Quesnel City Manager Writes Horror Books After Hours

Joel McKay loves his small northern BC town so much he fights for it every day, then goes home and writes terrifying horror novels at night.

As Quesnel's chief administrative officer, McKay champions the underdog city that generates massive wealth for British Columbia yet often gets forgotten by the province. He's working on housing for seniors and vulnerable populations, making downtown safer, and supporting local industries that keep jobs in the community.

But this public servant has a creative side that might surprise people who know him from city council meetings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, McKay published his first horror novel, Wolf at the Door. Six years later, he's released over half a dozen short stories and several books in the horror and dark fiction genres.

"There's a giant caveat that everybody needs to understand here," McKay warns potential readers. "This is horror, and it's its own beast. That doesn't mean I'm a horrific person in my life."

The third-generation Vancouverite started as a journalist covering mining, forestry, and environmental issues globally. His reporting took him from Africa to Asia, Russia to South America, but it was northern BC that captured his heart during frequent work trips.

In 2012, McKay left journalism to become director of communications at Northern Development, a nonprofit boosting the region's economy. He spent a decade helping small communities without communications officers, learning every corner of northern BC in the process.

When Quesnel's city manager position opened in 2023, McKay called it "serendipitous timing." He'd always loved the community and needed a change of pace from his CEO role at Northern Development.

"It's flat out the best job I've ever had," he said.

Sunny's Take

McKay's dual life shows that serving your community and pursuing creative dreams aren't mutually exclusive. Coming from a family of public servants, he channels that dedication into advocating for Quesnel's healthcare, education, and housing needs while simultaneously pursuing his master's degree in English literature.

His message to Quesnel residents reflects genuine pride: "This is an awesome city and it is an absolute pleasure to be the city manager here and see where we can get with this town."

Whether he's planning infrastructure or plotting his next terrifying tale, McKay proves you can be multifaceted and excel at both.