Meet Bruce Ferber | Author/TV Writer-Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bruce Ferber and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bruce, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is an essential part of the creative process. Every artistic breakthrough I’ve had was the product of allowing myself to think and act outside the box. Being open to new experiences and different points of view inform the work. Immersion is king. This goes for relationships, too. Sometimes we’re not able to take as many risks because the business of life gets in the way. We all have to make peace with that, and find a balance that is sustainable.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I came to writing novels after working in movies and television for over two decades. The progression seems unusual because it usually happens the other way around, but this has been a great fit for me. I worked on television shows watched by thirty million people a week, yet I’m more excited when a much smaller audience I don’t know connects with my books. I guess it’s because the novels represent my voice. Me reaching out to other humans with a particular take on the world. When they relate to it, I feel like it’s not just me and my words, alone in that room.

My path was circuitous, as most creative careers seem to be. I started out working for free as a production assistant on a Roger Corman film, then got hired as an assistant film editor, and always wrote in my spare time. Eventually, people saw my TV scripts and I got hired to write sitcoms. None of this is ever easy, but the truth is, it was much easier then than it is now. Fewer people competing for the same jobs. I overcame the challenges with perseverance, but today, a young person needs more. More options. A bigger variety of skills. The ability to pivot. And most importantly, the good sense to totally dismiss the notion of celebrity. It is counterproductive and gets in the way of creating art. What I strive for in everything I do is authenticity. It is always my greatest hope that people see this in the work.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
It would have to be the whole “mountains to the sea” package, hiking in the Santa Monicas starting at the Circle X ranch, and climbing to Sandstone Peak. There’d be beach walks and biking — Santa Monica to the South Bay is a fantastic way to spend the day. Food-wise, I’d bring my New York friends to Langer’s for a #19 Pastrami Sandwich. Downtown LA would definitely be in the mix, both for the restaurants (brunch at Perch for the view), and the unique DTLA experiences: the Last Bookstore and Grand Central Market, of course, but also, some things not everyone knows about. For instance, the LA Athletic Club is a historic building that offers live jazz to non-members on Thursdays and Sundays. Any excuse to see a concert at the Ace Hotel, or one of the other old, converted movie theaters is also high on the list. If my friends are writers, or avid readers, I’ll bring them to one of the many quality book events going on throughout LA. Skylight, Diesel, Book Soup, and Vromans always have things going on, as well as popular reading series like Roar Shack and Library Girl.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Three people who come to mind are my producing mentor, Elliot Shoenman, and my former therapists, the late Ernest Masler, and Shari Foos. Elliot taught me to see the big picture. Dr. Masler led me to empowerment. Shari was the first person who asked: “Have you ever thought about writing a novel?” To which I responded, “I could never do something like that.” I started experimenting the next day. Since then, I’ve written five novels, including my latest, I BURIED PAUL, and a new one on the way.

Website: bruceferber.net

Instagram: @ferberama

Linkedin: Bruce Ferber

Twitter: @BruuuceF

Facebook: Bruce Ferber