Joe's Media Kit
Summary Bio
Joe Gillis, known for his extensive experience in the film and television industry, brings together his passion for technology, comic books, and science in the exhilarating post-apocalyptic tale: Post-Apocalyptic Joe in a Cinematic Wasteland. Drawing inspiration from his own unique career journey, Gillis infuses the narrative with his love for movies and the intriguing possibility of a future where cinema and survival intertwine.
About the Author
(Pronounced: “Gill-iss”)
For many, the name Joe Gillis conjures up the image of a dead man floating in a pool from the opening of Sunset Boulevard.
You know, that film from 1950 featuring Norma Desmond (played by the amazing Gloria Swanson) saying “Alright Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close up.”
Yep,my name is the same as a movie character who is a down-and-out screenwriter that obviouslyhas things take a serious wrong turn (floating dead in a pool, and all).
Just like William Holden’s Joe Gillis, I’m a screenwriter—and my beginning was tied to silent films, too. My first film,9 Items or Less, was a silent comedy that I starred in, wrote, produced, and directed—and just like Sunset Blvd., was shot entirely on glorious black and white film. That’s right, actual celluloid film.
Am I a film snob? Nope, I love film, and even ran a few different motion picture theaters back in the 90s. If you would have asked me about digital back then, I would have said it sucked (it was the 90s, so it did), but digital can now produce absolutely phenomenal results, so I’m a big fan of both.
After adapting the play Voices from the High School by Peter Dee into a feature film, I moved into the world of television as a Producer, Writer, and Editor on HGTV and DIY Network shows including Turf War, Yard Crashers, House Crashers, heck, all the Crashers shows, and America’s Most Desperate Kitchens, as well as public broadcasting experience (AKA PBS) on America’s Heartland and California’s Heartland.
As a lifelong technology/comic book/science geek, it was only a matter of time before I would combine my knowledge of television production into my true passion of all things geek, and create Beyond Geek. My career has gone full circle now. I moved from just being behind the camera, to doing both again that and being onscreen again, joining Beyond Geek as a host.
So I have much in common with Billy Wilder’s character Joe Gillis: I’m a writer… check. Silent films played a pivotal part in my life… check. Well, that one’s a reach since Gloria Swanson was the silent film star. But I am ready for my closeup… the writer part of me just hopes for a different ending.
Film & TV Credits: Joe’s IMDb Page
Media Coverage
my cat came from outer space
Ages 8-12 • Middle Grade Science Fiction Comedy
What happens when alien invaders are… adorable?
My Cat Came from Outer Space is a hilarious adventure that follows 11-year-old Emma Price and her friends as they accidentally become Earth’s last line of defense against an adorable alien invasion.
When a mysterious meteor shower brings Commander Fluffington and his Feline Imperial Armada crash-landing in Middleton, Earth’s fate hangs in the balance—and it’s fluffy, orange, and absolutely irresistible. Using weaponized cuteness and mind-control purring, these alien cats begin converting humans into devoted servants, starting with Emma herself.
Her best friends Jake, Madison, and Tyler watch in horror as their science-loving, rational friend transforms into a cat-worshipping zombie. When they discover the truth—that Middleton is under siege by the most adorable alien invasion force in the galaxy—they have just hours to save their friend and stop the cutest apocalypse ever attempted.
Can three kids outsmart an alien commander who’s mastered the ultimate weapon: being absolutely, irresistibly cute?
Perfect for readers who love ridiculous humor, clever kids saving the day, and stories that prove friendship can survive even mind-controlling alien cats. Think Hoot meets Men in Black with a healthy dose of internet cat video chaos!
- Great for reluctant readers
- Explores friendship, independence, and resisting peer pressure
- Excellent for book clubs and classroom discussion
- Diverse characters and layered satire
Topics
From Shelter to Stardom: What “My Cat Came from Outer Space” Teaches Us About Pet Adoption
Using Commander Fluffington’s journey from “stray” to beloved family member, this presentation explores the real-world benefits and challenges of pet adoption, responsible pet ownership, and how adopting animals can teach children about compassion, commitment, and caring for others. Perfect for animal shelter events, veterinary conferences, and family audiences considering adding a furry friend to their household.
When Your Cat Videos Go Viral for All the Wrong Reasons
Drawing from the book’s exploration of social media manipulation, this presentation examines how quickly online content can influence young minds and provides strategies for helping children develop critical thinking skills about what they consume online.
