Wilder Investigations #1: Mirror, Mirror Shared Words: Volume One Lynsey Moon's Fever Dreams Critical Mass and other stories Warps in the Tapestry Tell Tale Top Tales Badge

Joel Byers

Joel Byers (aka The Twisted Historian) has been described by the industry as the laziest, most brilliant, unpublished talent currently pretending to write. He has vigorously protested this appellation, as he claims he was dead all those years and has the paperwork to prove it. Since regaining his corporeal form he has promised to write more, as writing is the second most fun thing he can do with his clothes off.

Now Available!

Where There's Smoke

Where There's Smoke
by Joel Byers

If you've read it, please consider leaving a review. Amazon and Good Reads reviews are preferred, but reviews anywhere are appreciated. Thanks!

Coming in 2022!

Wilder Investigations: The Reluctant Corpse
by Joel Byers and C. Scott Davis

Blog

This Date in Twisted-History
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Other Published Works

Abbadon
published in Warps in the Tapestry

Infernal Ratio
published in Critical Mass and other stories

50 stories and 1 illustration
published in Shared Words: Volume One

I Breathe
published in Lynsey Moon's Fever Dreams

Wilder Investigations #1: Mirror, Mirror
written by Joel Byers, C. Scott Davis and R. Eric Smith
illustrated by R. Eric Smith and L. Whyte

Bad Karma
A twisted set building game for 2-4 players
created by Joel Byers and C. Scott Davis

Reviews

-- for Where There's Smoke --

The action and adventures of Sean and Randal, are really fun for those who like light reading that involves a supernatural element. It's a quick read that's fast paced, with clean humor. Despite the subject matter, this was a light hearted read. Not as heavy as one would expect considering the chaos our characters encounter.
Rating: 3 Stars ~~ Emily Schmidt on Goodreads

-- from Warps in the Tapestry --

Abaddon: This story gave me big Supernatural vibes, but it was also very unique in exactly *who* was attacking the demons. I love the Point of View used in this story and I think Byers did an excellent job in setting up the Underworld setting. It was also sort of amusing, in a way - the story starts off with one of the demons "crashing through the dark and ornate palace doors" in a panic, and I just love the idea of these demons having a very human-style freak out. This was definitely fun read, and, like the Time On Earth story, had an absolutely *excellent* ending.
Rating: 5 Stars ~~ Britt on Goodreads

-- from Critical Mass and other stories --

Infernal Ratio: When I was asked to review this series of short stories, I was told that the theme behind the compilation was largely inspired by H.P. Lovecraft. I've never read Lovecraft so I can't tell you how accurately these stories portray his ideas, but I *can* tell you who this short story, Infernal Ratio, does remind me of: Stephen King. Specifically, it reminds me of his novel Rose Madder. I do think this particular story was a little slow-paced, but the plot events themselves were easily horrific. The mental image of Robert, driven crazy and having painted for days, is particularly haunting. The imagery was particularly good in this short story, and I think the imagery was definitely Infernal Ratio's strongest point - rather fitting, considering the story centers around an artist.
Rating: 4 Stars ~~ Britt on Goodreads

Writing Challenges

Drabbles

Completed Novels

Where There's Smoke - NaNoWriMo 2006

Unfinished/Planned Novels

Blue Mountain
Dust
Let Sleeping Dogs - NaNoWriMo 2007
The Esoteric Excursion - NaNoWriMo 2008

Collaborations

The Reluctant Corpse - collaborative novel written with C. Scott Davis


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