The Clerk is a persona of S.N. Petro, a technical writer who incorporates elements of their life experiences into their stories, drawing from a stint in the Air Force, their time as a personal trainer and bodybuilding competitor, as well as experiences with parenthood and relationships. They also reflect on societal ills. Their favorite writing topics include human mental and physical strength, speculation about the afterlife, unpopular opinions, and examining underdogs and villains from an empathetic perspective.