A Bit About Me — I was born in January 1946. After serving five years in the Army, including two years in Vietnam, I was fortunate to return home in one piece and with a sound mind.

Following my military service, I worked in medical sales and sales management, eventually becoming an independent entrepreneur and founding a nationwide consulting company. I spent 35 years conducting seminars across the country.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should explain my pen name, Joseph Stanley. My full name is Joseph Stanley Suchocki. My father’s name, Stanley, is the origin of my middle name. So, in honor of my father, I use Joseph Stanley as my pen name.

My youthful days were a chaotic blend of ethnic stubbornness and the rebellious influence of the sixties as I tried to find myself. That mixture often left us at odds. Unfortunately, I lost him before I matured and achieved business success. I know he is looking down and is as proud as I am to have our names together in my literary endeavors.

How I Began Writing — Late in life, I discovered my passion for being a writer and a teller of stories, emotions, and dreams. My journey began with writing free verse as part of therapy to overcome severe depression while facing retirement and significant changes in my life. My therapist recommended daily journaling, leading me to write free verse and eventually to stories and novels. Little did I know I would evolve into a storyteller and a published author.

Where Am I Today? — To date (2025), I have published a book of free verse, My Verse, and the first romantic thriller, Collective Vengeance, in my trilogy, The Vengeance Series. The second book, Counter Vengeance, is a work in progress with hopes of publishing in early 2026.

My Verse — This is my collection of free verse that launched my writing ambitions to become a published author. My Verse contains free verse poems with personal reflections, which are my interpretations of what I wrote, why I wrote it, and what it meant in my life’s journey.

You will find many references to Patty, my life partner and spouse. She has always been there through my ups and downs and my growth as a person. To this day, she is my inspiration, my advocate, my collaborator, and the love of my life. Together, we continue our life’s journey.

See my Story INSIGHTS for excerpts from My Verse and my audio commentaries.