Picture a storyteller who wrestles prehistoric sea monsters onto the page and casts a line into the abyss of the unknown—meet Max Hawthorne! Known as the 'Prince of Paleo-fiction,' this American indie author has thrilled readers with his heart-pounding Kronos Rising series, blending science, suspense, and giant marine predators. But Hawthorne’s story is more than just novels; it’s a wild ride of cryptid research, world-record fishing, and a podcast that dives into marine mysteries.
From his Brooklyn roots to his adventures as an angler and paleontologist, Hawthorne’s life fuels his fiction. His tales of pliosaurs and krakens aren’t just stories—they’re a love letter to the ocean’s untamed depths, crafted with a fisherman’s grit and a scientist’s curiosity.
The Making of Max Hawthorne
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Philadelphia, Max Hawthorne’s journey to authorship was anything but ordinary. With a BA from Central High School and a BFA from the University of the Arts, he honed his creative edge early on. His childhood artistry—painting, sculpting, and drawing—set the stage for vivid storytelling. But it was a 2002 trip to the Florida Keys, aboard a ship tied to Hemingway’s legacy, that sparked his writing. Overcoming self-doubt, Hawthorne channeled his love for the sea, paleontology, and adventure into his debut novel, Kronos Rising, proving perseverance can turn dreams into bestsellers.
Max Hawthorne’s Unforgettable Stories
Hawthorne’s Kronos Rising series is a pulse-pounding saga of prehistoric marine reptiles—like pliosaurs the size of whales—unleashed on modern oceans. The 2014 debut, Kronos Rising, follows sheriff Jake Braddock battling a creature freed from a Cuban caldera, earning comparisons to Jaws and Jurassic Park. Its sequels, Kraken: Volume 1 and Kraken: Volume 2, expand the chaos with submarine battles and ancient pathogens, earning Book of the Year and People’s Choice awards. Kronos Rising: Plague, a 2017 novella, bridges the series with a horror twist, blending Jurassic Park with The Walking Dead.
Beyond paleo-fiction, Hawthorne’s versatility shines. Memoirs of a Gym Rat is a hilarious exposé of the health club industry, while Monsters & Marine Mysteries, an Amazon #1 bestseller, dives into cryptid research with eyewitness accounts of sea monsters. His children’s book, I Want a Tyrannosaurus for Christmas, and its #2 World Indie Charts song, show his playful side. Hawthorne’s style—researched, immersive, and thrilling—makes the impossible feel real, with characters and creatures that leap off the page.
Why Max Hawthorne Matters
Hawthorne’s impact lies in his ability to make paleo-fiction roar. His meticulous research and adventurous spirit elevate monster tales into plausible, gripping narratives, inspiring fans of Michael Crichton and Peter Benchley. As an indie author, his rise from self-doubt to bestseller status motivates aspiring writers. His podcast, Max Hawthorne’s Marine Mysteries, and cryptid research spark curiosity about the ocean’s unknowns, blending science with wonder. Hawthorne doesn’t just write—he invites readers to explore the abyss with him.
- Born: April 6, Brooklyn, NY
- Key Works: Kronos Rising, Monsters & Marine Mysteries, Memoirs of a Gym Rat
- Awards: Book of the Year, People’s Choice, AUTHORSdb Gold Medal
- Hobbies: Fishing, archery, boxing, fossil collecting
Snag Kronos Rising and dive into Max Hawthorne’s thrilling paleo-fiction! Whether you’re a sea monster fan or a cryptid curious reader, his worlds will hook you.