The creativity Mathew Klickstein harnesses can be found in books, TV shows, plays, movies and publications such as The New Yorker.
Just like the variety of outlets his work has appeared in, his list of places he lived is just as extensive.
Born in Southern California and a graduate of the famed University of Southern California film school, Klickstein has lived in New York City, Los Angeles, Lawrence, Kansas, Dayton, Ohio, and other Colorado towns, but Greeley is home for now.
“If someone were to say ‘What do you think about Greeley?’ The first thing I would say is the music,” Klickstein said. “I just love the live music here. I love the jazz and the blues.”
Last May, Klickstein moved to Greeley after being named the publication director for “Greeley Lifestyle” magazine. He is also the author of more than a dozen books and has two new ones scheduled to be released soon.
His graphic novel “Daisy Goes to The Moon” is scheduled to be released later this month. It’s loosely based on the life and work of Victorian-era author Daisy Ashford. Ashford wrote “The Young Visiters” when she was 9 years old. It was published in 1919 with all the grammar and spelling errors a child-writer would make.
In mid-February, Klickstein’s book “Lloyd Kaufman: Interviews” is also scheduled to be released. Kaufman is the co-founder and president of Troma, an indie film studio founded in 1974, and is the creator of films such as “The Toxic Avenger.” The book includes interviews with Kaufman as well as 50 years of content from the filmmaker.
Klickstein said plans are in the works to promote the books that he also hopes will bring the community together, too. He said he has been speaking with The Kress Cinema and Lounge about hosting events for the books.
The author of 2013’s “SLIMED! An Oral History of Nickelodeon’s Age” has experienced some of Greeley’s biggest events since moving here like his first cattle branding and going to the Greeley Stampede. The cattle branding was an experience for him not only because of the sights and sounds he took in but also because of the multiple generations helping at the farm.
It was the family legacy angle that stuck with him because having lived in the big cities with the flashing lights where sometimes nothing seems real, it’s the emotions and authenticity of events like cattle branding that fuel his drive to write and create content in small communities.
When it comes to putting together events, Klickstein wants his events to have as many businesses and connections as possible. He wants to ensure there is plenty of community support, and he’s not opposed to using his connections to help out.
It’s communities like Greeley — far away in many ways from L.A. or New York — that harness stories Klickstein wants to find and share. It’s those communities, the hometowns of young and promising content creators, he wants the next generation to explore more and get involved with.
The flashing lights will always be on in the big cities, so there is no rush to go see them.
“I think … part of what I hope to be doing, what I know other people like myself are trying to do in places like Greeley or Lawrence or Dayon, Ohio, or wherever else, is to remind people that you can do it here, too,” he said.
To purchase “Daisy Goes to The Moon,” go to tinyurl.com/2kd8sck4.
To purchase “Lloyd Kaufman: Interviews,” go to tinyurl.com/wny3r9rc.
This post was originally published on here
