Len Joy
Len Joy is the award-winning author of the novels, American Past Time (2014), Better Days (2018) and Everyone Dies Famous (August 2020). He is a nationally ranked triathlete and competes internationally representing the United States as part of TEAM USA.
Joy published his first novel when he was 63 and ran in his first Ironman when he was 61 years old. A nationally ranked triathlete, he competes internationally representing the United States as part of TEAM USA.
Everyone Dies Famous is a story from the heartland about the uncommon lives of everyday people. A moving narrative that takes place on a single day, it explores characters coming to terms with the hand they have been dealt.
Twitter: @len_joy
Is there a genre of music that influences your writing/thinking? Do you listen to music while you write?
My favorite playlist when I’m running includes anything by Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Springsteen, The Eagles, Lyle Lovett, Rosanne Cash, and Meat Loaf. I guess I like songs that tell a story, or spark an emotional vibe. When I was writing my second novel, I had a Springsteen song, “Glory Days,” in my head and that was going to be the title. But when I finished, I realized the story was more in-sync with his song, “Better Days,” so that’s how I titled the book.
I opened the novel with an epigram of the lines from the song about sitting around waiting for your life to begin while it’s all just slipping away. My publisher said he wasn’t going to pay for the rights to use those lines, but I wanted them, so I contacted Springsteen’s lawyers and they licensed it to me for $200. I thought that was pretty cool of Bruce.
The title of my new novel, EVERYONE DIES FAMOUS was inspired by the Miranda Lambert song, “Everybody Dies Famous in a Small Town”. I didn’t have to license that.
Favorite non-reading activity?
I started trying to be a competitive triathlete the same time I started trying to be a writer. That was about twenty years ago. Six days a week, I get up at 5 a.m. (4:45 in the summer) and either swim, bike, run, or do a strength workout. I don’t have a real job, so I guess those fun activities are a substitute. What I really like though, is when I’m done exercising for the day. The actual workouts often suck.
Have you ever experienced Imposter Syndrome?
I didn’t want to answer this question because everyone else answered it. But a few years ago I was called for jury duty in Cook County Criminal Court. It was a double homicide. I was in the first panel called. The judge was a no-bullshit Southsider. He was in a hurry to get the jury selected.
His opening question for everyone was, “What do you do?” Damn. Do I say I’m trying to be a writer? My jury pay will be more than I’ve made as a writer so far. Maybe I should tell him what I used to do? Or just say I’m unemployed. He didn’t like the long-winded answers of the guy just before me, so when it came to my turn, I took a deep breath and said, “I’m a writer.” He excused me.
What brings you great joy?
I’m a lifelong Cubs fan and I suffered through many heartbreaking losses, so when the Cubs finally won the World Series in 2016, I experienced great joy.
What do you worry about?
I wanted to have fun with these questions and just say that I worry that the Cubs will never win another World Series, but there is too much stuff I am legitimately worried about to leave it at that.
I’m worried about all the young folks, like my son and daughters, who are just starting out on their careers, trying to make it in a world that is shutdown and reeling. I am worried for all those small businesses who can’t survive at half capacity.
I’m worried about the growing intolerance for free speech.
I could say more, but I won’t.
