Today we’d like to introduce you to Zack Reed.
Hi Zack, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began writing in high school for my newspaper. After studying journalism in college, I began exploring different genres of writing. In 2019, I finished my first novel, and at the start of 2020, I finished my second book, which was a novella that was the sequel to my first book. Both works were published independently through my publishing company at the time (which is no longer in operation), but I didn’t do much in the way of marketing them, so they mostly only made their way through my friend circles. In 2023, I found myself in Southern California, traveling and working remotely as I looked for somewhere to settle down. That’s what brought me into staying and working in hostels, and I quickly got hooked up with a company (ITH Hostels) and began volunteering for them, doing work on their website and helping at their San Diego location. I spent time moving through and volunteering at their chain of hostels in California. At the start of 2024, I landed in Santa Barbara, and I continued working with ITH. Later that year, I was encouraged to write my story about what it’s like to spend extensive time staying and living in hostels. Since hostels are still largely misunderstood by the American public (just the other day, someone told me they won’t stay in a hostel because they were afraid they would get murdered), the book felt like an important project. That’s when I started writing Same Bag, Different Bunk: My Life Inside American Hostels. I opened a media company (This Could Be Good) and released the book in October 2025. After its release, I spent weeks traveling through hostels throughout America, promoting the book and building connections with hostel owners. In May 2026, I released the audiobook version, which I recorded, edited, and produced myself. Currently, I’m working with hostel owners around the country to place the book in their locations, to have it in every hostel in America. That’s how I got here.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Smooth is not the word I would use, but I would say that everything I have done has brought me to where I am today. And for that, I’m grateful. I think one of the biggest struggles has been promoting my work. I learned pretty quickly that it’s one thing to create, and it’s another to sell. However, that’s a skill that I am constantly working to develop, and I have gotten stronger in that regard. Being more active on social media for marketing and running ads has helped, and I have been fortunate enough to have talented people working with and around me (especially Erica Scipione, the illustrator for Same Bag, Different Bunk). But at the same time, there’s so much work left to do, and I truly feel that, even for as long as I’ve been doing this, I’m just getting started.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in storytelling, whether it’s my own or someone else’s. Outside of writing, I would say one of my strengths is interviewing people and making them feel comfortable while still asking difficult questions. I would like to think that my latest book, Same Bag, Different Bunk, is the best piece of work I’ve completed, but I’m also proud of some of the travel and sports pieces I’ve written over the years as a freelancer (I’m a huge football fan and also host and produce a podcast about the NFL and college football). I would say my versatility as a writer also sets me apart. I like to challenge myself by learning and refining different styles of writing, especially across different topics.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I would say one of the biggest risks I’ve taken lately has been investing most of my money into my business. Last year, I spent a good sum opening my company, producing and promoting the book, and marketing it. On the other hand, I’ve seen it in successful people around me that you can’t reach your goals without pushing your chips to the middle of the table from time to time. I think, to that end, that risk as an artist is important, but when you look at it like you’re investing in yourself, it’s just a matter of time until it all comes back to you. Even if that process can feel like a never-ending uphill battle, the struggle is necessary.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tcbgmedia.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zackreedwrites/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568158597361
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zack-reed-aba8a6415/
