AGLOW
Tales From the Roost- 2025 2X Award-Winner
In the world of outdoor storytelling of the turkey woods, few voices capture the spirit of the wild with as much warmth, wit, and authenticity as Mike Joyner. His latest work, Tales from the Roost, Roost’n Time Tales, has not only resonated with readers and listeners alike—it’s earned top honors at two prestigious outdoor writer events in 2025, solidifying Joyner’s place among the turkey hunting story genre in outdoor literature.
A Storytelling Triumph
In May 2025, Tales from the Roost clinched 2nd place in the EIC audiobook category at the New York State Outdoor Writers Association (NYSOWA) Excellence in Craft (EIC) Awards, held in Niagara, NY this past May. This is a recognition that celebrates outstanding contributions to outdoor communication.
Just several months later, the book earned another 2nd place award in the AIC book category at the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers (AGLOW) AIC Awards, held in Eau Claire, Wisconsin this past September.
Tales from the Roost is more than a collection of stories—it’s a heartfelt tribute to the rhythms of nature, the quirks of wily wild turkey, and the enduring bond between people and the outdoors. Whether read in print or experienced through its immersive audiobook format, Joyner’s tales evoke laughter, nostalgia, and a deep appreciation for the natural world.
Mike Joyner’s Signature Style
Joyner’s writing blends humor, insight, and a keen eye for detail. His ability to turn everyday encounters in the turkey woods into memorable anecdotes makes Tales from the Roost a favorite read among outdoor enthusiasts, storytellers, and anyone who’s ever paused to watch jake turkey’s antics, eagerly watch the sun rise through a ridge top overlooking a valley, or listen to the wind whispering through the trees.
A Well-Deserved Honor
Winning at both NYSOWA and AGLOW in the same season is no small feat. These awards highlight Joyner’s versatility and excellence in both written and spoken word—a rare achievement that speaks to the quality and charm of Tales from the Roost. Written in a manner of friendly conversation whenever hunters meet up, and was translated well by narrator Tim Harper with just the right tone and friendly inflection.
What’s Next?
With Tales from the Roost earning critical acclaim and audience love, fans are already wondering what stories Mike Joyner will share next. If history is any guide, it’ll be something worth roosting for. Two long-overdue and laborious works, D. D. Adams, Evolutionary Turkey Call Pioneer, and Empire Limb Hangers, New York State Wild Turkey Records, are past the halfway mark for both titles and are time-intensive efforts with plenty of challenges. There is a turkey-centric cookbook, J Ranch Wild Turkey Cuisine, co-authored with his wife, Lee (Mike is the control test subject to cook and prove anyone can make each recipe), in the taste-testing phase, and will come out in 2026. Another story book, several novels, and a few other surprises to reveal as these primary projects are completed.
Whether you’re a longtime follower of Joyner’s work or just discovering his storytelling magic, Tales from the Roost is a must-read—and a must-listen. Available on Amazon :
Audible Audio Book Narrated by Tim Harper https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Roost-Time-Turkey-Woods/dp/B0FCVHT28R
Paper Back Book https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Roost-Time-Turkey-Woods/dp/B0F3TFBQXV
Hard Cover Book https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Roost-Time-Turkey-Woods/dp/B0F3TBQGP
Kindle https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Roost-Time-Turkey-Woods-ebook/dp/B0F1MLQNMH
About AGLOW
The Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers (AGLOW) is a dynamic community of professional communicators who share a passion for the outdoors. Founded in 1956, AGLOW brings together writers, broadcasters, photographers, podcasters, and digital creators who cover hunting, fishing, conservation, and outdoor recreation across North America. Whether you’re a seasoned journalist or a rising content creator, AGLOW is where outdoor stories come to life—and where storytellers find their tribe.
Learn more at aglowinfo.org
About NYSOWA
The New York State Outdoor Writers Association (NYSOWA) is a vibrant network of professional communicators dedicated to celebrating and preserving the outdoor heritage of New York State and beyond. Since its founding in 1967, NYSOWA has united writers, photographers, broadcasters, and digital creators who specialize in hunting, fishing, wildlife, conservation, and outdoor recreation. Whether you’re chronicling the thrill of the chase or the serenity of a mountain stream, NYSOWA is where outdoor communicators find inspiration, recognition, and camaraderie.
Learn more at nysowa.org
© 2025 Joyner Outdoor Media
BOOK PROJECTS- 2024 UPDATE
Book Project Update-The following two projects have been long-term works in progress and very different efforts than the storybooks that I write one chapter at a time, at random throughout the years. Some just appear to be at random as a eureka moments once enough material is collected, and put aside to publish without any particular schedule. As these two large projects require large swaths of time to keep it all straight, with far too many moving parts, it is a much slower workflow.
