Trivia

Worked 100 day jobs before turning full-time into writing and producing in his 40s. He wrote a book based on those experiences, "How to Survive a Day Job," in 2004, and it was published the following year.

He considers the first time he saw "Star Wars" in '77 a "game-changer." Following the film's ending medal ceremony, Joel's family left to the lobby, while he could not stand. His legs went numb for ten minutes over the excitement of the film, leading to a life-long obsession of all things "Star Wars.".

Set up his novel series with Steve Hillard, "The Chronicles of Ara," to Ovation Network before 200 copies of the first book was sold.

Joel found in the effects of a deceased friend, legendary Broadway producer Ernest Martin, hundreds of pages of previously considered lost John Steinbeck writings. Issue #66 (2019) of "Rosebud" literary magazine featured a story about that undertaking.

Holds a B.A. Degree in Special Education from Brooklyn College. Taught special needs children and adults for 10 years.

Joel sits on the Board of actor-director Bill Duke's "Duke Media Foundation.".

Joel's first paid writing screenwriting job was to "remake 'The Maltese Falcon' with eight gratuitous nude scenes for the foreign markets" for a softcore VHS label. The film was eventually released as "Sweet Evil 2.".

He is a public figure, who speaks to filmmakers and writers throughout the U.S.

He is a horror, science fiction and fantasy geek, and former comic book dealer.

Joel is considered a social network "influencer" and in the top percentile of "LinkedIn's" most connected members. He is the founder of the popular "Writing For Your Life" group on the Clubhouse platform.