Meet Samuel C. Spitale | writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Samuel C. Spitale and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samuel, why did you pursue a creative career?

Creative expression and storytelling have always been a huge part of my life. Even as a kid, I gravitated toward the arts, be it drawing, writing, film, or getting lost in a good book.

After graduating college with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in mass communication, I began my professional career working for Lucasfilm Ltd. in Product Development, where I managed worldwide Star Wars and Indiana Jones collectibles. I also wrote for Star Wars Insider, doing quirky celebrity interviews and writing product updates.

Eventually, I felt a calling to do more of my own creative projects, so I moved to L.A. to focus on screenwriting and storytelling. Before long, my writing began to tackle more real-world issues like inequality and socioeconomics, which led to my first original book How to Win the War on Truth: An Illustrated Guide to How Mistruths Are Sold, Why They Stick, and How to Reclaim Reality.

It’s a subject I’ve become pretty passionate about: clearing up misinformation, myths, and other falsehoods so that we see the world as it really is, not just how we think it is. Today, with social media and the Internet, it’s become increasingly difficult to separate what’s true from what’s not. What was supposed to be the Information Age has instead become an age of misinformation. How to Win the War on Truth examines how this impacts our lives and shapes our worldviews. Understanding this is key to making informed decisions and protecting our democracy.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think writing is about having something to say and being compelled to say it. It’s about self-expression, but it’s also about sharing that message with other people, be it merely to entertain them, or, hopefully, enlighten and educate as well. That’s the intent of How to Win the War on Truth. It’s partly why the book is fully illustrated (and executed wonderfully, I might add, by Canadian artist Allan Whincup). The graphics add a whimsical tone that makes the subject matter more accessible, and it livens up the data with humor and ease. I think this is particularly important when dealing with otherwise heavy issues like racism, economic inequality, and political polarization.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When family comes to visit in a few months, I plan to bring them to the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. For a bit of old Hollywood fun, I’d take them to lunch at Formosa Café, which is just around the corner from where I live. For dessert, I’d go to Ecco un Poco on 3rd Street for Italian gelato and a gluten-free cannoli. For a cool bar experience, I’d bring them to the 1970s speakeasy bar Good Times at Davey Wayne’s in Hollywood. I also love bringing people to the Last Bookstore in downtown L.A., which is an awesome place for book lovers. And no visit is complete without hiking Runyon Canyon, which is a quick hike and provides amazing views of L.A.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My high school English teacher Karen Mizell. She was always so encouraging with my creative writing, and she really inspired me to want to be a better writer. So much of the book came out of conversations we had after the 2016 election, about socioeconomics, politics, and propaganda. I hope I’ve made her proud!

Website: www.samuelcspitale.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samuelcspitale

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-chris-spitale-8a9912172/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/samuelcspitale

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samuelcspitale

Image Credits
All art by Allan Whincup. The headshot of me taken by Christine Taylor.