As a practicing environmental lawyer, Joel Burcat writes environmental legal thrillers that are both electrifying and accurate. His published shorter works range from thrillers about “the best beer I’ve ever had” to a middle-aged lawyer running off to Italy, jeopardizing the lives and careers of his young associates.
Burcat’s writings explore many facets of life, although he has a true fascination with unexpected twists. His characters’ reasons for doing things are as important as their actions. From the person lying in bed next to you to psychopathic strip mine operators, each has an underlying motive to be explored and revealed.
Burcat has completed five novels. Three of them are environmental legal thrillers, DRINK TO EVERY BEAST, AMID RAGE, and STRANGE FIRE. DRINK TO EVERY BEAST and AMID RAGE, both published by Headline Books are available at bookstores, Amazon, Barnes & Noble in paperback and electronic formats.
Burcat grew up in Philadelphia. He has two grown daughters, a son-in-law and a granddaughter. He lives with his wife in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the place that provides the setting for many of his stories.
Awards and Recognition
Second Place, 2020 PennWriters (Novel Beginnings Competition) for STRANGE FIRE
Honorable Mention at 2019 Readers’ Favorite (for Fiction-Legal Thriller) for DRINK TO EVERY BEAST
Honorable Mention at N.Y. Book Festival 2019 (for Best General Fiction) for DRINK TO EVERY BEAST
Semi-Finalist, ScreenCraft Short Story Contest for Excellence and Cinematic Potential, February 15, 2017, for Leaving Rhodesia
Quarter-Finalist, ScreenCraft Short Story Contest for Excellence and Cinematic Potential, February 1, 2017, for Leaving Rhodesia and Turning Point
Quarter-Finalist, ScreenCraft Short Story Competition for Excellence and Cinematic Potential, January 2016, for Invaiatura