Photo Credit: Laura Hopkins
Lee Zanello’s first book, Dwarf Island, wasn’t “published” in 1986 in any traditional sense, but a sign out card and pocket was glued into the back by his grade school librarian so that his classmates could sign it out and read it. Seeing his book on the library shelf next to works by Madeleine L’Engle and C.S. Lewis cemented his dream to one day become a published author.
A graduate of Western University with an honours degree in English and History and a Masters in Journalism, a career in writing seemed certain until he fell into an opportunity to teach English in Japan after graduation. While his two years in Japan did spark inspiration and give him time to complete his first full manuscript, Group, when he returned to Canada his love of writing had some competition: he wanted to see more of what the world had to offer.
An entry level sales job turned into a 17 year career in the travel industry and a roller coaster of experiences that further fuel inspiration for his writing.
From the thrills of shark cage diving and bungee jumping to travelling via tuk tuk and hot air balloon, his time and experience in the travel industry has shaped him in ways he is still learning about today.
The pandemic changed everything and while it has taken so much away from so many of us, it has also delivered many people a gift: the opportunity to focus on what is truly important and what can make us happy. For Lee, it is the opportunity for him to once again focus on putting his writing first and to get his work published.
While his former blogs and websites have been widely read and his sketch comedy and short plays have been performed and produced over the years, his only true publishing credit was in 1997 when Reader’s Digest published one of his jokes. He still has a copy of the magazine, though the $100 has been long ago spent.
You can see his list of completed manuscripts that he is actively querying as well as his works in progress here.
He is looking forward to seeing these on the library shelf some day in the near future.