Bio

Welcome to the edgy worlds of Joseph Cillo, Jr.

Joseph Cillo, Jr. writes edgy fiction in a variety of genres. Whether it's a supernatural thriller like his graphic novel, 'Blind Prophet' or a comedy like the 2019 Illumination Book Award Bronze Medal winner, 'Merry Friggin' Christmas: An Edgy Christmas Comedy', his work features unexpected plot twists, unique characters, and the highest of stakes.

The added dimension of the supernatural infuses his work with stakes that go beyond life and death, and into the eternal. There is a basic, Catholic moral viewpoint behind his work that gives a solid foundation to what might otherwise be seen as purely fantastical. The reading experience can at times be unnerving, as the reader is drawn to consider whether the mystical nature of his tales is nearer to reality than the plainly material experiences of life. The eternal consequences of choices made by characters and spiritual dimensions of actions made clearly visible are mindbending and thought-provoking.

Joseph Cillo, Jr. classifies his writing as "Edgy Catholic Fiction." Edgy Catholic Fiction is generally written for adult audiences, at minimum teens and up. The grouping crosses genres and includes a perspective that is generally consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church, which may include rather dramatic supernatural elements, as in "The Exorcist," or other less dramatic religious elements, which could be as simple as characters relying on prayer. The religious elements may not be overt and could well lie only in the author's general perspective or a character's perspective that there is a God, and a moral, immutable foundation to the universe.

For more information, please check out www.edgycatholic.com

Examples of Edgy Catholic literature lie strewn throughout genres which no one has grouped together. Literary masters such as Graham Greene, Flannery O'Connor, J.R.R. Tolkien, and even, C.S. Lewis, who though not Catholic, was consistent with the Catholic perspective in his fiction, wrote works that fall into the Edgy Catholic domain. Dean Koontz, whose supernatural and suspense thrillers are written from a Catholic perspective and are quite edgy, is a more contemporary example of an Edgy Catholic author.

Joseph Cillo, Jr. is the fourth of seven children, born within a year of his older sister in a most unplanned and yet welcome way. Having the great blessings of a loving family, however, did not prevent his drift into a sort of foolhardy extended adolescence for many years, broken only by suffering and illness, in a rather miraculous fashion. He now lives a life of quiet prayer and diligent work.

For more on Blind Prophet, check out www.blindprophetcomic.com

Genres

Humor & Entertainment
Paranormal
Science Fiction
Spiritual/Religious
Thriller
Women's Fiction

Free Book Giveaways

EXCLUSIVE

When the Wood Is Dry: An Edgy Catholic Thriller

"...a chilling, unpredictable, fascinating story..."

A crime thriller, with a strong, female lead and a religious/supernatural twist.

"Sometimes we must suffer if we are to save souls."

Jesus' words echo in a dream to Lali Russo, a seventeen-year-old Catholic school girl.

Lali wakes and asks, "Why that dream again?"

Lali Russo is called to walk a path of suffering that she struggles to understand. Praying at an abortion clinic, she encounters the pregnant girlfriend of a notorious gang leader. She confronts the girl's boyfriend, the ruthless Ralo, as he sharpens his machete.

"Go away, little girl, this is no’ ju beesness."

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When the Wood Is Dry: I. Call of the Innocent

"Sometimes we must suffer if we are to save souls."
Jesus' words echo in a recurring dream to Lali Russo, a seventeen-year-old Catholic school girl.
Lali wakes and asks, "Why that dream again?"
Two thousand years ago, the scourged and bloody form of a man who claimed to be God carried the wood on which he would be crucified. Coming upon some distraught women, He says, "Women of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but for yourselves and your children. For if these things are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"
The novel, When the Wood Is Dry by Joseph Cillo, Jr., attempts to answer this question.

Published in 3 parts. Part I is FREE. Part II is difficult with disturbing violence, so you can skip that and read the synopsis in Part III. Contains profanity,

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Merry Friggin' Christmas: An Edgy Christmas Comedy

2019 Illumination Book Awards Bronze Medalist!

"A funny book about Christmas and a dead comedy man..."

Based on The Life of Carlton St. Michael, the NUMBER ONE TOP RATED show on the URN!

So, who is Carlton St. Michael?

Carlton St. Michael is an up-and-coming atheist stand-up comic on the verge of fame and fortune. The only problem is, he's dead. Actually, twice dead. Caught dead in Jersey. Twice.

And, his life story has become the number one top-rated show on the Undying Rerun Network (URN).

A Christmas Comedy, of all things.

But Carlton isn't buying any of it. He's out to prove it's all some near-death hallucination that will fade to black when he really dies, or vanish when he awakes.

Don't wait to see it on the URN. You have to be dead...

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