Photo of Andrew McCarthy provided by Pekin Public Library.

It’s less than a month away and excitement is already building for actor, director, and writer Andrew McCarthy’s appearance at the Pekin Public Library.

McCarthy, best known for films such as “Weekend at Bernie’s,” “Mannequin,” “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “Pretty In Pink,” and “Less Than Zero” will be having a book signing and talk at the library on Monday, Aug. 12.

In recent years, McCarthy has received acclaim as a travel writer, working as an editor-at-large for “National Geographic Travel” magazine and releasing the 2012 memoir “The Longest Way Home.”

McCarthy said travel changed his life in many ways and it was something he was interested in writing about.

“Then it just kind of took off on its own accord. The transformative power of travel and its effect on people is something I really believe in,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy said travel shouldn’t just be about a simple vacation, but a journey of important things that will stay and resonate with a person.

“Traveling really just tapped into a part of me. I know some people think it’s an odd combination with me coming from the film world to this now,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy said walking across Spain started the whole journey as it had a huge effect on him and with each subsequent trip, he found he wanted to continue because he found the world to be a very interesting place.

“I’ve been to the Sahara desert and Patagonia. I plunked myself down in Somalian culture. Really, I will go anywhere. Some places I want to stay longer than others. It’s not just where you go, but how we respond to the surroundings,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy added he just returned from Calcutta, India after not traveling for a while.

McCarthy said although “The Longest Way Home” is sometime dubbed a travel book, he doesn’t consider it one at all.

He said he hopes those who love him for his film work can find something in themselves in his literary work.

“It’s really much more a memoir about coming to terms with this notion of intimacy and how do we live with it. One reporter asked if it was a midlife crisis book and I hope it’s the opposite,” McCarthy said.

“I don’t need the red convertible and a 22-year-old hottie to fully realize my life. I do that by traveling,” he added with a laugh.

McCarthy said he considers the book an internal exploration.

“I have kids and it’s terrible loving them so much. You love them so much it’s an awful thing. How do you reconcile and live with that? Everyone’s circumstances are different, but ultimately it’s about wanting to show up, but how do you show up?” McCarthy said.

McCarthy said he remembers feeling like a failure at the end of his first film, “Class,” which was released in 1983.

“I didn’t know anything. I was feeling disappointed it was over and afraid I wouldn’t have a chance to do another one. I was 19,” McCarthy said.

Not long after that, McCarthy, part of a group of young Hollywood actors nicknamed “The Brat Pack,” had one hit movie after another.

Today, McCarthy said young Hollywood is of no interest to him.

“I don’t know who a single person is. I wouldn’t know them if I saw them or if you said their name. I don’t pay attention,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy said nowadays everyone is trying to be famous, while he and his peers were just focused on doing a good job.

“We weren’t as savvy or media sharp like they are now. Just look at the difference between the Oscar speeches of Jennifer Lawrence and Anne Hathaway. Jennifer was so human and real. Anne was lovely, but too polished and she got backlash,” McCarthy said, struggling to remember both actresses’ names.

McCarthy said he directed an episode of “Gossip Girl” and all the actors wanted him to share stories about his heydays from the 80’s and 90’s movie scene.

“I said to them that they must be having an amazing time now too and they said not really. Any move they make is captured on a cell phone or posted on Facebook etcetera. I’m very glad it didn’t exist in my 20’s because there was stuff we did I wouldn’t want out there,” McCarthy said.

“At the time, we thought the spotlight on us was too intense, but we had no idea what it would be like today,” he added.

McCarthy said the Hollywood game is intense now because the shelf life is so much shorter.

“It’s just like how people used to want to be a good chef. Now, they would rather be a famous chef and they want to get their own cooking show or go on something like ‘Top Chef.’ For actors, it used to be about just getting the next good job,” McCarthy said.

Next up for McCarthy is more time behind the camera, directing episodes of a new Netflix TV series, “Orange Is the New Black,” about life in a women’s prison.

“It’s very quirky and funny and disturbing. It’s the same sensibility that ‘Weeds’ has and full of a bunch of character actresses. It’s not a show that I’ve seen before or can compare something to,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy said he is looking forward to meeting everyone at the library event because he considers the role of author much more revealing than talking about movies or television.

“It’s a very naked feeling or experience, but rewarding in a certain way. There is nowhere to hide because it’s all on the page. You can’t act a certain way because you’re talking about a movie role or something. It’s you, not a character,” McCarthy said.

“The signings are always fun. It’s a mix of things because I talk about the book, traveling and acting, and people get to ask questions. It’s a fun free-for-all chat,” he added.

“An Evening with Author Andrew McCarthy” – sponsored by Friends of the Library – will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12.

A Q&A will follow and he will be available to sign books after his presentation.

The library is now offering 50 reserved tickets for $5 which guarantees a seat in the first three rows and a priority spot in the book signing line.

Tickets are available at the library’s checkout desk or by calling 309-347-7111.