STEM Skills Save the Day: Engineering Solutions with Everyday Objects
Using Tyler’s ingenious anti-alien weapons as a starting point, this interactive presentation shows students how science, technology, engineering, and math can solve seemingly impossible problems using common household items and creative thinking.stakes.
The Science Behind Pet Behavior: Are Our Cats Really Plotting World Domination?
A humorous but educational look at actual feline intelligence and behavior research, exploring what science tells us about our pets’ cognitive abilities and whether the book’s premise is as far-fetched as it seems.official?” The alien cats’ biggest weakness isn’t laser weapons—it’s laser pointers.
From Cat Videos to Critical Thinking: Media Literacy for the YouTube Generation
This presentation uses the book’s themes to help educators and parents discuss digital citizenship, online influence, and the importance of questioning what we see on social media, especially content involving beloved pets or influencers.
Writing Comedy That Tackles Serious Issues
Exploring how humor can be used to address difficult topics like manipulation, peer pressure, and identity in age-appropriate ways, using examples from the book’s balance of laughs and meaningful themes.
The Power of Friendship in the Digital Age
Examining how the Weird Stuff Response Team’s loyalty and teamwork offer a model for maintaining real relationships in an increasingly online world, with practical strategies for supporting friends who may be struggling with digital influences.
From Meteor Shower to Manuscript: Finding Story Ideas in Everyday Science
A creative writing workshop that shows how scientific concepts, astronomical events, and STEM principles can inspire engaging fiction, using the book’s astronomy elements and alien technology as examples.
Reluctant Readers and Rocket Science: Making STEM Accessible Through Fiction
Addressing how to engage students who struggle with traditional STEM curricula by embedding scientific concepts in entertaining stories, with practical tips for educators and librarians.
The Psychology of Cute: Why We Can’t Resist Adorable Animals (And What That Means for Kids Online)
A family-friendly exploration of the science behind why humans respond so strongly to cute animals, and how this natural response can be exploited in digital marketing and social media targeting children.
Building Confidence in Young Writers: Turning Weird Ideas into Wonderful Stories
Encouraging aspiring young authors to embrace their most unusual, creative impulses, using the journey from “what if cats were aliens?” to published novel as an example of how seemingly silly ideas can become meaningful literature.
Sample Interview Questions
What gave you the idea for “My Cat Came from Outer Space”? Was there a specific moment when you thought, “What if cats were aliens?”
The book taps into our culture’s obsession with cat videos and social media pets. How did you decide to use this contemporary phenomenon as the foundation for an alien invasion story?
Do you have cats yourself? How did your personal experience with pets influence the way you wrote Commander Fluffington and the other alien cats?
How did you balance the humor with the more serious themes of mind control and manipulation? Was it challenging to keep it age-appropriate while still addressing these important issues?
Emma’s friends each have distinct personalities and skills that contribute to solving the crisis. How did you develop the “Weird Stuff Response Team” dynamic?
The book includes real science concepts alongside the fantastical alien elements. How much research did you do into astronomy, animal behavior, and technology?
Commander Fluffington undergoes a significant character arc from would-be conqueror to contented house pet. What inspired this transformation?
The story explores how easily young people can be influenced by what they see online. Why was it important to you to address social media manipulation in a middle-grade book?
Emma creates YouTube videos promoting “feline superiority” while under mind control. How does this reflect real concerns about children and social media influence?
The book shows kids using STEM skills to solve problems creatively. Why is it important to show young readers that science and engineering can be both fun and heroic?
What do you hope young readers take away from Emma’s journey from mind-controlled servant back to independent thinker?
The friendship between Emma, Jake, Madison, and Tyler is central to the story. What message do you want to send about loyalty and supporting friends who might be in trouble?
What conversations do you hope it sparks between kids and adults?
How does “My Cat Came from Outer Space” fit into the current landscape of middle-grade science fiction? What makes it unique in the genre?
Were the educational aspects of the book intentional from the beginning?
Media Assets
Media Coverage
Post-Apocalyptic Joe in a Cinematic Wasteland
Sci-Fi Comedy / Satirical Post-Apocalyptic Adventure
Survive. Clone. Repeat.
The end of the world wasn’t supposed to be this ridiculous.
After a nuclear apocalypse turns Earth into a cinematic wasteland crawling with mechanical overlords and monsters ripped straight from B-movie nightmares, Joe—an average guy with a love for old sci-fi flicks—finds himself humanity’s last best hope. Holing up in a secret missile complex, Joe discovers a treasure trove of alien tech and, most importantly, a cloning device with more issues than a ’90s comic book series.
