Meet Todd Marcell | Best Selling Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Todd Marcell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Todd, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from College, Park Ga born & raised. My background had so much to do with the impact of my upbringing. I was raised in a lower middle class neighborhood in College Park, Ga. Pointer Ridge community off Flat Shoals Road and Old National Highway. In the 80’s Old National Highway was a area where black professionals moved to gain a sense of the American dream. I know that seems like a far cry from now but believe it or not Old National was the place to be. My mom worked for AT&T and my dad was a blue collar hard worker. My dad was the first black coach at Old National Athletic Association. He ushered in the pop warner power house that it is now. Everyone form the top to bottom played at Old National, it was a brotherhood like no other and those relationships still remain today. Many individuals who came up out of that area are very prominent today and that is my main reason for my writing to show boys and girls that you can be whatever you want. Many times we get this false image of what success looks like but I can show them normal people who are living wealthy lives with out being a trap boy, thief or trouble maker. I always revert back to my upbringing to show them that you can do it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My writing which I take pride in came about out of necessity. I looked back over my life and realized I was not privy to many bumps in the road on this journey called life. So I wanted to inform the younger generation how the world works. I think they are not told really the ins and outs of how to create the life you want. They see the end result but not the beginning and middle. That led me to write my signature book “How to be Cool”. What sets my book apart from others is that my literature is real straight to the point but also more relatable than any other literary work out there. I am most excited about the opportunity to share my knowledge with others, to see the impact it can make on their lives. The road was definitely not easy because I didn’t have anyone to really show me the ropes. I had some mentors who help once I had already had a product but as far as writing and self publishing I did it all by myself. So I had some on the job training that got me to where I am today. I want the world to know that. There are three things that I strive to achieve when I write my books. I want my readers to learn something new, I want it to be memorable and I want my content to be applicable as soon as they close the pages of my book.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would definitely take them through downtown Atlanta first. Then the King Center. We would hit all the landmarks in Atlanta, Stone Mountain, Trap museum. For food we would go to all the hole in the wall restaurants where the food is unhealthy but good lol. Definitely the sports area depending on whoever is playing during the time. Also we would get our stroll on at the belt-line then frequent all the bars from Ponce to Buckhead all way down to Old-Nat.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate tis shoutout to my dad the late great William “Smitty” Smith who I dedicated my first book to because he made me the person I am today. Also can’t forget about my mom the late marvelous Vivian Smith because it was her who gave me a sense of style. The rest goes to my neighborhood Pointer ridge aka” Shady Park”. Last but not least the most important, God Almighty!!

Website: www.toddmarcell.com

Instagram: @toddmarcellatl

Twitter: @toddmarcell2

Facebook: Facebook/Author Todd Marcell

Other: Email- makeitplainpub@gmail.com