Author Bio:
I am primarily known for my work as a songwriter and as an executive in the music industry but i have been writing stories all of my life. After growing up in poverty and suffering through the abusive horrors of foster care, I graduated high school. Within a couple of years of graduating high school I was in the renown Quincy Jones Workshop and had a hit record with Latin-Soul-Jazz band Mandrill (they are the most sampled band in Hip Hop). A bit later I went to work with Upstart punk-thrash label Mystic Records where, as national promotion Director I helped launch and promote the careers of No FX , Ill Repute, Dr. Know, RKL, Bad Religion,The Mentors, Suicidal Tendencies, The Stepps (Fallon Brothers) and many others. Mysitc Owner Doug Moody and I also coined and promoted the Nardcore and Slimy Valley music scenes among others.
In the 1990’s my organization Affiliated Independent Record Companies and The Independent Music Association found plaintiffs for the Federal Trade Commission and two class action suits which stopped predatory price fixing practices by Major labels against independent record stores which artificially inflated CD’s to as high as $20.00 each. The first lawsuit was won by our members and netted 178 million and the second on behalf of consumers netted CD buyers across america a quarter of a billion dollars.
I have also worked as a teacher at a high school in an urban school district for many years and have traveled throughout Europe, the Caribbean and other parts of the globe. All of this time I have been writing, All of these multi faceted experiences have informed my writing. I am now spending more time writing than any other endeavor although I still teach and work with Mystic Records.
As a writer I am primarily known as A Storyteller because that’s what I do, I tell stories. The readers who enjoy my books like reading that sparks their imagination. They like stories with memorable and quirky characters on unusual topics. They like unexpected twists and turns in the plot. If any of these things my readers enjoy describe you, then you too will enjoy my writing.
I am comfortable writing in many different genres. I write both humorous and serious fiction. Some of my stories are based on true events, others are totally my invention. It is up to you, the reader, to decide which stores are based on factual events and which are completely my invention because I’m not telling. I like to tell stories and I work very hard at making those stories both compelling and entertaining. I hope people enjoy reading my books.
What inspires you to write?
My life experiences, my imagination and my vivd creativity compel me to write.
Tell us about your writing process.
I create a first draft as if I am cutting a vein, the writing just pours out of me. Later, I make minor adjustments but my first draft is usually pretty close to what I want to write.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I don’t listen or talk to my characters, they talk to me. I tend to create out of experiences I had or have learned about or out of dreams. Many of my characters are based on real people or a composite of people I have known or known of.
Who are your favorite authors?
I don’t have favorite authors but I like particular works by authors.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
When the digital e-book era began I found an opportunity to put out a lot more material than I could otherwise afford to.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think it will remain digital for a while .
What genres do you write?
All genres of stories mostly fiction.
What formats are your books in?
eBook
Website(s)
Link To Mark Wilkins Page On Amazon