• DEVIL'S WOOD AUDIO

    Devil’s Wood Chapter 4: Double Take (AUDIO – Final Tease)

    February 7, 2026 /

    Yes, this is my final offering from the upcoming ‘Devil’s Wood.’ It will be out by this summer, and if you’re hooked listening to these chapter samples, you’ll want to buy the book! Fasten your headphones for one last teaser.  – Mark

    Devil’s Wood begins when two boys wander into the woods outside Lambertville, New Jersey, and uncover a strange walking stick buried in the soil. One boy feels an immediate, nameless dread and keeps his distance; the other is drawn to it, pulling it free and revealing a grim truth beneath the earth—a human skull buried alongside the object. The discovery hints at an old, unfinished wrong, and a wood that has long remembered what was done there, waiting patiently for someone to find it.

    The stick first surfaces in the life of Peter Brightly, a forty-two-year-old antique dealer struggling to hold together the fragments of his life after a painful divorce. As Peter becomes increasingly attached to the object, his health, judgment, and moral center begin to erode. The wood exerts a quiet pull, the past presses closer, and Peter is forced to confront how far he is willing to go to protect his own sanity.

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  • DEVIL'S WOOD AUDIO,  NEW

    Devil’s Wood Chapter 3: Who’ll Stop the Rain? (AUDIO)

    February 2, 2026 /

    Devil’s Wood begins when two boys wander into the woods outside Lambertville, New Jersey, and uncover a strange walking stick buried in the soil. One boy feels an immediate, nameless dread and keeps his distance; the other is drawn to it, pulling it free and revealing a grim truth beneath the earth—a human skull buried alongside the object. The discovery hints at an old, unfinished wrong, and a wood that has long remembered what was done there, waiting patiently for someone to find it.

    The stick first surfaces in the life of Peter Brightly, a forty-two-year-old antique dealer struggling to hold together the fragments of his life after a painful divorce. As Peter becomes increasingly attached to the object, his health, judgment, and moral center begin to erode. The wood exerts a quiet pull, the past presses closer, and Peter is forced to confront how far he is willing to go to protect his own sanity.

    read more
  • DEVIL'S WOOD AUDIO

    Devil’s Wood Chapter 2: Going, Going, Gone (AUDIO)

    February 2, 2026 /

    Devil’s Wood begins when two boys wander into the woods outside Lambertville, New Jersey, and uncover a strange walking stick buried in the soil. One boy feels an immediate, nameless dread and keeps his distance; the other is drawn to it, pulling it free and revealing a grim truth beneath the earth—a human skull buried alongside the object. The discovery hints at an old, unfinished wrong, and a wood that has long remembered what was done there, waiting patiently for someone to find it.

    The stick first surfaces in the life of Peter Brightly, a forty-two-year-old antique dealer struggling to hold together the fragments of his life after a painful divorce. As Peter becomes increasingly attached to the object, his health, judgment, and moral center begin to erode. The wood exerts a quiet pull, the past presses closer, and Peter is forced to confront how far he is willing to go to protect his own sanity.

    read more
  • NEW

    Online Workshops for Spring: Self-Publishing Basics, and Fiction Wrting Essentials

    January 28, 2026 /

    All times are eastern (New Jersey) – 2 Hours in most cases
    Register at the links below.

    https://buy.stripe.com/6oUeVca2ngZT0AM5PmdEs01

    Self-Publishing Basics
    Saturday, March 28 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET via Zoom ($40)

    Have a manuscript you’d like to publish but you’re not sure how? This 2 hour workshop covers the basics of turning your book into a product page, from cover design to formatting. It has an emphasis on KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) but covers aspect of DIY publishing for any platform. Limited to 10 participants via Zoom.

    https://buy.stripe.com/9B628q6QbgZTbfq0v2dEs02

    Fiction Writing Essentials
    Saturday, April 4 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET via Zoom ($40)

    Have you wondered where story ideas come from? Or how to take an idea and turn it into fiction? What do you do when you get stuck? How are some of the ways we can keep ourselves going from the whisper of an idea to a full-fledged short story or novel? Learn structure, outlining, narrative, point of view, and more, as you become what you want to be, or what you already are: a writer. Yes, you can!

    WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

    “I’ve been working with Mark on my autobiography for several months. He is insightful, talented, and a wonderful asset in bringing my life’s story to the page. He made it possible and pleasant. And fun!” – K.C.

    Fiction Writing Essentials: A 2-Hour Workshop

    “5 Stars for an informative, and inspiring online workshop given by Mark McNease. The well organized 2 hour workshop provided just the right amount of content to help writers begin their creative path.  As an author of three books I found this course provided new insights into the craft of writing as well as reinforced others that needed a refresh.” – Robert M.

    “Well done …! I’m really impressed with your knowledge and experience; you have a lot of credibility when you talk about this subject. And reminding people that you’re sharing from your experience (e.g., know your ending is “my approach”) validates folks who might have a different approach.” – Stephen D.

    “Level up your writing game! I recently took this workshop and transformed my skills. McNease is a pro – always as an author I’ve long enjoyed, and now as an instructor. His knowledge and passion for writing are infectious.” – Rick R.

    “I’m just beginning to dabble in fiction writing, so I was nervous about participating in Mark’s workshop, worried that I would not belong among more-experienced writers. It turns out that I had nothing to worry about! … I was warmly welcomed and encouraged by Mark and the other participants. Mark’s workshop was logically organized, well-paced, and packed with useful information.” – Amanda M.

    Guided Autobiography: A 2-Hour Introductory Workshop

    “I had a blast! Mr. McNease’s workshop was a revelation. His ability to quickly break through writer’s inhibition and get you to simply write is refreshing.  He quickly set my mind at ease! Highly recommend him.” – Al

    “I thoroughly enjoyed your workshop for Guided Autobiography. The exercises were fun, and I enjoyed sharing with others in the group. I came away feeling less daunted about this sort of writing. It does not have to be a huge work. It can be fun and entertaining, a way to tell stories about life, that in the telling may unearth new thoughts and perspectives.” – Val

     

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  • The Twist Podcast

    The Twist Podcast 318: Secrets of Greenland Revealed, Mark Loves Eat Clean, and Our New Twist Hit List

    January 24, 2026 /

    This week on The Twist Podcast, we’re serving up fun facts about Greenland that might surprise you (hint: it’s way more interesting than just ice). We also recommend Eat Clean, a food delivery service that makes healthy meals easy and satisfying—no sad salads involved.

    Plus, we dive into our always-relatable “What Bugs Us” list, covering those everyday irritations that prove we’re definitely not alone.

    Curious, funny, and opinionated as ever—Episode 318 brings facts, food, and friendly venting in one smart listen.

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  • DEVIL'S WOOD AUDIO,  NEW

    ‘Devil’s Wood’ Cover Survey, PLUS Listen to Chapter 1: Sticks and Stones

    January 19, 2026 /

    I’m 10 chapters into my new book, Devil’s Wood, about a cursed and ancient walking stick that brings ruin to anyone who posseses it. But why? Where did it come from? Who made it? And can the evil in the Devil’s wood be stopped?

    HELP ME CHOOSE A COVER! TAKE THE SURVEY HERE (limited to 40 responses). Cover on the left? Cover on the right? A combination of the two, or start over?

    And now …. I'll be publishing the audio version of one chapter each week, right here at mamcnease.com/. You can check back every week, or SUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK, On the Write Path With Mark McNease, where I’ll be sharing it with my subscribers every Monday.

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