Joe Lunievicz

Joe Lunievicz has excelled in many areas over the years – as competitive fencer, public speaker, yoga instructor, and improvisational actor – but in his heart he always knew he was a writer.

At 16, Joe began writing stories, essays, and poetry that illuminated the unique subcultures he’s been part of in his native home of New York. His work has explored the worlds of amateur rugby and fencing, fantasy and science fiction gaming, and stage combat and theatre. These experiences certainly inspired Joe’s debut novel, Open Wounds (WestSide Books, May 2011). His fiction and poetry have appeared in Smoke Magazine, Playboy.com, Rugby, Dragon Magazine, Another Chicago Magazine, and Mothering.

Joe is also a sought-after national speaker on diversity issues, drug treatment, team building, HIV/AIDS, and public speaking (despite being terrified of it as a child!).

A graduate of C.W. Post Long Island University, Joe attended both the City College of New York’s graduate creative writing program, (where he studied with William Matthews), and Stony Brook University’s continuing education program. He performed with the KLAATU improvisational comedy troupe for 4 years. In 2007, Joe earned his teaching certification from the Lotus School of Yoga in New York City and has been teaching ever since.

Joe started fencing 30 years ago. He was fascinated with the sport as a child after seeing Captain Blood and The Mark of Zorro. A lover of all sports, Joe played rugby for 16 years in the New York Metropolitan Rugby Union with the Long Island Rhinos Rugby Football club. He also served in the Peace Corp for 2 1/2 years in Honduras.

Joe lives in Queens, New York with his wife and son.