Author Cliff “C.B.” Shiepe’s personal story is as compelling—and inspiring—as his novel. Overcoming adversity to help himself and others.
His award-winning novel – Cliff Falls – reaches a broad audience and resonates with readers who had gone over the falls in their own lives. Healing hearts in profound ways. Shiepe has garnered much media attention, appearing on NBC, PBS, TBN, Hour of Power, in Guideposts Magazine, at the LA Times Festival of Books, and at speaking engagements across the country, including the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, CA, where actors performed scenes from his novel. His audiobook, read by Tony-winner Santino Fontana, was nominated for an Audie for Best Faith-Based Audiobook of the Year. He was a recent guest on America’s Hope with Kelly Wright in New York and the podcast Our American Stories with Lee Habeeb.
In June 2025, Cliff Falls (2010) celebrated 15 years and is the best-selling independent book at many bookstores, including famed Vroman’s Bookstore where it all started. And locally, the city of Arcadia chose it as their One Community, One Book selection and spent a year celebrating it.
A coveted speaker, Cliff travels the country. “I’ve spoken at colleges, recovery centers, rotary and book clubs, and you know what? When it comes to the hurt and healing, we are all the same. At the end of the day, the reason I spend so much time on the road is because the message of hope helps people embrace their inherent value and self-worth. The stories I could tell you would break your heart and that is the reason I keep moving forward.”
“This is a story about a man taking control of his life and destiny,” said Allison K. Hill, CEO of the American Booksellers Association. “An inspirational story by an equally inspirational author.”
At age 26, Cliff became ill with a mysterious, multi-year health crisis that landed him in bed with little more to do than write. With fevers of 107, he saw 70 doctors over seven years. Everything he put his identity was taken away. Ultimately, he had to do a ten-day, water-only fast to kill a bacterium in his system. Yet it was in the midst of this trial that God gave him a redemptive message that is now reaching thousands of people around the world.
Cliff Falls was part of his restoration and was years in the making. It took several incarnations. Looking back, he never asked himself if he could write a novel, a screenplay, or a television series. He just did, and learned along the way, starting a publishing company to boot. Belief is a powerful thing.
The future is bright. In 2026 and 2027, Shiepe will release two new books: The Last Mission (fiction) and The Last Box (non-fiction)
Also in 2026, pre-production begins for the film adaptation of Cliff Falls. Former Walden Media founding executive, Chip Flaherty, is producing along with Shiepe (under his Cliff Falls Media banner). The screenplay, which Shiepe wrote himself, is complete and they move from development to pre-production by late 2026.
C.B. Shiepe graduated from the University of Southern California (’91) and started his career in production for The Walt Disney Company. C.E.O of Cliff Falls Media, Inc., Shiepe develops creative content that explores who we are and how we are connected to God and each other. Understanding that “at one time or another we all go over the falls,” he writes and speaks to an intergenerational audience about the Cliff Falls experience. “It’s one thing to believe in something when you don’t need it to be true. It’s another when everything is riding on it.”
Above all, he thanks the One who has seen him through. “After you have suffered a little while, He Himself will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” – 1 Peter 5:10. Whatever that looks like, he’s game.
Fun Facts:
2020: Audie Award Nomination (as Producer): “Best Faith-Based Audiobook of the Year.” Cliff Falls: The Missing Pieces narrated by Tony-Winner Santino Fontana. In a category with Joel Osteen, Beth Moore and Rev. Run from Run D.M.C. *Audie is the industry award for audiobooks.
2011/2012: One Community, One Book: City of Arcadia Selection: A yearlong celebration of Cliff Falls, culminating with an event with a panel of students and adults impacted by the novel and a performance by Arcadia High School Drama Department acting out scenes from the book.
2010-2025: Best of the Best: “The Best Selling Independently Published Book in the 140 years history at Vroman’s Bookstore.” For 15 years, Cliff Falls (2010), and now Cliff Falls: The Missing Pieces (2020), continues to sellout several times a year.
2010-2025: Recognized as “The Best Novel on the Former Child Star Syndrome” by Paul Petersen, founder of A Minor Consideration and Jeff from The Donna Reed Show. *A Minor Consideration is the industry advocate organization for former child stars.
"C.B. Shiepe has found that the worst of times can create the best in a person. CLIFF FALLS has had marked success. All the independent bookstores have gravitated towards it." – PBS SoCal
"A palpable, gritty experience of redemption. So real. Well done!" – Amy Grant
"When C.B. Shiepe writes about God, he is on such familiar turf that he is able to capture the nuance and depth of that relationship, bringing the reader into his personal sphere, and providing an experience to build on." – EDWARD GRINNAN, Editor-In-Chief, Guideposts
"The message of hope rings true because the novel gets real about human despair. Yet the writing is gentle (and infused with humor), and the message healing." – VROMAN’S BOOKSTORE
"CLIFF FALLS is above all a very human story, rich in feeling, wide in the apparent randomness of experience, full of injured, lost people, and hungry for true human freedom and hope. Underneath and through it all is the underpinning of grace that never lets go and holds the final word. The power of empathy and love changes everything." - Mark Labberton, President, Fuller Theological Seminary
"This is a story about a man taking control of his life and destiny. An inspirational story by an equally inspiring author.” – ALLISON K. HILL, C.E.O., American Booksellers Association
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