Joe Esposito, Author
Born and raised in Williamsburg, Brooklyn—long before it became a trendy enclave—Joe Esposito was an insatiable reader from a young age. He’d sneak books off his older brother’s shelves until he could afford to buy his own, captivated by stories and the power they held. Working in his father's catering business from the age of twelve instilled in him values that shaped much of his life: work hard, play hard, and always give your best, honest effort.
Though he didn’t pursue a writing career early on, Joe's creative spark was lit in college while scribbling some rather questionable poetry. Still, something in the process resonated deeply—a way to process the world, emotions, and experiences. That urge to express never truly left him. Over the years, it simmered quietly under the surface, waiting.
Relocating to Florida nearly two decades ago, Joe built a career as a 911 Dispatcher. The job brought him face-to-face with the raw, painful edges of humanity—tragedy, loss, vulnerability, and sometimes hope. Then, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a wave of personal grief struck. Losing several family members and friends back in New York, Joe came to a powerful realization: waiting for the "right time" to pursue your calling was a mistake. Life was too fragile, too fleeting.
With renewed purpose, Joe began to write—seriously and passionately—channeling his memories, insights, and reflections into stories meant to connect, uplift, and inspire. His debut novel, The Painted Sand, is a culmination of that journey.
Today, Joe lives in Florida with his wife, their youngest daughter, four cats, and a loyal dog. He splits his time between writing his next novel, experimenting in the kitchen, and exploring the many corners of Florida, always observing, always imagining, always writing.
In My Words
The Reason I Write
Sometimes an image or an idea comes to mind while I'm doing something, or just out and about daydreaming. Something sparks. It gets my attention. The simple act of writing the thought down or describing the image fans that spark into flames. Writing fuels it, and nothing burns hotter, or with a more exhilarating rush, than a mind caught in creativity's flames. What a way to feel alive.
On Storytelling
Storytelling connects us in ways not readily seen until the story's over. Then there's this 'ah-ha' moment...and we smile together. We get it. It's because no one writes in a vacuum. We write with a world to thank for our efforts, a world of human experience that connects us in ways too few imagine. Stories bring us closer to one another, for what better way is there to share of ourselves than through stories we tell.
What Keeps Me Going
I've spent the greater portion of my life working for others, and I'm proud of what I've accomplished. However, I don't want to spend what's left not doing things that truly move me. Writing a novel is like ending a relationship; when you finally write the words "The End", it hurts for all the same reasons, but you also know you can't wait to fall in love all over again.