The Community Model
This isn't traditional publishing. Mark's readers are collaborators, not just consumers. When a reader suggested that Detective Zara Bailey needed more depth and agency in the Motte & Bailey Mysteries, Mark didn't just take notes—he rewrote major scenes to give her the prominent role she deserved.
The community literally shapes the stories as they unfold. Reader discussions about character motivations influence plot direction. Questions about archaeological procedures lead to more detailed research and richer world-building. Theories about "whodunit" sometimes reveal plot holes that get fixed before the resolution.
This is what makes the project different: you're not just reading a story, you're helping to tell it.
Through weekly chapter releases on Patreon and community discussions on Substack, Mark has created a space where the traditional boundaries between author and reader blur. The result is richer stories, more engaged readers, and a truly collaborative creative process.
Why Serial Fiction?
Rediscovering Anticipation
Before Netflix binges, people used to wait for the next episode, the next chapter, the next installment. Serial fiction brings back that delicious anticipation—the joy of not knowing what happens next because the author is discovering it alongside you.
Building Community
Weekly releases create natural discussion points. Readers theorize, debate, and connect over shared mysteries. The comment sections become as engaging as the stories themselves, creating a community around the shared experience of discovery.
Other Projects
Plague Doctor Press
Comics Publishing
Independent comics publisher focusing on genre fiction, horror, and mystery comics. Bringing the same community-focused approach to the comics medium.
Mystery Maniacs Podcast
Co-Host
Weekly podcast exploring classic and contemporary mystery fiction. Deep dives into what makes great mysteries tick, from Agatha Christie to modern Scandi noir.
Web Development
Day Job
Professional web developer specializing in user experience and accessibility. The same attention to detail that goes into debugging code goes into plotting mysteries.
Connect with Mark
Ready to Join the Community?
Start with free preview chapters and discover what makes collaborative storytelling special.