Living the Writer's Life:
Joseph Ciccanti
By Mindy McHorse

As a man with multiple interests and a keen sense of duty toward his family, Joseph Ciccanti has found that writing is unquestionably his ideal profession. Not only has it given him a way to bridge his interests and professional training with an enjoyable way to make an income, but it also serves up time to delve into gratitude and self-care. As a result, he enjoys peace, balance, and the ability to make time for those who matter.

How did you end up here, pursuing the life of a Barefoot Writer?

Joseph particularly enjoys the flexibility
of getting to work from home
on a schedule of his choosing.

I learned about Barefoot Writer through another program called the Ultimate Travel Writer’s Program. This was 2018. I went through that course and had a number of travel articles published. I continued to pursue my writing career from there, taking AWAI courses and pursuing writing career goals. I’m really grateful for it all.

I also chose this lifestyle because I like variety and it’s best that I have a flexible schedule. For example, my wife doesn’t drive, so she needs me to take her different places. Plus we have a toddler now. It really helps to have this kind of schedule when I’m trying to take care of their needs, which is important to me.

What kind of writing do you focus on now?

I felt called toward the self-publishing route, and I’m almost ready to publish my first e-book. My intention is to write a series of e-books on my niche topic, which is the Christian market, where I’m passionate about helping people.

I have an MDiv degree; I’m a graduate from seminary. So I’d like to use my training in chaplaincy, grief support, everything I’ve been involved in, to help people along in their grief journeys and any struggles they may have in their faith. I know there definitely is a target audience for that.

I also write for a radio station. I do a lot of content writing online through the social media posts and blogs and website. That allows me to have a remote work opportunity on a consistent basis. And scheduling is flexible. There’s no real deadline or time frame that’s rigid or strict. So I’m able to do the work from just about anywhere, anytime I can fit it in.

When you were first getting started after you pivoted from the travel writing program, did you have any big challenges in getting your name out there and getting your first clients?

I think because the field is so vast and I have a tendency to want to have my hand in all these different areas, I had a bit of “shiny objects syndrome” and pursued a lot of different paths at one time. It slowed me down considerably. So I’ve been moving faster, having really focused on niche areas and on certain types of writing where I’m strongest and am most passionate about.

What other rewards do you enjoy in your writer’s life besides flexibility and family time?

I’d say spirituality and self-care. The times I can just go out for a jog and enjoy nature — I wouldn’t really be able to do that with a rigid schedule. A lot of people do work during daylight hours, and I can use those hours for quiet reflection, reading things that are healthy for my spirit. I really try to pursue balance in everything.

How has AWAI helped push you forward in your writing career?

I’m really just excited about everything I’ve learned from AWAI over the years and from the courses I’ve taken with Russ Henneberry and others. I can apply those principles to what I’m doing, not only through the writing aspect, but the marketing aspect as well, to be successful in my field. I’m not only writing e-books; I’m also building a website that I’m going to be monetizing. I’ve taken Nick Usborne’s course on moneymaking websites; I’ve taken Bob Bly’s course on e-books. It’s a process, but I’m not focused on outcomes right now.

One major thing I learned was to really focus on one niche, and that’s something I can definitely appreciate now as I focus on one or two specific areas within the Christian industry. I say that because the moneymaking website plus the e-books sort of supplement each other.

What kind of advice would you give yourself if you could talk with yourself before you discovered writing?

I would say don’t sell yourself short. Look at all the opportunities that are out there. Find your passion, and really pursue those opportunities. Don’t let any discouragement hold you back.