About Joel

The Philosopher Joel is a short novel I am preparing for release in October.

It is a collection of fictional experiences from our "hero" who finds himself (again) teaching obscure wisdom to a seemingly-naive westerner (something I have, truth be told, revelled in). It will be available to download exclusively as a digital book on this website.

Originally, it was planned that "...Joel" should be ready on launch of the website (this is based on the concept of releasing a prepackaged game with a console, therefore Joel becomes the Super Mario World to the SNES), but it was not to be. My InDesign knowledge had to be refreshed, and so Okapi! and Basic Holography have stood in its place (both available now, both well worth your time).

I am considering producing a limited run of physical copies of Joel if sales and demand is high, but in this day and age, investing that much in the reformatting and publishing costs of a physical paperback/hardcover is risky business.

A Tree In Bani, my publishing arm, is only in its infancy and the production of something as risky as a physical book could stunt its growth before it actually has that first chance to bloom.

So, to Joel. Who is he?

In short, Joel (or in Filipino Jo-el) is every funny story or close to the bone comment any one of your uncles has ever said to you, in jest or in absolute ignorance. He is the essence of an old way of life we all know, and are aware of, but have no longer the access to. He is everything we wish the world still was.

He is the essence of honest storytelling. He is perfect for a Tree In Bani.

Here's to all the Joels of the world!