your life, and which bands shaped your interest in the genre?

Thanks for the kind words. The artist that designed the cover for “A Journey into the Dark Underbelly of Parenthood” certainly helped with it being eye-catching. Looking at the cover drafts for my next book, this will also have some amazing artwork so I’m pretty stoked. I have been a fan of heavy metal since I was a kid. It started with KISS and AC/DC and over the years, grew to encompass all the subgenres of the greatest music on Earth. There is something about the brutal blast beats, shredding guitar and guttural vocals that resonates with my cold, black soul. I don’t know about it defining my life, I have always been drawn to the darker aspects of humanity. Metal is just another facet of that part of me.

As far as bands go, it’s difficult to decide which have had a greater influence on me. My top 5 change, depending on my mood but as I write this I would say the bands are, in no particular order: Slayer, Morbid Angel, Slipknot, Behemoth and Cradle of Filth. Before moving on I’d just like to say one more thing. While the metal community appears intimidating and violent to those unfamiliar with it, this is not the case. Heavy metal concerts and festivals are some of the most inclusive and friendly shows I have attended. So don’t be scared, come join us in the mosh and don’t worry, if you go down in the pit someone will pull you up before you’re stomped into mush.



2). Speaking of interests, you are a man of many hobbies. When you think of writers, you don’t necessarily think of someone versed in martial arts. Which martial art(s) do you practice, and how did you form an interest in them to begin with?

I have been a practitioner of Wing Chun for around 8 years, my interest stemming from my childhood love of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan movies. That said, I never actually started learning the art until I was in my early forties.

It brings me peace of mind when I train, which is a rare commodity in life. Becoming a living weapon to defend myself from the near constant assaults of my rabid offspring and wife has just been an added bonus.



3). You write with an undeniably comedic flair that is sure to coax more than a solitary chuckle out of any reader. As an avid reader yourself, have there been any comedic writers (or writers in general) who have inspired the way you write?

Once again, thank you for the praise. I’ll put in a good word for you with the Gods of Metal And Good Times. While I do like the writings of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams, and absolutely love, “Encyclopaedia of Hell: An Invasion Manual For Demons Concerning the Planet Earth and the Human Race Which Infests It”, by Martin Olson, my writing style hasn’t been inspired by any other authors. In all honesty, the Stand Up Comedy of the great Sir Billy Connolly has been the biggest influence and inspiration for my writing. I think you can see this when you read my work. Especially the profanity. It saddens us all knowing how frail he has become.



4). As a Dad (hence the title of your book), would you say that reading is/should be an important part of a young person’s life? And is it getting harder to get kids to read these days?

Absolutely. The ability to read and, more importantly, critically analyse and interpret what is being read are essential to a person’s skill set. As they say, Knowledge is Power, and you aren’t going to increase your understanding of the world around you by listening to the tales of Pisshead Patsy down the local boozer. Well, to be fair, old Patsy could probably teach you a thing or two about life as well.

It is getting harder to get kids to read today and I lay the blame squarely in the lap of social media. Why read when they can watch endless streams of mind numbing drivel on their phones. The internet was meant to be the font of all human knowledge, not the bottomless pit of stupidity it has become. Skateboarding dogs are pretty cool though, I have to say.

As far as my own kids go, my eldest loves reading, the middle daughter not so much and my son, not at all. I take solace in the fact that he watches television with the subtitles on. You have to take the wins where you can, am I right?



5). There is, of course, a second “Black Metal Dad” book under production in the dark, industrial recesses of Olympia Publishers, entitled “Hunting Unicorns and Other Tales”. What can you tell the world about this forthcoming new book?

That it is gonna irreparably break a whole bunch of funny bones.

Like a zombie rising from a plague pit, M’Lord Chook is back with the next instalment of Black Metal Dad. While the stars of “Journey” were most definitely his family, in “Hunting Unicorns”, he takes centre stage.

Told in the same, uniquely hilarious style of the first book, you will get the opportunity to delve into M’Lord Chook’s past to see what makes him tick. Where “A Journey into the Dark Underbelly of Parenthood” could be compared to a rollercoaster, “Hunting Unicorns and Other Tales” is a freefall without a parachute into a lake of fire. Surrounded by a lego beach.

If you don’t laugh out loud reading my books, you’re already dead.