D.D. Adams- Evolutionary Turkey Call Pioneer, a long-awaited title. scheduled to be released this past summer had been pushed back after a snafu in source material permissions. Regrouped on pictures and may have to do one more photo shoot to fill a few gaps. Expect editing and finishing chapters through the winter. Aside from proof reading there will be a period of review for any gaps.
Empire State Limb Hangers– New York Wild Turkey Records, another long-awaited title, is on track for this year. Weekly progress on this. The entire database has been gone through and grown the records two fold. The project expanded dramatically. All data is up to date and locked down as of July 2023. All but a last push on interviews and finalizing each story included in the book. Those that have responded with interest of inclusion will be interviewed.
Books Scheduled For Release:
ReaperCide, Fatalism Defined– tackles a controversial topic and includes musings collected for some time. Will be released 2/13/24. This was a formatting effort as it is a collection of commentary over the past decade. Much like the Random Musings series and a few other titles that will spring up unscheduled, it is mostly consolidating prior musings with a little polish and organizing.
Books in print:
Hills of Truxton: Stories & Travels of a Turkey Hunter 1.2 version, available online at Amazon and other online book store in paperback, audiobook, and kindle format. Hills Of Truxton
Tales from the Turkey Woods: Mornings of My Better Days 1.2 version, available online at Amazon and other online book stores in hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and kindle format. Tales From The Turkey Woods
Grand Days in the Turkey Woods is available online at Amazon and other online book stores in Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and kindle format. Grand Days In The Turkey Woods Hardcovers w/dustjacket can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Grand-Days-Turkey-Woods-Joyner/dp/1495125475
Ten To Life- Delirium Tales Of A Covid-19 Survivor is available online at Amazon and other online book stores in hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and kindle format. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B3LP45XD/
A Walk In The Turkey Woods- Wandering Thoughts and Revelations, is available online at Amazon and other online book stores in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle format. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW36MGN9
An audiobook is currently in production with a 2024 release anticipated.
Random Musings- Of The Left Hemisphere, is available online at Amazon and other online book stores in Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and kindle format. https://www.amazon.com/Random-Musings-Left-Hemisphere-Joyner-ebook/dp/B0C2WMQNHH
Random² Musings:-A Left Hemisphere Continuum, is available online at Amazon and other online book stores in Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and kindle format. https://www.amazon.com/Random%C2%B2-Musings-Left-Hemisphere-Continuum-ebook/dp/B0CK4WH86B
Personal Hunting Journals Collection. nine journals total in the collection, and tailored to your favored seasons. All journals are available for $7.59 on Amazon
For a consolidated set of links to purchase on Amazon, click on: https://www.joyneroutdoorme dia.com/journals_promo.html.
Future Projects:
Tales from The Roost, Roost ‘n Time Tales– Another turkey hunting stories book is likely to come out in the late summer of 2024 and depends on a number of things being completed prior to coming together. I rough draft stories each season, so it is not absolute in the schedule. As a fourth storybook, it may be one of the last of those efforts. The seasons and memories have been so inspirational which continues to drive these titles.
Random3 Musings:-A Left Hemisphere Continuum, last installment of random social media commentary, mostly conservative view points, some humor, and of course hunting themed commentary.
Old Turkey Tree, Stories From The Turkey Woods– will be a collection of my favorites from each storybook title and a full-color edition will be offered in hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and kindle. That will come sometime after Roost ‘n Time Tales is published.
A wild turkey cookbook is a slow cooker, a work in progress, a joint project with Lee Joyner and will come out whenever I get to road-testing my hazardous culinary skills. If I survive that experiment, it will happen…
There are more slow-rolling book projects that pique my interest in pursuing, and I add bits and pieces to each project folder as they fit or strike me to capture at the moment. There are a few novel project ideas if I ever get to it.
Websites: A redesign of the Joyner Outdoor Media website is active, integrating all the published book websites, lists current projects and future projects (mostly novels) in planning stages. the home base at turkey-talk.com is up and running, and will solicit advertising to make the indulgence self-sufficient when that final section is done.
-MJ
© 2024 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Book Projects- 2023 Update
Book Project Update-The following two projects have been long-term works in progress and are much different efforts than the storybooks that I write one chapter at a time, at random throughout the years, especially during hunting seasons. Some just appear to be at random once it is realized enough material is collected, and put aside to publish without any particular schedule. As these two large projects require large swaths of time to keep it all straight, with far too many moving parts, it takes much longer in the workflow that I have.
D.D. Adams- Evolutionary Turkey Call Pioneer, a long-awaited title. scheduled to be released this past summer has been pushed back after a recent snafu in source material permissions.
Empire State Limb Hangers– New York Wild Turkey Records, another long-awaited title, is pushed to an Winter 2023 release. Weekly progress on this. Still seeking those eligible to interview for the project, but a July 31, 2023 cutoff has to be a hard stop to make this happen.
