Bob Eckstein
Bob Eckstein is a New York Times bestseller (Footnotes From the World’s Greatest Bookstores), an award-winning writer and illustrator, New Yorker cartoonist and world’s leading snowman expert (author of The Illustrated History of the Snowman). He has written thousands of pieces worldwide from magazines ranging from Playboy to MAD magazine. He is also a Contributing Editor for Writer’s Digest magazine and teaches writing and drawing at New York University. His next book All’s Fair in Love & Fair; Cartoons by the World’s Greatest Cartoonists published by Princeton Architectural Press in Oct. 2020.
Twitter: @BobEckstein
Instagram: @BobEckstein
Are there particular films that have influenced your writing?
There are many but one in particular had a big impact. I decided to write a fictional illustrated novel, actually a black comedy about Arctic exploration in the form of a 1850 diary after watching Master & Commander just got me into the mood. So much so that I gutted my attic and redid it as a replica of the interior of a ship’s Captain’s quarters as my new writing space. (it later was voted on the list Top Ten coolest offices and has been featured in magazines and on TV. More importantly it has a day bed.)
Do you collect anything?
My wife is a hoarder. She needs help. She then got me addicted and I have now collections, my biggest being the world’s biggest collection of antique snowmen. This was mostly in part to complete my two books on the history of the snowman. I also have boatloads of Godzillas, ice spear fishing decoys, Outsider and folk art, Adirondack stuff, etc. But the collection I am most proud of is I have a gift of collecting scary talented friends. My circle of friends include the most acclaimed comedians, cartoonists, writers and artists. This would include my wife, renown book artist, Tamar Stone. I would say that this is my greatest talent. Finding others to ride their coattails!
What do you worry about?
Unfortunately, a lot. I worry constantly about those around me and that extends to the bookstore community and the field of cartooning. In the big picture of things books, have not been on this planet that long and they are a great gift to mankind. But that’s certainly a big question mark and even electronic books is not the same experience as a physical book. So much has changed in the past three years and people are going to regret neglecting Mom & Pop businesses and deal solely with robots. Mark my words, they’re a pain in the ass to deal with.
As far as cartooning goes it breaks my heart to see what’s happened in that business. I could go on, but what’s the point?
What brings you great joy?
Making someone laugh, especially a loved one, so hard they are crying and doubled over. If I can get them to have a spit take or have liquid shoot from their nose, all the better.
Do You have another artistic outlet in addition to your writing?
I do. I paint and draw for magazines and in 2007 started doing gag cartoons. I have since published over 1,000 including many for The New York Times and New Yorker. I also make lots of things from birdhouses to birch bark picture frames to oil painting and I also do all the cooking. Tammy all the dishes. The only time were together is when we’re eating.
