Secrets are revealed here in the L.S. Goozdich confidential Dossier

L.S. Goozdich
Vipers and Red Rocks

“80s style kick-ass action movie mashed up with Sergio Leone and old school pulp fiction.” -Brian Panowich, Author of Bull Mountain & Nothing But the Bones

DOSSIER: You were born with less than a 1% chance of survival. Now that you’re married with kids, how do you look at your writing through the lens of your own mortality? Is there a sense of urgency with reaching people through what you have to write?

GOOZDICH: This urge to constantly work harder and faster has been a recurring pattern in my writing career. While it can sometimes push me to achieve more, it’s not always productive, and I have to remind myself to step back. The truth is, once I’m gone, my books will likely fade into obscurity within months. That’s why it’s crucial for me to keep in mind that, as important as my career is, my family—and the legacy I leave for my son and daughter—matters even more. Ultimately, it’s not just about what I create for my readers, but what I build for those I love.

What provides profound inspiration?

DOSSIER: Since you do so many things to help impact the people around you in positive ways, do you thread certain messages into your men’s adventure books to help people or do you leave the two things separate?

GOOZDICH: My aim is never to lecture or inadvertently put someone through a therapy session. However, I’m keenly aware of the positive impact that stories have had on me. Certain books and characters have provided me with profound inspiration and motivation, and that’s something I hope to share with my readers. I want to offer them a hero—an ideal to look up to and strive toward. It’s my hope that a young man who is struggling to find any spark in his life might read my book and come to understand his own significance, the weight of personal responsibility, and the call to lead. More than that, I want him to unearth the truth that his life is filled with meaning—that within him lies the potential of a hero. He’ll come to realize that he possesses the same fighting heart that has driven countless men before him.

His new “game of survival”

DOSSIER: When and where do you like to write and what environment works best? Do you sit in the woods with a pencil and some paper, hang out in the corner of a boxing gym with your laptop, or listen to the soundtrack to Rocky on a loop?

GOOZDICH: Before having kids, my answer would be quite different. Back then, writing was a long stretch of alone time, complete with walks for contemplation, Rocky music, or the occasional hour(s) of procrastination. Yes, I would hike into the woods, set up a hammock, and get to work, or I would absolutely pull out a pen and paper at the boxing gym to jot down ideas.

Now? It’s become a game of survival. With a toddler, an infant, a wife, and a full-time job, my writing career has turned into a patchwork of moments—15 minutes here before a meeting, 10 minutes there before heading home. Some days, I don’t get to write at all. But no matter what, I keep going. Writing is one thing I know I’ll never quit. I will find a way to get words on the page, no matter the obstacles.

The Men’s Adventure Fiction Podcast

DOSSIER: You co-host a podcast, you’re working in the mental health field, and you’re always looking for ways to encourage people to be their best. Besides raising your kids right and keeping your family safe, what’s your biggest goal right now?

GOOZDICH: Right now, I’m focused on dialing in my nutrition—not necessarily to get those Rocky abs, though that would be a nice side effect. With my heart condition and the complexities it brings, longevity has been weighing on my mind. I’m researching everything I can about the best ways to diet and exercise to support both my heart and liver. Ultimately, my biggest goal is to stick around long enough to watch my kids grow into the kinds of heroes I write about.

Two big pieces of news

DOSSIER: Do you have any breaking news or special announcement you’d like to disclose in your Dossier?

GOOZDICH: I’m excited to share two pieces of news. First, my co-host on The Men’s Adventure Fiction Podcast, Nathanael Hummel, and I are releasing a collection of short stories titled The Fighting Heart of Man Vol. 1. We’ll be announcing the release soon. The other news is still surreal—I’ve entered pre-production on a boxing film, with principal photography set to begin next fall. It’s an incredible opportunity to bring my stories to the big screen, and I can’t wait to see it come to life.