Mental health activist and thriller author Brian Cuban recently visited Elizabethtown College, speaking in the Bower’s Writer’s House on Sept. 27 as the first thriller author to be hosted on Etown’s campus. Even if writing, reading and thrillers are not certain students’ primary interests, Cuban presents a message pertinent to all students on the Etown campus.
Brian Cuban, brother of Dallas Mavericks owner and Shark Tank guru Mark Cuban, is a lawyer, author, speaker and mental health activist. Throughout his college years and early twenties, Cuban struggled with substance abuse and body dysmorphia. Within his books and lectures, Brian brings awareness to his battle with substance abuse and body dysmorphia. “My recovery years turned into an explosion of creativity,” Cuban said. Brian authored multiple non-fiction books, “The Addicted Lawyer” and “Shattered Images,” bringing awareness to the struggles he was fighting. Recently, Cuban transitioned from non-fiction into the world of fiction by writing his first thriller novel, “The Ambulance Chaser.”
Set in Cuban’s hometown of Pittsburgh, Pa., protagonist and injury lawyer Jason Feldman is on the run from personal demons all while fighting a substance addiction. “Jason Feldman reflects a lot of myself,” Cuban said. After witnessing and running from a horrible act nearly thirty years ago, Jason Feldman had moved on with his life. He had settled into a comfortable routine until suddenly ghosts from the past reappeared. The act that he witnessed and ran from when he was just a teen resurfaced again, forcing Jason into the limelight. “People remember the way you make them feel,” Cuban said. With this action-packed thriller, Cuban understood his duty as an author to keep his readers on the edge of their seats.
Cuban treated the fiction writing process similarly to the non-fiction writing process as he poured aspects of his own experiences into the characters and plot. “The challenge was making Jason his own unique character,” Cuban said. “Protagonists can reflect you but not become you.” For Cuban, implementing aspects of his own life while solidifying Jason’s own character in “The Ambulance Chaser” was one of the main changes from writing non-fiction. “All I care about is I want to entertain and instill social awareness that matters to me like addiction.” Cuban is passionate about raising awareness of the issues that plagued him while connecting with readers through a gripping thriller story.
Cuban resonates with college students because, for him, those years were primarily filled with addiction struggles and mental health issues. Not only does Cuban share his story through book pages, but he also imparts wise words of advice to Etown students who may identify with the same struggles he faced. “Talk to someone. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. It is so important to have someone you can rely on…people love you,” Cuban said. Not only does he have advice for students who are struggling, but he also calls friends and family of struggling students to action. Cuban suggests supporters use the two-question rule. “The first question is: ‘Are you okay?’ The second is: ‘Do you know I am here for you?’” Cuban said. He also stresses the importance of community in college. “Compassionate community is the key to college. Close the circle of compassion around you so there is always somebody that you can reach out to.” Not only can Cuban offer a new fast-paced thriller, but he also grants students practical first-hand advice on the battle of substance abuse and mental health issues.
For more events like these, stay posted for events the Bower’s Writers House will be hosting. Even if a student may not identify as a “writer,” the Writer’s House hosts a slew of events that can interest any student. According to Professor Jesse Waters, Director of the Bowers Writers House, “Over the last 13 years since the Writers House has been in existence, we have brought in over 340 scholars, hosting over 375 events.” The Writers House does not just host events for writers but caters to many different interdisciplinary studies and experts. Anything that has textual value can be the focal point of an event hosted at the Writers House, whether that is a meal, a piece of art or a digital program. One of the most exciting upcoming events will be hosted by author and environmentalist Bob Reiss. “This house provides support programmatically for everyone at the College,” Waters stated. If students are looking to get involved with what the Bowers Writers House has to offer, stay tuned for upcoming lectures and events throughout the semester.
