Aaron Reynolds Effin' Birds Interview: Exploring the Creator’s Past, Process, and Upcoming Projects

Nick Sampson | January 8th 2026

Effin' Birds - Book by Aaron Reynolds

Epic Realms recently featured an in depth Aaron Reynolds Effin' Birds interview, giving listeners a rare look into the life and career of the creator behind one of the internet’s most recognizable comics. The episode blends humor, personal history, and behind the scenes industry insight while revealing major news about upcoming Effin' Birds projects and Reynolds’ current book deal.

For longtime fans of Effin' Birds and newcomers alike, the conversation paints a clear picture of how Aaron Reynolds built a sustainable creative career by trusting his instincts, embracing rejection, and always finding ways to entertain himself first.

Aaron Reynolds and the Origins of Effin' Birds

Aaron Reynolds, the Effin' Birds creator, grew up immersed in Canadian comedy. CBC programming, Wayne and Shuster, Kids in the Hall, and regional television like CHCH Hamilton shaped his love for absurdist humor and sketch comedy. These early influences taught him the value of timing, repetition, and visual jokes, all elements that later became central to Effin' Birds.

That humor followed him into school, where Reynolds channeled it into writing projects, puzzle pages, and elaborate pranks rather than classroom disruption. Even then, his instinct was to push formats just far enough to make people laugh while technically following the rules.

Before Effin' Birds: Photography, Baseball, and Apple

Long before Aaron Reynolds Effin' Birds became a household pairing, Reynolds lived several professional lives. He studied photography at Sheridan College, owned a photographic lab, and became deeply involved in baseball culture as a writer and photographer covering the Toronto Blue Jays.

His creative restlessness eventually led him to a long stretch working at Apple, where stability and benefits mattered more than artistic fulfillment. That chapter lasted over a decade, ending only when Effin' Birds grew large enough that the two could no longer comfortably coexist.

The Effin' Birds Rejection That Changed Everything

One of the most revealing moments in the Aaron Reynolds interview centers on the origin of Effin' Birds. Reynolds originally pitched the concept to CBC Comedy along with several other ideas. The response was not just a rejection but open disdain for the concept.

Instead of abandoning it, Reynolds launched Effin' Birds independently, expecting it to last only a couple of weeks as a proof of concept. Within two weeks, the comic was outperforming CBC Comedy’s own social media presence. That rejection in 2017 became the catalyst for a project that is now approaching its ten year anniversary.

Effin' Birds Books and the Penguin Random House Deal

Turning a daily web comic into a successful book was not simple. Multiple publishers initially declined the project. Reynolds ultimately partnered with UK publisher Unbound, using a crowdfunding model that paid for production upfront and led to strong bookstore distribution.

The success of the first Effin' Birds book attracted Penguin Random House, which initially acquired North American rights. After Unbound later collapsed financially and withheld royalties, Reynolds regained control of his work. Penguin Random House has since secured worldwide rights directly from Aaron Reynolds, excluding France where his existing publisher remains by choice.

This new book deal places Reynolds in full control of Effin' Birds publishing and marks a major financial and professional turning point.

New Effin' Birds Projects Announced on the Epic Realms Podcast

A major highlight of the Epic Realms Podcast episode is Reynolds revealing multiple new Effin' Birds projects currently in development.

Coming in fall 2026:

• A brand new Effin' Birds postcard book

Arriving in 2027:

• An Effin' Birds sticker book

• A weekly affirmations collection

• An Effin' Birds oracle deck with an original interpretive guide written by Reynolds

The oracle deck will feature substantial new writing and artwork, making it the most ambitious Effin' Birds project to date. Reynolds also shared his renewed focus on creating original, physical artwork on paper, both for personal fulfillment and future sales.

In addition, Effin' Birds Mad Libs are being developed through his calendar work. Weekend Mad Libs are appearing in the 2026, 2027, and 2028 calendars, with plans to later compile them into a standalone book.

Why Aaron Reynolds Effin Birds Continues to Grow

Nearly a decade in, Aaron Reynolds Effin Birds remains surprisingly fresh. Reynolds credits that longevity to deliberate pacing, taking breaks, changing visual styles over time, and avoiding overused joke structures. By working far ahead of schedule, he gives himself the freedom to step away without burning out.

The Epic Realms Podcast episode captures a creator who understands both the creative and business realities of modern publishing. Aaron Reynolds has built Effin Birds into a long running success not by chasing trends, but by trusting his sense of humor and adapting when systems fail him.

For fans of Effin Birds, web comics, or creator driven publishing, this Aaron Reynolds interview offers both insight and inspiration. Effin' Birds 2026 Calendar - https://amzn.to/4jnm19a

Effin' Birds 2026 Day to Day Calendar - https://amzn.to/4jnm19a

Effin' Birds Website - https://effinbirds.com/ Check out the whole interview at EpicRealmsMedia.com