One accidental push of a button later, and Joe’s not alone anymore. He’s got a team of himself. There’s Bryan, Einstein, and a few other genetically questionable versions of Joe, each with their own quirks, skills, and weird haircut choices. Together, they attempt to rebuild life after doomsday, one misfire at a time.
Season One is a six-episode, high-octane joyride full of underground science labs, deranged CEOs, secret government cover-ups, and giant rats with a taste for human buffet. Think Multiplicity meets Fallout, spliced with the absurdity of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy—then crank it up with duct tape and alien DNA.
As the clone crew fumbles their way through existential questions, makeshift warfare, and peppermint-scented pest control, they’ll have to figure out whether they’re saving the world…
or just making things way, way worse.
- Satirical exploration of clone identity and cinematic tropes
- Incorporation of medical realism drawn from the author's personal health experiences
- A blend of humor and heart in a survival narrative
- Use of DIY weapons crafted from unconventional materials, tested for authenticity
Topics
From Kinetic Sculpture Race to Cinematic Wasteland
Joe’s look and character were born from a post-apocalyptic costume made for the Kinetic Grand Championship—an eccentric, Mad Max-style human-powered vehicle race. That same DIY spirit and visual flair helped shape the book’s tone and aesthetic.
The Butt Weapon That Went Too Far (and Stayed Anyway)
Yes, there’s a rectal speculum weapon—and yes, it’s hilarious and horrifying. Learn how the author’s mix of anatomical accuracy and gallows humor turned a medical tool into one of the book’s most memorable weapons.
From Movie Theater Manager to Author
The author’s experience running a movie theater and video store for nearly a decade influenced their storytelling and cinematic references throughout the narrative.
The Balance of Comedy and Horror
The story maintains humorous elements despite its dire circumstances. Learn techniques for maintaining this delicate balance without undermining tension.
The Psychology of Isolation
Explore the psychological aspects of isolation that inspired the creation of Bally, including influences from Cast Away and coping mechanisms for loneliness.
The Autoimmune Battle and Its Creative Fallout
Living with sarcoidosis and chronic pain forced the author to step away from drawing for years—until this book reignited that creative spark. Learn how physical limitations shaped the project’s timeline, tone, and even the return to visual art for the covers.
Beyond Geek and Into the Apocalypse
Before writing novels, the author created and hosted Beyond Geek, a TV series spotlighting subcultures and odd passions. The connections and costumes made while filming—including robotic tech and post-apocalyptic cosplay—influenced the book’s tone and world-building.
Spaghetti Westerns (and Mom) Shaped the Apocalypse
Clint Eastwood’s stoic gunslingers, discovered through the author’s movie-loving mom, deeply influenced Joe’s personality. Learn how early exposure to Westerns helped define the book’s dry wit, visual storytelling, and silent-but-deadly protagonist energy.
The Ethics of Conscious Science
What if the brain-in-a-jar trope wasn’t science fiction? Joe explores real advancements in brain organoids, weaving cutting-edge neuroscience into his fiction while asking tough philosophical questions about consciousness, experimentation, and morality.
Tech Job Fallout
A firsthand experience with corporate upheaval at a software company helped inspire the story’s pivotal career collapse. Joe reflects on how losing his job opened the door to a creative career—and how real-life boardroom drama shaped fictional crises.
Sample Interview Questions
How have your challenges shaped your narrative voice?
Can you share your experience with testing improvised weapons for the book?
When did you first discover your passion for writing?
Why did you choose to go with a serial format for Post-Apocalyptic Joe in a Cinematic Wasteland?
You said Joe’s outfit was born from a Mad Max-meets-Little Shop of Horrors kinetic sculpture race. How did creating that costume shape the tone or personality of Joe in the series?
You mention that Post-Apocalyptic Joe is both you and not you. What boundaries did you consciously set between your real self and the fictional Joe when writing the series?
Post-Apocalyptic Joe’s call sign, Kilo November Six Papa Foxtrot Alpha, is actually yours. What inspired you to bring your real amateur radio background into the story?
Can you share a moment from your personal life that inspired a scene or character in the book?
What are some of the internet rabbit holes that most shaped your storytelling brain?
What part of the book was the hardest to write, or get just right?
