The Dark and Bizarre Works of
Notorious News, Freaky Features,
Creepy Commentary, and Macabre Mayhem
Straight From the Dark and Bizarre World of Joe Townsel ...
JUST IN TIME FOR THE "HOrrordays":
MATE TO ORDER
NEWS
December 6, 2020
Knocking your head against the wall, perplexed as to what would make the perfect gift for yourself, or even your fellow horror buff? Wonder no more, dear reader! My new novel, Mate to Order, is now available in all e-book formats and trade paperback (an epic-length stocking stuffer)!
BUY MATE TO ORDER
Also still available: All of my other works to complete your Dark and Bizarre Library! Follow the links below to order today!
BUY FURY DUTY | THE UNFRIEND ZONE | ANTICIPATION
While you're here, enjoy the newly-updated and enhanced joetownsel.com!
-
New home page, with video book trailers and social media links.
-
New News, Features and Commentaries section.
-
Easier ordering of your favorite Joe Townsel books.
Enjoy your visit to the new and improved JOETOWNSEL.COM!
* Please note: All paperback books are sent from a print-on-demand publisher. There is no inventory of books already printed. As such, delivery in time for Christmas is not guaranteed. E-books are available immediately after purchase, Buy as a gift to a fellow horror buff, or for yourself!
Commander’s Log :
Star Trek Discovery
Post Show discussion
Season three, Ep. five
“Die Trying”
NEWS
November 12, 2020
After nearly 55 years, the Star Trek universe is an ever-expanding one. Leading the beloved franchise into the far future of the 32nd Century is the USS Discovery, its third season currently showing on CBS All Access.
No after-show series examines, critiques, dissects and disseminates as thoroughly (or is as fun and entertaining) as Commander's Log: The Unofficial Star Trek Discovery Post-Show. Taking the bridge of the USS Post Show are Commander Flobito Boyce and Captain John Webber, who discuss the new episode of Discovery, and many other fascinating and fun things Trek!
This week, I was invited to beam aboard to join the discussion about this week's exceptional show, Season Three, Episode Five, "Die Trying." What is my rank on the USS Post Show, you may ask? Hell, I'm happy to be Chief Petty Officer and Bottle Washer for the opportunity to join Flobo and John, Treksperts Extraordinaire!
You have your choice of platforms to watch my appearance on Commander's Log! Click below to watch now on your favorite website:
See other really neat stuff, by becoming a Flobo supporter on Patreon! Select either the Flobito is My Homie! or Boycesterous Crew tier to see all Knew Amsterdam Radio guest interviews, and a whole slew of other really cool features!
BECOME A FLOBO PATRON ON PATREON
Follow your favorite Starfleet officers on Twitter!
@floboboyce | @HelloJohnWebber | @joetownsel
KNEW AMSTERDAM RADIO PODCAST INTERVIEW
NEWS
October 26, 2020
It was my honor and privilege to appear on the Knew Amsterdam Radio podcast recently. I was interviewed by my gracious and talented host, Flobo Boyce. As many of you know, in addition to being a multi-talented author, he is a YouTube madman and powerhouse. Knew Amsterdam Radio is but one of his many channels. This one features illuminating and fun conversation about creatives, by creatives, delving into their processes and inspirations. Compelling talk! Have a listen to our recent conversation, won't you? It's a blast!
LISTEN TO EPISODE #72: "WRITE NOW WITH JOE TOWNSEL"
Want to see the unabridged video interview with Flobo? Of course you do! And you can see this, and other really neat stuff, by becoming a Flobo supporter on Patreon! Select either the Flobito is My Homie! or Boycesterous Crew tier to see all Knew Amsterdam Radio guest interviews, and a whole slew of other really cool features!
The end of smiles
FEATURE
October 19, 2020
Endangered.
Is it humankind itself, or the capacity to live?
Her soul and compassion are shielded from view.
His strength and humor are not to be seen.
For how long? Is it up to us?
Shrouded.
The mask hides another mask, lying beneath, less superficial.
The mask hides the malice of some, the kindness of others.
The mask is our savior. The mask is our jailer.
It is all of these things. It is none of these things.
THE REVIEWS ARE IN ... AGAIN
NEWS
March 13, 2020
Writers Digest is the premiere periodical and website for aspiring and professional authors. Part of the services the editors provide to writers is to enter competitions in a variety of categories and genres. Through the process, the writer gets valuable comments from the judges on his or her work.
Last year, I published Fury Duty, which I entered into the 27th Annual Writers Digest Self-Published Hardcopy Book and Ebook Awards. These are two distinct competitions with different judges. I'm happy to share the critique the judges from these prestigious competitions.
THE REVIEWS ARE IN
NEWS
March 3, 2019
Writers Digest is the premiere periodical and website for aspiring and professional authors. Part of the services the editors provide to writers is to enter competitions in a variety of categories and genres. Through the process, the writer gets valuable comments from the judges on his or her work.
Last year, I published The Unfriend Zone, which I entered into two Writers Digest competitions. I'm happy to share the critiques from the two judges.
The visitor at the door
FEATURE
May 30, 2017
My drowning pool is but the size of a grave,
Its waters engulf me, the killing tides cascade,
As I struggle against death, I wonder if I’m worthy to save,
But beyond the pool, as if on a distant shore,
I see the visitor at the door.
Beyond the drowning pool, there is a beckoning light,
My reach is gone, my arms paralyzed, adding to my fright,
I sink deeper into the dark unknown, permanent night,
But he remains with me, this man I cannot ignore,
He gives me strength, the visitor at the door.
THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE DAY - READ BY THE AUTHOR
FEATURE
April 30, 2017
Just a little bedtime story to keep you nervous about what might be lurking in the closet!
"Things That Go Bump in the Day" is one of my stories in Anticipation. I hope you are terrified and delighted after listening to this reading by the author.
Enjoy! And sweet dreams, little ones.
defending the dead
COMMENTARY
April 20, 2017
Season Seven of "The Walking Dead" is a wrap, but it remains a hot topic of discussion on the fanboy sites. Probably because it's been, by far, the most controversial season of the hit series (even before it got started).
Surprisingly, many of the plot points and characters of the TV show that have divided fans (extreme and casual alike) are based on the most popular era from the source material: the comics.
Frankly, I don't get it why Season Seven has gotten (and continues to get) such a bad rap. Maybe I'll understand it better if I address some of the more common criticisms head on:
the four r's
OR
REMAKES AND REBOOTS AND REHASHES AND REVIVALS ... OH MY
COMMENTARY
April 10, 2017
REMAKES ... AD NAUSEUM
Is Hollywood really running out of ideas? Maybe. But why should Hollywood be any different than this year's presidential candidates? (Just kidding. Sort of.)
Or maybe Hollywood is not running out of ideas. At least in terms of repackaging and rebranding.
Maybe it depends on the medium. If we're talking television, many viewers consider this to be a new golden age of the good ol' boob tube. However, if we're talking movies, it seems (especially in summer blockbuster season), that a lot of stuff playing on the silver screen is creatively bankrupt.
OFF THE GRIDIRON
COMMENTARY
February 5, 2017
Happy Super Bowl Sunday, everyone!
Today, it's all about the big game. But after the last post-game show is over, and Super Bowl LI highlights run their course on the 11:00 news, we can all still find post-season thrills in the many football-themed movies from the last several decades. Many football classics are also all about the big game. Classic football movies that lead up to the exciting climax of the big game? Far too many to list here.
Others give us inspiration as we follow the journeys of the players off the gridiron. In this blog entry, I'll concentrate on the latter category. Here a few of my personal favorites.