I'm an award-winning reporter with nearly 30 years' experience in newspapers, magazines,
television, radio, and the Internet. My background spans nearly all beats, from the environment to sports, but with a focus
during more than a decade on the media.
I've interviewed
the likes of Rupert Murdoch, George W. Bush, Ben Bradlee and O.J. Simpson and spoken about
media issues on Fox News, MSNBC, NPR, Voice of America,
ABC News, and Sirius XM.
My writing has appeared in MediaWeek, San Francisco magazine, NJ Biz,
New Jersey Monthly, Salon.com and Poynter.org. I am currently a staff writer at
The Asbury Park Press.
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My newest book just released is A Long Walk Home, the true story of Carol Ann Farino, a pretty, popular New Jersey high school student
who was strangled to death nearly 55 years ago, and whose killer was never found.
But more than just her story, it is also the tale of
her younger sister, Cynthia,
who was 11 at the time and remains in New Jersey. She spoke to me at length about what happened to her sister, the impact
on her then and now, and how police seem to be ignoring her inquiries for information, records and help.
Many of Carol's former friends and classmates also offered clues and
insight into this brutal crime that appears to have been poorly investigated and has impacted this community for decades.
You can
get the book now at Amazon and other outlets, or if you email me at the contact below I am glad
to send a signed copy
I recently appered on One on One with Steve Adubato on PBS to discuss
the book. See it HERE.
Asbury Park Press
Columnist Jerry Carino highlighted Carol's murder, the book and the impact of the tragedy on her sister, Cynthia, in a recent column.
The Record of North
Jersey offered a great take from media columnist Jim Beckerman.
Patch.com offered a post on the book and story as well.
Early reviews:
“A Long Walk Home pulls
the reader through, particularly with a late scene that speeds the pulse. We learn how every violent taking of human life
sends out ripples that last lifetimes. I found this mystery from my usually peaceful town fascinating, especially as we
face another tragic, as-yet-unsolved murder.”
Tina Kelley, co-author of Almost Home: Helping Kids
Move from Homelessness to Hope.
"For those who like true crime but don't know
this stretch of New Jersey, and for those who know New Jersey and don't read much true crime, here's a book that will satisfy
your tastes -- old and new."
Marc Aronson, author of Four Streets and a Square: A History of Manhattan
and the New York Idea
"Joe Strupp
has an eye for stories that have gone mostly untold, an ear for the way the players in those stories might speak if given
the chance, and the tools to bring those stories to light with heart and insight. 'A Long Walk Home,' his account of
a murder that has haunted his community for over fifty years, shines meaningful light on the life and death of a young woman
whose murder has never been solved.... True crime, well and truly told."
Daniel Paisner, author of
"A Single Happened Thing"
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I'm very excited to share news that my first novel has been published by Amarna Books and Media of Maplewood, NJ.
The Crookedest Street follows
the ins and outs of politicians and journalists in San Francisco of the 1990's. I spent most of that decade covering the City by the Bay and penned this fictional account.
The book tells the story of Billy Dale, San Francisco's cunningest, dirtiest, and most successful
political consultant. A hard-bitten, gay, ex-New Yorker, he reaches his sweetest victory on Election Day 1991 when former
police chief Jack Callahan wins an underdog race for mayor.
The
book is available at Amazon.com, as well as other book outlets.
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My last freelance piece was published in New Jersey Monthly.
It is an in-depth look at the American National Catholic Church, which launched
10 years ago in Glen Ridge, N.J., and now boasts three parishes in the Garden State and 10 in seven states overall.
The alternative church follows all Catholic sacraments, but with a more welcoming approach
to gay members, gay and female priests, married clergy, and transgendered parishioners. They also require background checks
on all priests.
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My previous book, Killing Journalism: How Greed, Laziness (And Donald Trump) Are Destroying News And How We Can
Save It, is published by Willow Street Press and is on Amazon.com.
It's an in-depth look at the real problems
with today's news media -- from staff cutbacks and 24/7 demands for content to reduced advertising revenue, less support for
press legal defense and fewer in-house watchdogs to keep the news fair and honest.
And, of course, the impact of Donald Trump's constant war on the press and
false claims of "fake news."
PBS
NewsHour legend Jim Lehrer calls it "a book for anyone who cares
about the past, present and future of a free press in our democratic society."
Order it online at Amazon.com HERE.
See
more on the book, highlights from its findings, and what other media observers are saying about it HERE.
See my appearance on C-SPAN's
Book TV HERE.
Read the great review
in The Star-Ledger of New Jersey HERE
Read the extensive Q & A with
Media Matters for America HERE.
Find out about my
upcoming book signing appearances HERE.
Check out my media
appearances discussing the book HERE.
See
my presentation and Q & A at Norwalk Library HERE.
See my Star-Ledger
Op-Ed on related issues HERE.
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I have also branched out into teaching with media-related courses at Fairleigh Dickinson
University and Rutgers University, as well as my own services as a writing coach and reporting advisor. See more on those
options HERE.
See some examples of
my previous work below and find out how to hire me for most any news reporting, writing, editing or newsroom advisory project.
Club Teams Impact Little Leagues - Joe reports on the growing impact of private travel teams on local youth leagues for NJ Monthly.
Read 
Health Centers Grow -
Joe's first story for Shelterforce magazine looks at the increase in community housing
health centers. See 
Flint water and the media failure: Joe tells
how the national media missed the Flint water story. 
Joe Profiles WDHA Radio: Joe's latest New Jersey Monthly piece on the
state's oldest rock station. 
Joe Interviews Ron Reagan: The youngest son of President Reagan speaks out against
Bill O'Reilly's new book on his father. Read 
Joe interviewed by HuffPost Live: The Huffington Post daily
webcast discussed recent Bill O'Reilly lies with Joe. See 
Watergate Figure John Dean speaks with Joe: The former White House
counsel discusses today's comparisons to the 1972 scandal. Read 
Joe breaks news of NOW call for George Will ouster: When the
Natl. Org. for Women urged Will's firing, they told Joe first. Read 
Joe leads reporting on CNN/Newt disclosure issue. Joe broke the first
word from CNN on its Newt Gingrich policy, then revealed it was broken and changed.
Joe breaks story on Sally Quinn/Howard Kurtz feud. Washington Post columnist Sally Quinn gave Joe her first angry comments about Kurtz's voyeuristic
Joe's latest NJ Monthly piece on Montclair State's media program. 
Joe Reveals Secret Payments From Freedomworks To Glenn Beck. Joe broke the story that Freedomworks, a top conservative group that helped start the Tea Party,
paid Glenn Beck $1 million annually for positive press. Former Freedomworks Chair Dick Armey disclosed it 
Joe investigates right-wing group. The investigation into the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity exposed
the group's right-wing financial ties as it expands coverage of state government to influence voters and legislation. The
piece was a Mirror Awards finalist. Read more 
Joe explores the re-birth of
New Jersey public television. Read Joe's NJ Monthly 
Joe interviews New York Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson. The first women editor of the grey lady weighed in on her job, coverage and the paper's
future. Read it 
Joe Looks at the Ups and Downs of PATCH Online News Sites.
Joe
on Union Edge Radio. Joe discussed his 
