Interviewer: Your children’s book series based on your cats? How in the world did that come about?
Joseph: I was sitting in a motel room in Las Vegas. It was Christmastime, and I was missing home and my cats. I opened a blank page and wrote, “Molly was two years old, though she still looked somewhat like a kitten. It’s just that she never grew very big. Molly thought that perhaps it had something to do with her beginnings, not that she remembered very much about them. But she did recall and she even sometimes dreamed about the night that a young humancat child picked her up out of the rain and brought her to the Home and to Mother Mary.”
Well, I called my wife and read it to her on the phone. She loved it; she said, “Are you writing a story about Molly?” I told her I was going to write a Disney screenplay about Molly.
Anyhow, I ended up writing a huge manuscript with all kinds of characters and storylines, and eventually Ideals Children’s Books published Molly as a four book series. Molly, The Home, Outside and Brewster.
Interviewer: So, as an author, Molly opened some doors for you?
Joseph: Yes, most definitely. As a published author, I found myself taking part in book events all over the country. Book fairs, writers’ symposiums, book signings, speaking engagements…… I must have visited a hundred schools over five years talking about reading and Molly The Cat. It was all very rewarding. I even spoke at The Washington Press Club…… about CATS!!!
Interviewer: Where is Molly now?
Joseph: At home asleep on the couch I would say (laughter). She is now nine years old and still looks somewhat like a kitten. Actually, the series ended with those four books. I may eventually write more Molly someday or maybe Disney will call with that movie deal. I love my Molly. The amazing success of the Molly Books will always mean a lot to me. Children are so precious and these Molly Books brought me close to them, and it was a constant blessing.
Interviewer: Let’s talk about the new book. GI Joe and Lillie, published by New Leaf Press. This is a big step up for you.
Joseph: You know, it was like the Molly thing. I never set out to write children’s books about my cats. I just started writing. The story behind this book is a unique one because it all started out as just a little song.
Interviewer: The song in the Prologue?
Joseph: Yes. The Oak Ridge Boys were singing in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and we had special guests in the audience. Veterans from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Veterans Center, who included “G.I. Joe and Lillie.”
Joseph: I was sitting in a motel room in Las Vegas. It was Christmastime, and I was missing home and my cats. I opened a blank page and wrote, “Molly was two years old, though she still looked somewhat like a kitten. It’s just that she never grew very big. Molly thought that perhaps it had something to do with her beginnings, not that she remembered very much about them. But she did recall and she even sometimes dreamed about the night that a young humancat child picked her up out of the rain and brought her to the Home and to Mother Mary.”
Well, I called my wife and read it to her on the phone. She loved it; she said, “Are you writing a story about Molly?” I told her I was going to write a Disney screenplay about Molly.
Anyhow, I ended up writing a huge manuscript with all kinds of characters and storylines, and eventually Ideals Children’s Books published Molly as a four book series. Molly, The Home, Outside and Brewster.
Interviewer: So, as an author, Molly opened some doors for you?
Joseph: Yes, most definitely. As a published author, I found myself taking part in book events all over the country. Book fairs, writers’ symposiums, book signings, speaking engagements…… I must have visited a hundred schools over five years talking about reading and Molly The Cat. It was all very rewarding. I even spoke at The Washington Press Club…… about CATS!!!
Interviewer: Where is Molly now?
Joseph: At home asleep on the couch I would say (laughter). She is now nine years old and still looks somewhat like a kitten. Actually, the series ended with those four books. I may eventually write more Molly someday or maybe Disney will call with that movie deal. I love my Molly. The amazing success of the Molly Books will always mean a lot to me. Children are so precious and these Molly Books brought me close to them, and it was a constant blessing.
Interviewer: Let’s talk about the new book. GI Joe and Lillie, published by New Leaf Press. This is a big step up for you.
Joseph: You know, it was like the Molly thing. I never set out to write children’s books about my cats. I just started writing. The story behind this book is a unique one because it all started out as just a little song.
Interviewer: The song in the Prologue?
Joseph: Yes. The Oak Ridge Boys were singing in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and we had special guests in the audience. Veterans from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Veterans Center, who included “G.I. Joe and Lillie.”
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