Why do authors put their characters through hell? Because without conflict, there’s no story. In Confessions of a Sadistic Author, Mark explains why Jacobine, Billings, and the rest of his cast are constantly battered and bruised — and why their scars make them unforgettable.
Confessions of a Sadistic Author Read More »
The votes are in, the ballots counted, and my writing schedule is now set—thanks to all of you. Fall From Grace is up first (yes, Thomas Billings is about to get shoved off an emotional cliff). Next comes Sister Jacobine #7—because apparently six books of bullets, assassins, and bad coffee weren’t enough for you. And finally, Credible Threat, Season 2 rounds things out. I’ll admit, I briefly considered ignoring the results and writing a cookbook instead—“101 Ways to Kill a Man With Kitchen Utensils” still has a nice ring to it—but you spoke, and I’m listening. Mostly.
So, You’ve Spoken (and I’m Listening… Mostly) Read More »
One of the perks of writing thrillers is getting to torture characters. Jacobine makes me work harder—she’s deadly, clever, and never blinks. Billings, though, is convinced he’s in control…until the floor drops. Who’s more fun to torment: the nun with a gun, or the cocky spook?
Jacobine vs. Billings: Who’s More Fun to Torture? Read More »
Remember when back-to-school meant fresh pencils, leaky lunchbox thermoses, and polyester outfits instead of Chromebooks and checkout lines? In the 1970s, September was pure chaos and excitement—and we wouldn’t trade it for today’s tech.
Back to School: The 1970s Edition Read More »
Mark’s got three thrilling projects fighting for attention in his brain—another Jacobine adventure, a high-octane Billings sequel, or a brand-new season of Credible Threat. He’s throwing the decision to readers: which story should he dive into next?
Help Me Decide What to Write Next Read More »
Mark’s desk is overflowing with thrillers, Jacobine adventures, anthology deadlines, and even a dash of erotica. Add in a Kickstarter campaign, real-world book selling, and you’ve got the “good kind of busy.” Coffee recommended.
Juggling Chainsaws (and Books) Read More »
Last week, I watched The Life of Chuck — twice. I’d already read the book, so I knew what was coming. But having just survived colon cancer and stared death in the face, the film landed differently for me. It stirred up all kinds of thoughts about what I’ve done with my life… and what
What Are the Core Memories at the Center of Your Universe? Read More »
Feet of Clay has just been selected for Barnes & Noble’s Unputdownable Books (You Can Read in a Day) promotion, running August 15th – 29th. This is good news. Great exposure. But here’s the better news: You don’t have to wait. If you haven’t read Feet of Clay — the story that kicks off the
Just a quick reminder, Assassinating Yesterday is currently on pre-order at half price of just $2.99. After it release on November 28, it will jump up to full price of $5.99. If you’d like to make sure you get it at half price, here’s the link to pre-order: https://storiesrulepress.com/product/assassinating-yesterday-project-gateway-1-0/ In the meantime, here’s the first chapter. Enjoy!
Meet Special Agent Ryan Cochrane Read More »
Happy Saturday! (I hope your Friday the 13th was a good one!) Based on the emails I’ve been getting in the last week or two, several of you have noticed that I haven’t done my regular Saturday posts for a couple weeks now. So, I thought I’d bang out a quick one to let y’all
Making The Heart Grow Fonder Read More »
Happy Monday! I hope your week is off to a brilliant start. Let me ask you a question: Who shot J.R.? Do you remember? I don’t, actually. I do remember that in the summer of 1980, you couldn’t swing a dead cat without hitting someone who was talking about it. The season finale cliffhanger of
Lunchtime Hanging Off A Cliff Read More »
Happy Saturday! So, I was in the middle of writing a post for Monday about an imminent new release and suddenly realized I still hadn’t written this morning’s post. Crap! Some of the research for that post had me looking at something that happened in the late spring of 1980. As most of you know,
The Good Old Days… Read More »