Korey Steckle: Author and Artist
- Cloey Kinney
- May 9
- 3 min read
Korey Steckle was encouraged by those closest to him, to tell the world his story. "People would say it's so cinematic... Loved ones, people in my life, my mom, my aunt.. Others would compliment me and speak on how articulate I was... My aunt suggested that I document (my life), because I had a near death experience in 2014. A year later into that, in recovery, my aunt mentioned that not many people have reached that dark place or the brink so close to that, and returned to then be able to speak on it."
"I had already established myself in the art world, at least in Ontario. I was encouraged by people in the art world as well to share, because my story involves not just my personal life but my upbringing, my background. And also what brought me into the arts world and what inspired me to take that leap of faith to pursue the arts."
Steckle's first book, 'David: A Memoir' hit the shelves in 2024. Before it was born into a physical book, it sat untouched on his computer. "I didn't know what I was going to do with (the book). I didn't even know if it would be published... I wasn't anxious to have it released. I was feeling mixed about it. I knew the message needed to be heard, (but) I was wanting to find the right fit with the right publisher."
Whether it was fate or pure coincidence, Steckle soon found his perfect fit. "A Guelph reporter was interviewing me, and she heard bits about my life and she said, 'you should write a memoir'. And I said well in fact, I actually did..." Steckle learned that she was a publisher, investigated the company, and decided that she was exactly who he'd been looking for. Someone who was willing to help him tell his story, and someone who would do it justice.
Steckle's memoir documents everything from birth, up until 2021. Including the story of how he came to live in Canada. "Before I was even born in 1976, things were already transpiring in place for me to be here. Now that sounds strange but in the memoir it documents how my parents wanted to adopt a child from overseas... They tried to adopt, they had signed paperwork, and even went to the airport twice. But they signed and agreed upon adopting three children, and in (every) case, they passed away before they were brought to this country or en route, even."
Originally wanting a girl, Steckle's adoptive parents received a call for a healthy baby boy; they jumped at the opportunity. Steckle covers not only this in his memoir, but "my childhood, my upbringing in public school, and then all through my young adult ages. Into having a son in my thirties who's now seventeen turning eighteen. So my life was in a dark place for a very long time... and now there's more light shining through it now."
But what should readers come away with? Steckle reflects on what message he'd like fans of his memoir to leave with. "I've been dwelling on my past for so long in interviews, I think it's gonna be about what's current and what I'm looking forward to in the future. The message would be of hope. Don't give up. Pursue that spark deep within. Don't hesitate... To me it was like a calling. I'm not religious, but art spoke to me very early on and has throughout my life. I don't think I'd be here today if it wasn't for art's influence in my life.
As for what the future holds? Steckle says he's in talks with producers to possibly make a documentary of his memoir. "I would like to be able for (adoptive parents) to be able to see our story on the screen. I'm the main subject, but it is a collective. There's a collective involved in this that brought me to this place." Steckle admits and admires that he could have never gotten to where he is, all on his own.
Be on the lookout for volume II of Steckle's memoir this December, as well as the launch of his podcast this summer.
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