Support Nicholas Tanek

Nicholas Tanek – Author, Ghostwriter, Podcaster, and Creative Storyteller

Nicholas Tanek is an American author, ghostwriter, speaker, and podcast host known for his raw, honest storytelling and exploration of alternative culture, personal transformation, and human connection. A graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in English, Tanek emerged from New Jersey’s punk rock and skateboarding scene before immersing himself in the early 1990s New York City rave culture—experiences that would later shape much of his writing.

Tanek is best known for his memoir The Coolest Way to Kill Yourself, a deeply personal work that explores addiction, grief, underground subcultures, and resilience. Inspired by the loss of his partner Lynn, the book reflects his journey from hardship toward creativity and self-expression.

He has also authored Chipped Black Nail Polish, a novella rooted in New Jersey’s punk rock romance scene, and Your Kinky Friends, a nonfiction work examining alternative lifestyles and sexual expression.

Beyond writing, Tanek hosts the podcast Your Kinky Friends, where he interviews artists, educators, and members of the kink and alternative lifestyle communities. The show blends humor, honesty, and education while giving a voice to people whose stories are often overlooked.

Today, Nicholas Tanek continues to write, podcast, and speak about creativity, mental health, recovery, sexuality, and unconventional life paths. Through his work, he encourages openness, resilience, and the power of storytelling as a force for connection and personal growth.