Where awesome book readers meet awesome writers.
Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Christopher Shoust, a Canadian author and journalist whose work explores the raw, surreal, and often nomadic realities of modern life. With over 15 years of experience writing for newspapers across Canada, Shoust brings a journalist’s precision and a novelist’s heart to his craft. His fiction captures the uncertainty of existence while revealing the hope and endurance that lie within it.
Meet Christopher Shoust
Christopher Shoust’s journey began in journalism, a career that took him across the vast landscapes of Canada. “I was trained as a journalist,” he shares, “and I spent 15 years working for newspapers across the country.”
His time on the road shaped his storytelling voice honest, reflective, and deeply human. “Being a nomadic wanderer in journalism gave me an unusual perspective on people and places,” he explains. “That experience has fueled much of my fiction.”
Shoust has written multiple novels, two of which have been published so far: The Beggar (2013) and In The Western Night (2025). Several more manuscripts are currently being refined for future release.
About His Latest Book: In The Western Night
Shoust’s most recent novel, In The Western Night, tells a story that mirrors life’s unpredictable storms. “It’s an incredible journey,” he says, “filled with uncertainty and terrible circumstances but also the discovery of hope when it seems impossible.”
The book delves into resilience, despair, and redemption through a narrative that feels both intimate and universal. With its poetic prose and emotional depth, In The Western Night captures the human spirit’s ability to find light even in the darkest places.
Writing Habits and Creative Process
When it comes to his writing process, Shoust’s habits are simple yet distinct. “I often write while watching old movies,” he admits. “I also prefer using specific pens, but nothing too unusual beyond that.”
He describes his creative flow as intuitive. “Writing, for me, is about rhythm and immersion. Whether it’s the flicker of a classic film or the comfort of a well-worn notebook, the right atmosphere helps the story unfold naturally.”
Literary Influences
Shoust draws inspiration from a wide range of authors some for their brilliance, others for their flaws. “I learn from everything I read,” he explains. “Even poorly written books teach me something about what not to do.”
However, he credits Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg as his greatest influences. “Kerouac and Ginsberg were entirely different, yet both could grip a reader’s soul,” he reflects. “Kerouac was a poetic novelist; Ginsberg, a prosetic poet. That balance between structure and spontaneity has always fascinated me.”
What He’s Working on Now
Currently, Shoust is crafting a new novel that has been evolving for two decades. “I’ve been working on a book about the prairies for nearly 20 years,” he says. “It’s a story that keeps growing and changing as I do. The land itself has a rhythm, and I’m trying to capture that essence.”
Promoting His Work
For those looking to explore his writing, Shoust recommends visiting his official publishing site: Lost Telegram Press.
“I prefer authentic connections with readers over aggressive marketing,” he notes. “The goal is to find people who understand the kind of stories I want to tell.”
Advice for Aspiring Authors
Shoust’s advice for new writers is refreshingly honest and rooted in real-world wisdom.
“Have a day job. Learn how to fix your own vehicle. Learn how to live on very little.”
For him, writing is a vocation, not a quick path to fame or fortune. “Survival skills matter just as much as literary ones,” he adds with a smile.
The Best Advice He’s Ever Heard
When asked about the best writing advice he’s ever received, Shoust hesitates. “There have been so many,” he says thoughtfully. “It’s too broad a question to answer. Every writer learns from a thousand small lessons rather than one single piece of advice.”
What He’s Reading Now
At the moment, Christopher is revisiting a timeless classic: Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell. “Orwell had this rare ability to humanize hardship,” Shoust explains. “His work reminds us that dignity can exist even in the lowest places.”
What’s Next for Christopher Shoust
“I can’t see into the future,” Shoust says candidly when asked about his next steps as an author. Yet his dedication to storytelling is unwavering. With several novels already in progress and a clear sense of purpose, readers can expect more reflective, immersive narratives in the years to come.
If Stranded on a Desert Island
If he were stranded with only a few books, Shoust’s choices reflect both intellect and introspection:
- Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- The Trial by Franz Kafka
“These books remind me of humanity in all its complexity beauty, absurdity, and grace,” he says.
Connect with Christopher Shoust
To learn more about his books and upcoming projects, visit:
Website: Lost Telegram Press
Final Thoughts
Christopher Shoust’s work captures the delicate balance between despair and hope, solitude and connection. His stories rooted in his experiences as a journalist and traveler invite readers to look beyond the surface of everyday life and rediscover what it means to be human.
With In The Western Night, Shoust continues to prove that even in life’s darkest hours, the search for meaning never truly ends.
