About the Author

Hi there!

I’m Michael Jared Stirpe. Not Stripe, Not Stir-up, Not Stirpey, but Stirpe. It’s a lot like chirp, but replace the “ch” with an “st”. Yeah, just like that. Great job! By the way thank you so much for reading my stories or even just thinking about reading my stories! It means so much to me and I hope they bring you joy. Now I guess I’ll tell you a little about myself.

I was born in Syracuse, NY, but I grew up in Morrisville Pennsylvania right across the river from Trenton and right up route 95 from Philadelphia. I spent a lot of time riding my bike all over the place, fishing in the Delaware Canal, bowling with my friends, and of course being a Pennsbury student. I also became obsessed with Where’s Waldo and memorized every gag and secret on each page of the books I owned. Bill Peet and Dr. Seuss were also popular choices growing up in my home.

Eventually, I moved to Philadelphia proper and got to experience just what an incredible city it is. The music, the unending variety of food, and the truly beautiful streets that always impress when the snow starts falling or the leaves change color. I was lucky enough to live in Fishtown as it continued to grow and later spent some time in Mt Airy. The tall trees, beautiful homes, and inviting community in Mt Airy made it an almost magical place to call home. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community it’s always a good feeling driving through your neighborhood and seeing signs of support and love on every block.

I could tell you about how I rediscovered my love for fishing, how I’ve become a pretty good gardener, and about all the other things that help make me me. But you’re really here for my writing, so why do I write? Honestly, I write because it makes me smile to see something silly on the page that I pulled out of my own imagination. I love it when a rhyme comes together in an unexpected way and I get to tell myself, “hey Mike, that’s a pretty good one.” I like clever things, goofy things, weird and unexpected things. I love the idea that what makes me smile might be making someone else smile too. That’s really all there is to it. I want to write stories and poems that keep a smile on your face from start to finish.