Books in print:
Hills of Truxton: Stories & Travels of a Turkey Hunter 1.2 version is currently available online at Amazon and other online book stores in paperback, and kindle format. Hills Of Truxton An audiobook is in production
Tales from the Turkey Woods: Mornings of My Better Days 1.2 version is currently available online at Amazon and other online book stores in hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and kindle format. Tales From The Turkey Woods
Grand Days in the Turkey Woods is currently available online at Amazon and other online book stores in Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and kindle format. Grand Days In The Turkey Woods Hardcovers w/dustjacket can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Grand-Days-Turkey-Woods-Joyner/dp/1495125475
Ten To Life- Delirium Tales Of A Covid-19 Survivor is currently available online at Amazon and other online book stores in hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and kindle format. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B3LP45XD/
A Walk In The Turkey Woods- Wandering Thoughts and Revelations, the brand new release on 2/27/23 is currently available online at Amazon and other online book stores in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW36MGN9
An audiobook is currently in production with a spring 2023 release anticipated.
Future Projects:
Tales from The Roost, Roost ‘n Time Tales– Another turkey hunting stories book is likely to come out in 2023 and depends on a number of things coming together. I rough draft stories each season, so it is not absolute in the schedule. As a fourth storybook, it may be one of the last of those efforts. The seasons and memories have been so inspirational which continues to drive these titles.
Old Turkey Tree, Stories From The Turkey Woods– will be a collection of my favorites from each storybook title and a full-color edition will be offered in hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and kindle. That will come sometime after Roost ‘n Time Tales is published.
ReaperCide, Fatalism Defined– will tackle a controversial topic and include research materials collected for some time. This is a short effort when I ever get to it. It’s another project that will likely pop up after a few lazy weekends (rare) and I get to go back thru all the musings and edit it.
A wild turkey cookbook is a slow cooker, a work in progress, and will come out whenever I get to road-testing my hazardous culinary skills. If I survive that experiment, it will happen…
There are more slow-rolling book projects that pique my interest in pursuing, and I add bits and pieces to each project folder as they fit or strike me to capture at the moment. There are a few novel project ideas if I ever get to it.
Websites: On top of all that, a redesign of the Joyner Outdoor Media website is planned, It will integrate all the existing published books and will introduce each new book as it is released or slated for a release date. the home base at turkey-talk.com will also be completed and will solicit advertising to make the indulgence self-sufficient.
-MJ
© 2023 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Books In Print Update
This is just an update on what’s available for current titles and small updates. As the printer now offers case laminate hardcovers, I have added this to current titles and will also do for future releases.
Hills of Truxton: Stories & Travels of a Turkey Hunter is currently available online at Amazon and other online bookstores in paperback, laminated hardcover, and kindle format.
A 1.2 version is the current print-on-demand book with a new cover, and the typical text corrections and small edits in an effort to follow in some semblance of the Queen’s English. The laminated hardcover 1.2 edition is now available.
An audiobook is underway for production to coincide with the 1.2 updates. a March is expected. Audiobook will be narrated by Tim Carper
A Hardcover Linen Wrap (Dust Jacket) offering is not scheduled at this time. Should there be demand for it, I may do a run of them. Updated 2/3/23
Paperback—–Hardcover—–Kindle—–Audiobook (coming soon)
Tales from the Turkey Woods: Mornings of My Better Days is currently available online at Amazon and other online bookstores in paperback, laminated hardcover, and kindle format.
A 1.2 version is the current print-on-demand book with a new cover, and the typical text corrections and small edits in an effort to follow in some semblance of the Queen’s English.
Although the original release featured a Hardcover Linen Wrap (Dust Jacket), the printer discontinued the service. A Hardcover Linen Wrap (Dust Jacket) offering is not scheduled at this time. Should there be demand for it, I may do a run of them.
Paperback—–Hardcover—– Kindle—–Audiobook Updated 2/23/23
Grand Days in the Turkey Woods is currently available online at Amazon and other online bookstores in paperback, laminated hardcover, kindle format, and Hardcover Linen Wrap (Dust Jacket). An audiobook is currently available. The audiobook is narrated by Tim Carper.
Paperback—–Hardcover—–Kindle—–Audiobook—–Hardcover w/dustjacket
Ten To Life- Delirium Tales Of A Covid-19 Survivor is currently available online at Amazon and other online bookstores in hardcover, paperback, and kindle format. An audiobook is currently available. The audiobook is narrated by Tim Carper.
A Hardcover Linen Wrap (Dust Jacket) offering is not scheduled at this time. Should there be demand for it, I may do a run of them.
Paperback—–Hardcover—–Kindle —–Audiobook
-MJ
© 2022 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
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