Mark Leiren-Young is a writer, documentary filmmaker, playwright, podcaster and orca activist. Mark hosts Skaana, a podcast about orca and ocean stories, and is actively involved in the fight for the survival of the endangered southern residents. Mark has written nonfiction books for young readers on orcas, sharks and octopuses!
One Ocean profiles young people taking action to protect the ocean and the 250,000 species of animals who call it home. Discover what inspires these activists and how you can do your part to keep the ocean clean.
Interviewed by Ethan, age 17
Ethan (E): You have written many books about the ocean. What is it about this topic that keeps bringing you back to write more books?
Mark Lerin-Young (MLY): Once I started writing about orcas, people started to track me down to share amazing stories. I was working on the story of the first whale displayed in captivity – Moby Doll – when someone asked if I knew about the 100 year old whale, Granny. I didn’t. Not long afterwards I was making a movie about her. I launched a podcast – Skaana – just to share all the important stories I kept hearing.
In case it’s useful here’s the movie:
And the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/skaana-one-ocean/id1232220512
E: You have written books about whales, sharks, and octopuses. Why did you choose to focus on these three sea creatures?
MLY: This started with orcas. I was interviewing Paul Watson – one of the world’s most important environmentalists – and he told me the story of Moby Doll. I was fascinated – not because it was a whale story, but because it seemed like a real-life science fiction story about first contact with an alien. After I wrote about Moby Doll I was suddenly welcomed into the world of whale people and they had more stories they wanted me to tell that were just too interesting to ignore.
My publisher, Orca, asked if there was another animal I wanted to write about. My friend, filmmaker and activist Rob Stewart, had made three movies to save sharks and died making his third.
Since we’d met I’d promoted his movies however I could. I asked Rob’s family if they’d be okay with me writing the shark book I felt he should have and would have. They approved and shared his photos with me. I gave it a title that I felt honoured Rob’s passion and goals – Sharks Forever.
And octopuses… when Orca asked if I had another animal to write about my wife suggested octopuses. I’d always thought they were very cool, but the idea of learning about them was slightly terrifying because they really are alien from us, so I had to learn a lot of science. And I am much more familiar with science fiction than science!
E: What do you plan to write about next?
MLY: Next up I’m writing about another marine mammal – polar bears – because I was able to go see them in Churchill, Manitoba.
I’m also directing a documentary about Moby Doll and the southern resident orcas.
And I’m writing a new stage play for young audiences about endangered species.
I’m also working on a bunch of movie and TV projects.
E: When you were growing up, were there any specific facts that interested you on this subject that you have returned to in writing this book?
MLY: I thought whales and octopuses were very cool when I was a kid – and I thought sharks were terrifying – but I never imagined I’d ever write about them. Superheroes, yes, marine life no. And I did eventually write superhero stories for a bunch of animated TV shows and worked on a TV series for Marvel that didn’t happen – an adaptation of Moon Knight years before Marvel TV was the huge phenomenon it is now.
E: If you could describe the most important thing you want children reading your book to take away from it, what would that be?
MLY: I’m hoping that the stories I share will make people care at least a little more about these animals because we protect and fight for who and what we love. Also, all of my books talk about the importance of treating animals as individuals and referring to them as he/she/they not it and that. Orcas, sharks, octopuses… they’re animals – like us – not things.
E: What was the funnest thing about writing this book?
MLY: For Octopus Ocean: I got to shake hands with an octopus. And I got to interview some of the world’s top octopus experts. For One Ocean… I got to interview a bunch of amazing young activists and I got to work with an artist to make the book look as fun as it does.
E: What was your favourite sea creature when you were a kid? Do you have one as an adult? If so, what is it?
MLY: As a kid… I got into environmental issues because I was completely obsessed with cryptozoology. My family used to vacation in Harrison Hot Springs – Sasquatch country – and Osoyoos – Ogopogo country. So my obsession wasn’t orcas or octopuses. I was all about the Ogopogo.
As an adult, since orcas have taken over my life I’ve gotta go with orcas. But I’ve also got to go with an individual, so let’s say Ocean Sun – since she’s almost 100 and is the matriarch of the endangered southern resident orcas.
E: What’s one piece of advice you would give to a child who wants to help protect the ocean?
MLY: Find something that excites you… an animal or place that makes you smile… share that passion. And – like magic – you’re making a difference!
E: What did the publishers think about this book idea when you first presented it to them?
MLY: One Ocean was the publisher’s idea and I wasn’t sure what to do with it until I realized that it would be really exciting to make sure every chapter focused on something that young people were out there doing or had done. I wanted to make sure I was sharing their advice and experiences, not mine.
Interviewer Bio: Ethan is a very quiet child living in Victoria, B.C. Ethan enjoys reading graphic novels with fantasy storylines so much that he has plans to become a writer himself (possibly).