Picture a storyteller who swapped a counseling career for tales of zombie fashionistas and transsexual werewolves—meet Mark Henry! Born in 1968, this American urban fantasy author crafts stories that blend horror, humor, and biting social satire. His Amanda Feral series has carved a unique niche, delighting readers with its irreverent take on the undead. From his Pacific Northwest home, Henry continues to push the boundaries of urban fantasy with a wicked grin.
The Making of Mark Henry
Mark Henry, born June 12, 1968, in Springfield, Missouri, didn’t start as a writer. Initially a counselor, he traded helping minds for scarring them with fiction, influenced by a quirky childhood. Premature exposure to horror movies, a polyester fetish, and surviving earthquakes, typhoons, and volcanic eruptions shaped his wild imagination. Living in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, Caroline, and four furry 'monsters,' Henry found the perfect backdrop for his dark, comedic tales.
Mark Henry’s Unforgettable Stories
Henry’s Amanda Feral series is his crown jewel, kicking off with Happy Hour of the Damned (2008). This debut follows zombie socialite Amanda Feral navigating Seattle’s supernatural nightlife with her undead pals, Wendy and Gil. Its mix of glamour, gore, and snark set the tone for sequels like Road Trip of the Living Dead (2009) and Battle of the Network Zombies (2010), where Amanda tackles mysteries with biting wit. Writing as Daniel Marks, Henry also penned Velveteen, a young adult fantasy blending ghostly goth vibes with emotional depth.
His style is a gleeful mashup of comedy, horror, and social commentary, featuring sentient zombies, impotent sex demons, and transsexual werewolves. Henry’s stories don’t shy away from the absurd or taboo, using urban settings to explore human (and inhuman) quirks. His work in anthologies like Carniepunk showcases his knack for creepy, compact tales, cementing his reputation for pushing urban fantasy to delightfully twisted extremes.
Why Mark Henry Matters
Mark Henry’s impact lies in his fearless irreverence, blending humor and horror to challenge urban fantasy norms. His Amanda Feral series offers a fresh lens on the genre, prioritizing wit and satire over typical tropes. By embracing diverse, unconventional characters, Henry’s work resonates with readers craving stories that are as thought-provoking as they are entertaining. His influence endures in the genre’s growing appetite for bold, boundary-pushing narratives.
- Born: June 12, 1968, Springfield, Missouri
- Key Works: Happy Hour of the Damned, Road Trip of the Living Dead, Battle of the Network Zombies, Velveteen
- Genre: Urban Fantasy
- Pseudonym: Daniel Marks (for YA fiction)
Snag Happy Hour of the Damned and dive into Mark Henry’s deliciously twisted urban fantasy world!