An Interview with Christian J. Farber
Having served a rewarding corporate career, Chris has been enjoying retirement at the Jersey Shore with his wife, Susan, and their three sons. In retirement, his energy and enthusiasm are now directed toward giving back to people in ways that are near to his heart. As a prostate cancer survivor, Chris is dedicated to educating men about the disease and providing consolation, support, and advice through his writing. He also covers alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, and career success.
Chris is a featured and contributing author on many social media platforms, including The Good Men Project, Huffington Post, and Thrive Global. Currently, Chris is publishing his first book, Creaks From My Rails, in 2026, a collection of poetic retellings of famous stories. His memoir is due in 2027, A Lifetime of Yesterdays, about how he managed the hard things in life: success, abuse, alcohol, cancer, and MS. Chris is an active blogger on his website, farberisms.com.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
I started writing a long time ago. I have always read a lot of books. Some say I am well-read but I never really thought of myself that way. For a long time, I was afraid to share my thoughts. I was able to overcome this, having grown up in an abusive household, with my own personal struggles with mental illness, and with alcohol addiction. Cancer and multiple sclerosis only added to what I feel in my newfound freedom through writing. An editor told me I was a fearless writer. I wear it as a badge of honor.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
The highlights of my career were serving as CMO (chief marketing officer) at large companies such as State Street Bank and at several start-ups. All were in Wall Street-related technology firms. I had success in my career despite problems that could have easily derailed others. I made it in a field that all but required advanced degrees from notable universities. I went to a small, no-name school in PA. I often say I went to an ok college and did ok, which is accurate. I held my own by working hard and making myself smarter through reading.
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
It was a surprisingly short period. I actually made the image first, then the title. I have a rocking chair that makes a comforting creaking noise when you sit in it, so that is where the name comes from. I affectionally refer to the book as ‘Creaks.’
What part of publishing your book made it feel real for the first time?
When my editor said she had finished the manuscript, it signaled she had completed my project, so I should consider myself done, too. That was the first step. When you see your cover, your words, your effort live on the screen or, more notably, on a page in a physical book, it adds to the ‘I did it’ feeling every time.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
Ironically, I describe myself as an ekphrastic writer. In short, that means I am motivated to write by art. My art is music, which I am a huge fan of. While I have never experienced writer’s block, I cannot write without music, if that makes sense. The sad part about my love of music is how I came to be attracted to it. I grew up in an abusive household. The noise of arguing drove me to music in my little bedroom above the kitchen. I listened to music to drown out the screaming and yelling coming from down below. It’s how I would pass the time.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
The stories are written by the original authors, not by me. They had the real magic. I would hope that some people realize the value of reading. It truly is the best way to get smart. Einstein said reading fairy tales makes you smart. I say reading almost anything will make you smarter, especially poetry. I believe he was a smart guy; I’m happy to build on his work.
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
Once complete and shared with the world, I said out loud, “I did it.” I remember learning to ride a two-wheeled bike over sixty years ago from a kid in our neighborhood. He told me what to do, gave me a push, and I rode over the front yard, off the curb, and onto the street. He followed me on his bike. I screamed, “I did it.” Creaks had the same feeling for me. And it still feels that way now, two months later.
What creative projects are you currently working on?
I am working on a follow-on book called Myth to Words. Together, these stories explore how they evolve into language and how language shapes understanding. Each figure begins as a myth, becomes a metaphor, and ultimately becomes part of everyday speech. The collection would invite readers to consider how inherited words carry traces of earlier meanings, and how those meanings continue to influence how we see ourselves and others.
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