Media Assets
Media Coverage
For Adult readers who enjoy historical fiction with paranormal elements
Beautifully Dead
Paranormal Historical Romance
Epistolary Novel with Dual Timeline
In Beautifully Dead, the first book of the Immortal Affections series, history professor Dr. Amelia Everett’s life is upended when she inherits a mysterious Virginia property and discovers a hidden cache of Civil War correspondence between her ancestor, Thomas Everett, a Union chaplain, and Eleanor Caldwell, the daughter of a prominent Confederate physician.
As Amelia delves into their forbidden wartime romance, she uncovers a darker secret—Eleanor’s transformation into something beyond human through a mysterious “affliction.” The letters reveal a love that transcended not only the battle lines of America’s bloodiest conflict but the very boundaries between life and death.
With the help of local historian Elijah Merriweather, who harbors secrets of his own, Amelia pieces together the truth about Thomas and Eleanor’s supernatural bond. But as she immerses herself in their story, Amelia begins experiencing unsettling physical changes—heightened senses, strange cravings, sensitivity to light—that echo Eleanor’s own transformation.
The past and present intertwine as Amelia discovers her inheritance includes more than just property and letters—she carries the same genetic predisposition that allowed Eleanor to survive her transformation. Now Amelia must decide whether to embrace an immortal legacy or fight against a condition that offers eternal life at an unthinkable cost.
Told through alternating timelines and epistolary elements, Beautifully Dead is a gothic romance that explores how love can transcend both division and death, while asking what price we’re willing to pay for immortality.
Topics
From Bar Bet to Literary Universe
A spontaneous challenge at a writing conference sparked the creation of an entire paranormal romance world, proving that the best creative projects sometimes begin with the most unlikely conversations.
Victorian Correspondence Meets Modern Mystery
The correspondence customs of the 1860s provided the perfect framework for a story that bridges centuries, allowing past and present to speak to each other through carefully preserved letters.
When Theology Meets the Undead
A Union Army chaplain’s crisis of faith becomes the heart of the story, as 19th-century Methodist doctrine collides with supernatural realities that challenge everything he thought he knew about life, death, and divine purpose.
The Epistolary Challenge
Choosing to tell a dual-timeline story entirely through letters, diary entries, and documents required mastering two distinct historical writing styles while maintaining narrative momentum across centuries.
Research Rabbit Holes and Historical Accuracy
What began as casual research into Civil War medical practices led to deep dives into battlefield surgery, mysterious ailments, and the thin line between documented history and supernatural possibility.
Forbidden Love Across Enemy Lines
The romance transcends not only the Union-Confederate divide but the ultimate boundary between life and death, creating layers of forbidden attraction that amplify every stolen moment.
The Academic Detective Story
The modern timeline follows a Northern scholar whose genealogical research becomes a personal mystery, as she discovers her own family’s connection to a love story that refuses to stay buried.
Collaborative World-Building
Co-creating the “Immortal Affections” universe required balancing two creative voices while maintaining consistency across complex historical periods and supernatural mythology.
Making Zombies Romantic
Reimagining the undead as subjects of desire rather than horror required careful attention to agency, consent, and the emotional core that makes any romance compelling.
Expanding the Affliction
The mysterious condition that transforms the Southern belle becomes the foundation for an entire universe of stories, with plans to explore how this “affliction” has touched other lives across different eras of history.
Sample Interview Questions
- How did a bar bet to “make zombies sexy” became this elaborate Civil War romance?
- The dual timeline structure is fascinating—what drew you to telling both a historical Civil War story and a contemporary academic mystery simultaneously?
- What was the most surprising historical detail you uncovered that shaped the story?
- How do you balance the paranormal elements with historical accuracy, especially when dealing with such a well-documented period as the Civil War?
- The epistolary format—telling the story through letters—is quite ambitious. What made you choose this approach, and what challenges did it present?
- Your Southern belle character has a mysterious “affliction” that transforms her. How do you reimagine traditional zombie mythology within a romance framework?
- The forbidden love crosses both battle lines and the boundary between life and death. How do these dual taboos amplify the romantic tension?
- You’re planning this as the first installment in the “Immortal Affections” universe. What other time periods are you considering exploring?
- Co-authoring can be complex—how do you and your writing partner divide the creative process, especially with such intricate historical research?
- For readers who might be skeptical about paranormal romance or historical fiction, what would you say to convince them to give “Beautifully Dead” a chance?
