Joel began writing professionally at a later age. The Pigeon Man is his first novelette. In addition to The Pigeon Man being selected as a Next Generation Indie Book 2016 Finalist, his "A Hanukkah With Mazel", 2016, had glowing reviews in Booklist, Kirkus Review, Publisher's Weekly, and The Horn Book Magazine. The book was also featured on the cover of Nov/Dec 2017 issue of The Hornbook Magazine.