6 Questions for a San Marino Local: Cliff Shiepe

While in the end stages of writing his first novel, San Marino resident Cliff Shiepe sought help from mother. 

“I just thought what if I’ve been working these last ten years and the book isn’t any good?” said Shiepe. “My mother looked at me and said, ‘It will become something when it’s done.’” 

Shiepe’s hard work is now the 246 page novel, Cliff Falls. Released in 2010, the novel centers on a former 80’s child star that runs into the past he’s spent his life running from.

A former Disney employee, Shiepe was always fascinated with child stars and the difference he noticed between the young actors onstage and off.

“I was always interested in how we consume child stars,” said the author. “We consume them when they grow up and we consume them when they mess up.”

Originally envisioned as TV pilot and later a feature film, Shiepe spent 6 years trying to sell the project to different studios, including Showtime and USA Network. A producer from Walden Media read his screenplay and advised Shiepe to turn the project into a book.

“I persevered and stuck with it,” said Shiepe. “Good things happen when you stick with it.”

Shiepe spent four years transforming Cliff Falls into a novel. At the end of the process, Shiepe would fill up on several venti cups of coffee a day and travel 45 minutes away to a “lucky” Starbucks near Los Angeles International Airport.

The novel is now in 30 independent bookstores without a distributor – topping the  independent book sales list at Vroman’s in Pasadena. The USC alumnus was also invited to sign copies of Cliff Falls at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books earlier this month. While Shiepe was originally invited to Saturday’s event, the festival invited him back Sunday to sign additional copies.

Shiepe says the community of San Marino has been very supportive of the book and his success.

“People are so excited for me,” said Shiepe. “They feel so connected to the book. They’re cheering me on.”

Shiepe shares his thoughts on the community he grew up in.

What do you like most about San Marino?

It’s a beautiful city. Everything is landscaped perfectly. Not only are the houses magnificent, but so are the trees and flowers.

What is your favorite restaurant in San Marino?

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What is your favorite place in San Marino to take a stroll or go for a run?

I like the stairs outside Lacy Park. They're hidden--but they make an excellent workout. 

What is a little known fact about you?

I acted on soap operas.

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Cookies and cream.

What advice do you have for young authors?

Put your heart into the project and stay with it.

Cliff Falls is available for purchase on Amazon. Digital copies are also available for purchase on Kindle and The Nook. Shiepe will on Thursday, May 26 at in La Canada Flintridge from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.