About

Samuel K. Leonard is the pen name of used by author Joel Armand.
Joel Armand was born in Brooklyn, New York , the son of Haitian immigrants. Joel was raised mostly in New Jersey but spent some time in Haiti. Joel moved to the city of New Windsor, New York in 2010. Since an early age Joel has had a passion for fiction writing, often engrossing himself in writing short stories. The Broken Harmonica is Joel’s first and only novel. It was first conceived in 1986 where an initial but incomplete draft was created. The actual manuscript was not completed until 27 years later as the project had been abandoned and then reconceived in 2012. The work was sparked by Joel’s strong interest in African American history and history in general. The novel was inspired by such works as Roots and Invisible Man.

Joel is the father of twin girls and continues to live with his family in New Windsor. Joel worked for the Department of Children and families in New Jersey for 32 years, 17 of which were spent as a supervisor. Joel retired from service in June of 2022. Since May of 2023 Joel has been working with asylum seekers in the city of Newburgh.