Joe Siple
Author Interview - Joe Siple
Author of The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride
With all his family and friends gone, Murray McBride is looking for a reason to live. He finds it in Jason Cashman, a spirited 10-year-old boy with a terminal heart defect and a list of five things he wants to do before he dies. Together, they race against the limited time each has left, ticking off Jason’s wishes one by one. Along the way, Murray remembers what it’s like to be young, and Jason fights for the opportunity to grow old. But when tragedy strikes, their worlds are turned upside-down, and an unexpected gift is the only thing that can make Jason’s final wish come true. This USA Today Bestseller is sure to touch your soul.
Author Interview - Joe Siple
Author I draw inspiration from:
I've always been a huge fan of Mitch Albom, ever since my girlfriend (now wife of 23 years) and I sat in a Barnes & Noble and read Tuesdays with Morrie together. I love Albom's originality and the "fable" feel of his stories. And I love that I can point to someone's work as being somewhat similar to mine, which can be hard to label.
Author Interview - Joe Siple | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
If a bad place to read a book exists, I've yet to find it. But if I had to name a favorite, it would be in my loft at home, surrounded by bookshelves. But Bindle, my favorite coffeeshop in my hometown of Fort Collins, is a close second.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
Charlie St. Cloud, from The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood. I'm pretty sure we'd talk all about this year's Red Sox chances, what it's like to see a game at Fenway, and whether he's happy about Zac Efron's portrayal of him.
Author Interview - Joe Siple | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I was in my girlfriend's apartment (same girl) while she was in medical school. She was studying all the time and I was frequently bored. One day, I felt drawn to the computer in the corner and began writing a story. Looking back, it was terrible, but I was hooked. This was in 2001. My first book was published in 2018. That's how hooked I was!
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
I'm 100% a "physical book" guy. So I love hardbacks and paperbacks. I'm not a big fan of technology...I'm one of those (probably annoying) guys who's proud to be sentimental and nostalgic. So I've actually never read an ebook...although I do appreciate their portability whenever I pack three books in my suitcase. As for audiobooks, I love that they're the closest thing to having a book made into a movie as you can get. I also love reading my own audiobooks (I've done two of them and will be re-recording The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride when we get those rights back in December).
The last book I read:
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. I'm not usually a sci-fi guy, but my book club read it so I didn't have a choice. And I thought it was great! I don't think it converted me, but it definitely made for an interesting book club conversation.
Author Interview - Joe Siple | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
Computer, but for my current WIP, I'm writing the POV of my 72 year-old protagonist on a 1941 typewriter I bought from an antique store. I'm curious about whether the older technology will come out in the voice of the older character.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
This is probably just a reflection of my mental state at the moment, but I think I'd be best friends with the octopus in Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. That is one cool cephalopoda.
Author Interview - Joe Siple | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
My first job out of college was as the weekend sports anchor and weekday sports reporter for a small NBC affiliate. It was a fun job and perfect for that phase of my life, but I don't think it would be very conducive to my current life. I actually can't imagine being anything other than an author right now.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
1980's. Definitely the 1980's. Nothing like being able to wear neon as a straight guy...and it was cool!
Place I’d most like to travel:
I recently received dual citizenship in Luxembourg (United States is the other). I visited Luxembourg with my family and have been itching to go back ever since.
My signature drink:
I'm an Old Fashioned guy, but I'm trying to cut back (the older I get, the more even one drink messes with my sleep). But coffee? I have no issues with my mild to moderate addiction to coffee. A cozy coffeeshop with a good friend, or best of all, one of my teenage daughters? Nothing can beat that.
Favorite artist:
Eddie Vedder
Number one on my bucket list:
Seeing my book made into a movie. We're still a ways from this happening, but it's possible!
Anything else you'd like to add:
I love that people are reading and talking about the books they read. There really is no better tribe in the world than that made up of book lovers.
Find more from the author:
I've made a conscious choice not to get too deep into social media, but I recently started an author page on Facebook--Joe Siple Author.
About Joe Siple:
Author Interview - Joe Siple
Joe Siple is the author of the USA Today bestselling novel The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride, which was named Book of the Year by the Maxy Awards, won the National Indie Excellence Award (for Friendship), and was a finalist in several others. Other books in the Mr. Murray McBride Trilogy include The Final Wish of Mr. Murray McBride and The First Wish of Mr. Murray McBride. Siple lives in Fort Collins, CO. Learn more about him at joesiplebooks.com.
