Steve Hofstetter is the author of Student Body Shots. He graduated from Columbia University in 2002, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American History and a minor in Writing. Hofstetter’s new book, “Student Body Shots” is a perfect outlook on a college experience. The in your face novel talks about every thing from hooking up to the truly irritating things about school. “I was upset at my bookstore for paying me so little for my used books. I’d hardly call anything still shrink-wrapped in cellophane “used.”” (54)

T.M: Why did you write this book?

Hofstetter: That question has about 30 layers to it. Let me try one. I’d been writing Observational Humor for a few years, and people seemed to respond well to my view of college. It seemed like a pretty natural progression to make that view more widely available.

T.M: How has your response been regarding the book so far? Not only by students but also by other people as well?

Hofstetter: I haven’t gotten much response from non-students. But from students, it’s been mainly positive. Occasionally, I’ll run into someone who calls me juvenile or immature or something like that. But I’m 23 – what did they expect?

T.M: How well do you think that someone from a community college can relate to something that’s mostly aimed at students attending a University?

Hofstetter: That’s a good question – but a number of the papers who did reviews were Community College’s. I know that I wrote from the perspective of a kid who went to a private school in New York – but a lot of the stuff I covered happens to everyone our age, regardless of their institution. But I admit I’m more careful about being universal in the sequel.

T.M: So there’s a sequel?

Hofstetter: There will be a sequel in August.

T.M: Throughout your book you have written some songs.

Hofstetter: Those have gotten me into some trouble. Most people like them, but one reviewer was VERY angry about the “Your Fat Friend” song. She called it hateful. I don’t understand how people can laugh at everything except for themselves.

Hofstetter: My point is that I never discriminate. If I see something funny, I write about it. That’s my job, and most people like it. And if I occasionally offend a fat friend or a RA (Resident Advisor), well, that’s the cost of being creative.

T.M: So how did you get Rider Strong (of ABC’s “Boy Meets World”) to do the foreword?

Hofstetter: Rider and I took a writing class together – and he was REALLY good. Even though he had to drop after a month for an acting job. When it came time to get someone for the foreword, I thought of Rider. He’s got the oddest college experience of anyone I know, yet understands that we all share a few things in common. And he’s a great writer. So he was the first person I asked.

T.M: When you told your parents that you were writing a book, how did they take it?

Hofstetter: My parent’s are separated. I didn’t tell either of them about the book until it was a done deal. Then I told them in passing. Except I’ve always had these crazy projects, so they had no reason to understand the scope of it. “Mom, I wrote a book” “That’s nice dear.” It went something like that. I think my dad thought I was a little more serious, but he’s smart enough to know this could have been just another one of my crazy ideas.

T.M: Do you feel that by having a book like this out there, you are misleading kids who haven’t gone to college yet, to think that it’s seriously nothing but (as you put it) “IM’s, punctuated by hook-up’s,” and booze?

Hofstetter: If that was the only line I wrote in the book, sure- but it isn’t. Maybe 30 percent of the book is sex and alcohol. If there’s anyone out there who thinks that college is less than 30 percent sex and alcohol, they’re very mistaken. If people read the whole book – they’ll see that there’s a ton of other stuff I make fun of too.

T.M: Besides examples you gave throughout the book, what do you honestly feel the best part of college was?

Hofstetter: Easily, my fraternity. Those guys are amazing people, and some of the closest friends I’ll ever make.

T.M: What do you feel the worst part of college was?

Hofstetter: I had a suitemate freshman year with no regard for anyone other than himself. He made living there less than comfortable.

T.M: What are you working on now; career-wise?

Hofstetter: I’m looking at a few writing jobs’, but I spend most of my time freelancing and promoting the book (and finishing the sequel). Right now, we’re setting up a tour for next semester, talking to student organizations about bringing me out to do standup.

T.M: What do you love about writing?

Hofstetter: Impacting people and changing somebody’s day hopefully for the better.

T.M:Why should people buy your book?

Hofstetter: I’m a regular guy – I partied sometimes, I studied sometimes, I slept sometimes. This book is what I saw in between, and hopefully, I wasn’t the only one. Also, because I’m poor.