Joel was born and raised in the Pink house projects of East New York section of Brooklyn. Joel is a proud CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) kid. He moved to Brighton Beach as a young teen. After graduating from Hunter College in Manhattan. He worked in Brooklyn then decided the cold weather was not for him.

He moved to Coral Springs Florida and has lived there for 40 years.

He married his beautiful wife Ann and together they raised two daughters and quite a few rescue  dogs. He was involved in the book maker business for over 30 years until he was forced into retirement by the local authorities.

While not being a bookmaker he craved the action, by writing his books he felt the rush of his previous life. He felt that he could not get in any more trouble for writing. When asked about his past Joel says "I was just doing research for my novel".

Joel still lives in Coral Springs Florida and enjoys the Florida lifestyle with his family.