Akim Gagnon is a Quebecois writer known for his daring style, firmly anchored in the human experience. Shaped by a challenging childhood and an ongoing search for meaning, his writing is infused with deep emotions and the natural world. In this conversation, he opens up about his path, his influences, and his evolving approach to writing, which he views as a journey of introspection.

Akim Gagnon’s upbringing was one where love and challenges were closely intertwined. When reflecting on his youth, he speaks candidly, blending humor and thoughtful introspection: “My youth was like a rollercoaster filled with love, discomfort, powerful experiences, laughter, and impactful people.” He adds that what stands out most to him is the patience and love shown by the adults who shaped his worldview. "I truly understood this once I crossed into my thirties, and had both feet firmly planted in adulthood."

For him, the past is not a weight to shed, but rather a foundational period and the raw material for his creative journey. “Life becomes clearer once you can differentiate between the two tracks—the youth life and the adult life.” This shift in perspective has led him to embrace the idea of not running away from his past, but rather using it as the groundwork to forge his future.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Akim Gagnon found solace in writing. “Writing is about hope. And about believing in something greater,” he reflects. It was only during the pandemic that he fully embraced writing, realizing it gave his days meaning and opened a new path toward self-connection.

His approach to writing has undergone a significant shift. What began as a quest for attention and provocation gradually gave way to a more subtle, nuanced and introspective exploration. “I accepted, albeit late, that I have a profound capacity for awe.” This newfound wonder now feeds his creative process—his desire to uncover beauty in even the smallest, most ordinary things. His search for light,  often tinged with bittersweetness, emerges from quiet reflection, and is conveyed through his incisive humor that deepens and lightens his work at the same time.

Akim Gagnon is a Quebecois writer known for his daring style, firmly anchored in the human experience. Shaped by a challenging childhood and an ongoing search for meaning, his writing is infused with deep emotions and the natural world. In this conversation, he opens up about his path, his influences, and his evolving approach to writing, which he views as a journey of introspection.

Akim Gagnon’s upbringing was one where love and challenges were closely intertwined. When reflecting on his youth, he speaks candidly, blending humor and thoughtful introspection: “My youth was like a rollercoaster filled with love, discomfort, powerful experiences, laughter, and impactful people.” He adds that what stands out most to him is the patience and love shown by the adults who shaped his worldview. "I truly understood this once I crossed into my thirties, and had both feet firmly planted in adulthood."

For him, the past is not a weight to shed, but rather a foundational period and the raw material for his creative journey. “Life becomes clearer once you can differentiate between the two tracks—the youth life and the adult life.” This shift in perspective has led him to embrace the idea of not running away from his past, but rather using it as the groundwork to forge his future.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Akim Gagnon found solace in writing. “Writing is about hope. And about believing in something greater,” he reflects. It was only during the pandemic that he fully embraced writing, realizing it gave his days meaning and opened a new path toward self-connection.

His approach to writing has undergone a significant shift. What began as a quest for attention and provocation gradually gave way to a more subtle, nuanced and introspective exploration. “I accepted, albeit late, that I have a profound capacity for awe.” This newfound wonder now feeds his creative process—his desire to uncover beauty in even the smallest, most ordinary things. His search for light,  often tinged with bittersweetness, emerges from quiet reflection, and is conveyed through his incisive humor that deepens and lightens his work at the same time.