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Welcome to My World
I’ve been telling stories for as long as I can remember. A surprising number of them have made it into print—fifteen novels so far, which still surprises me a little when I say it out loud. I live in the woods nears Stockton, New Jersey, a small borough on the Delaware River. The kind of place that inspires mysteries, thrillers and horror in the towns and countryside.
My longest-running series is The Kyle Callahan Mysteries—character-driven, funny in places, dark in others, and rooted in lives you might never expect to be troubled by murder. I also write the Marshall James Thrillers series and the Maggie Dahl Mysteries, each with their own voice and world.
More recently I’ve been working in horror and psychological thriller—territory I find endlessly compelling. And my forthcoming (October, 2026) Devil’s Wood is a supernatural thriller set in nearby Lambertville, drawing on modern small town life and ancient horror.
Through Your Write Path, I offer workshops and coaching for writers at every stage—beginners who’ve never shown anyone their work, experienced writers who’ve hit a wall, people who want to tell the story of their own lives. “Every life is a story, and each of us is the storyteller.”
My imprint Vivid Press publishes annotated editions of public domain classics—recent titles include Carmilla, The Willows, and Gaston Leroux’s The Mystery of the Yellow Room. Stories matter.
Look around, you’ll find much more here, and thanks for stopping by. – Mark
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SAVE THE DATE: Authors Mark McNease and Kim Cook at Federal Twist Vineyard (Saturday, September 26)
If you’re looking for a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon this fall, look no further than Federal Twist Vineyard in Stockton, New Jersey. On Saturday, September 26, from 2 to 4 p.m., local author Mark McNease and memoir writer Kim Cook will be on hand for an afternoon of books, art, and conversation in one of the most beautiful settings in the Delaware River valley.
Mark McNease is the author of fifteen novels spanning mystery, thriller, and horror — including the Kyle Callahan Mysteries, the Maggie Dahl Mysteries, and the Marshall James Thrillers. Kim Cook is the author of I Am My Father’s Child: A True Story of Mystery, History, Betrayal and Forgiveness, and the just-released Moments with Moose: Life Lessons from the Best Listener I Know, a warm and deeply personal memoir about the lessons we learn from the animals we love.
Federal Twist Vineyard, tucked into the rolling hills of Hunterdon County, provides a stunning backdrop for an event that pairs great books with great wine. Whether you’re a longtime reader of either author or simply looking for a relaxed afternoon out, this is the kind of gathering that reminds you why local events matter.
Both authors will be available to sign books and chat with visitors throughout the afternoon. Copies will be available for purchase.
Federal Twist Vineyard, Stockton, NJ — Saturday, September 26, 2–4 p.m. Free to attend. Bring your curiosity, your love of good books, and your appetite for a glass of something lovely.
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Great Stories Deserve Great Covers
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A Twist Featured Interview with Horror Comedy Author Rick Gualtieri
I recently interviewed Rick Gualtieri, the bestselling New Jersey author behind the Tome of Bill series. Rick has built one of indie horror-comedy’s most beloved franchises around Bill Ryder, a dateless gamer who gets turned into a vampire and becomes the undead world’s most reluctant savior—more than a dozen novels deep and still going strong.
We talked about his origin story, his writing process, the art of making horror funny without defanging it, and why comedy and horror belong together. It’s a great conversation for fans of the genre and anyone curious about what it takes to build a long-running indie series from scratch.
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A Twist Featured Interview: Rick Rose Talks with Miss Wisconsin Volunteer 2026 Kiana Schraufnagel
Kiana Schraufnagel is a leader, volunteer, and advocate whose accomplishments span academics, service, athletics, and personal empowerment. She currently serves as Miss Wisconsin Volunteer 2026, while pursuing her psychology degree at Texas Tech University and performing as a Texas Tech Twirler. Her commitment to service has earned her the prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Award, reflecting more than 1,500 hours of community involvement. A baton twirler and member of Team USA, Kiana has earned multiple national championships, World Championship medals in Liverpool, England, and numerous state and national titles. Beyond competition, she is the founder of True You Empowerment, a platform dedicated to building confidence and self-worth in young people.
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A Fearsome Fiction Interview with Comedy Horror Author Rick Gualtierie
I recently interviewed Rick Gualtieri, the bestselling New Jersey author behind the Tome of Bill series, for Fearsome Fiction. Rick has built one of indie horror-comedy’s most beloved franchises around Bill Ryder, a dateless gamer who gets turned into a vampire and becomes the undead world’s most reluctant savior—more than a dozen novels deep and still going strong.
We talked about his origin story, his writing process, the art of making horror funny without defanging it, and why comedy and horror belong together. It’s a great conversation for fans of the genre and anyone curious about what it takes to build a long-running indie series from scratch.
Listen wherever you get Fearsome Fiction.
