-
Audiobook for ‘A Marriage Below Zero’ by Alan Dale Now Available!
Listen to a 20 minute sample – Narration provided by Wondervox
I’ve just released an audiobook edition of ‘A Marriage Below Zero’ by Alan Dale. You can listen to a 20 minute sample by clicking the audio file above OR HERE. It’s just $3.99 at my Payhip storefront storefront, and provides a Zip file with all individual chapters, AND a single MP3 with the entire audiobook.
More about the book …
This month I’ve released a very hidden gem: A Marriage Below Zero, by Alan Dale. It’s one of the earliest published novels to deal with same-sex attraction, narrated by a woman who married a man with a secret life.
A Marriage Below Zero (1889), written by Alan Dale, is a pioneering work of early gay fiction and one of the first English-language novels to center a homosexual male character in a serious, tragic narrative. The story is told from the perspective of Elsie Bouverie, a young woman who enters into what appears to be a promising marriage with the charming and refined Arthur Ravener. At first, their life together seems socially enviable—secure, respectable, and filled with the expectations of Victorian domestic happiness.
But beneath the surface, something is wrong.
Arthur grows emotionally distant, evasive, and restless. Elsie senses that she is not the true object of her husband’s affection. Gradually, she discovers the devastating truth: Arthur is romantically and physically involved with another man. In an era when homosexuality was not only taboo but criminalized, this revelation shatters her understanding of marriage, loyalty, and identity.
Rather than portraying Arthur as a villain, the novel presents him as a man trapped between societal expectations and his authentic self. The “marriage below zero” becomes a metaphor for a union devoid of warmth, passion, and truth—frozen by repression and secrecy. As scandal looms and emotional tensions escalate, the story moves toward a tragic conclusion that reflects the harsh realities faced by gay men in late 19th-century society.
-
The Twist Podcast 320: Tooth Worms, Best Climates to Live In, Terrible Texting and More
Welcome to The Twist Podcast, Episode 320. Join co-hosts Mark and Rick as we drill into the bizarre history of teeth, with tooth worms and contagious cavities.
Then we hear from friends and fans about where the climates they prefer to live in, from dry desert air to breezy coastal towns and everything in between.
And finally, we dive into terrible texting habits and experiences, from relentless reminders to mysterious texters. “Who are you?” by the way.
-
Mark McNease’s Fearsome Fiction Podcast: Night Flight to Murder Town – A Marshall James Thriller (Chapters 4 – 6)
Welcome back to the Fearsome Fiction Podcast. One of my offerings is the weekly serialization of Night Flight to Murder Town: A Marshall James Thriller, book 4. This week Chapters Four through Six take us from the fading shadows of Los Angeles to the restless pulse of New York—and toward a future neither Marshall nor Boo can quite see coming. Marshall says goodbye to a dying friend and the ghosts of his Hollywood past, turns down one last temptation on a city bus, and boards a flight east with more regret than luggage. Years later, settled into marriage and New York life, he finds himself facing a different kind of fear: leaving behind the city that became his identity. Love, loss, survival, and the uneasy sense that life is about to shift again—these chapters mark the end of one era and the trembling beginning of another.
-
MadeMark Publishing to Offer Public Domain Works, Starting with ‘A Marriage Below Zero’ by Alan Dale
This is exciting. As a way to attracted subscribers to my long-running website, LGBTSr.com, I decided to offer free books of select public domain works. Fiction, nonfition, poetry, more will be revealed.
I’m also publishing them for the general public, as both ebooks and paperbacks.
This month I’ve released a very hidden gem: A Marriage Below Zero, by Alan Dale. It’s one of the earliest published novels to deal with same-sex attraction, narrated by a woman who married a man with a secret life.
A Marriage Below Zero (1889), written by Alan Dale, is a pioneering work of early gay fiction and one of the first English-language novels to center a homosexual male character in a serious, tragic narrative. The story is told from the perspective of Elsie Bouverie, a young woman who enters into what appears to be a promising marriage with the charming and refined Arthur Ravener. At first, their life together seems socially enviable—secure, respectable, and filled with the expectations of Victorian domestic happiness.
But beneath the surface, something is wrong.
Arthur grows emotionally distant, evasive, and restless. Elsie senses that she is not the true object of her husband’s affection. Gradually, she discovers the devastating truth: Arthur is romantically and physically involved with another man. In an era when homosexuality was not only taboo but criminalized, this revelation shatters her understanding of marriage, loyalty, and identity.
Rather than portraying Arthur as a villain, the novel presents him as a man trapped between societal expectations and his authentic self. The “marriage below zero” becomes a metaphor for a union devoid of warmth, passion, and truth—frozen by repression and secrecy. As scandal looms and emotional tensions escalate, the story moves toward a tragic conclusion that reflects the harsh realities faced by gay men in late 19th-century society.
-
Mark McNease’s Fearsome Fiction Podcast – New Name, Same Great Storytelling: Night Flight to Murder Town – A Marshall James Thriller (Chapters 1 – 3)
Mysteries. Thrillers. Rare Finds.
I’ve renewed, refreshed, and rebranded my fiction podcast, and I’m thrilled to welcome you to the new Mark McNease’s Fearsome Fiction Podcast. Each week I’ll be sharing several chapters of my own harrowing fiction, the kind of stories that creep under your skin and refuse to leave, along with rare and forgotten gems, and select works from other authors whose voices deserve to be heard in the dark.
If you love mysteries with pulse, thrillers with heart, and stories that don’t behave themselves, you’re in exactly the right place.
You can purchase the entire audiobook HERE.
Or listen on Spotify Premium HERE.
This week: Night Flight to Murder Town: A Marshall James Thriller (Chapters 1 – 3)
Marshall James returns in Night Flight to Murder Town, Book 4 in the series. He’s thinking about leaving New York City with his husband for a quieter life, away from the relentless pace of the nation’s largest city. But how did he get here in the first place?
After three stories detailing his harrowing Hollywood past — where lovers, losers, and more than one serial killer nearly ended his life before he could make something of it — Marshall finally tells us how and why he left LaLa Land for Gotham.
This is the origin story beneath the scars. The turning point. The night everything changed.
-
The Twist Podcast 319: Bad Bunny Banger, Travel Packing Tips, Vacation Recap and More
This week on The Twist Podcast with Mark and Rick, we dance to Bad Bunny’s tune, share listener suggestions for travel packing, and catch up with Mark after a whirlwind vacation. Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and every angel’s top ten playlist.
-
This Week’s Survey: What’s More Important to You As You Age?
As you age, what’s more important to you? Multiple answers okay
Feeling calm and content through the ups and downs of life
Staying curious, creative and engaged
Maintaining friendships and relationships
Feeling seen, valued and heard
Having flexibility with my time and choices
Something else (write in the comments) -
Devil’s Wood Chapter 4: Double Take (AUDIO – Final Tease)
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.
-
Devil’s Wood Chapter 3: Who’ll Stop the Rain? (AUDIO)
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.
-
Devil’s Wood Chapter 2: Going, Going, Gone (AUDIO)
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.
-
Select Titles Now On IngramSpark
Not a fan of Amazon? You can now purchase paperback editions of select titles directly from IngramSpark. More to come!
OPEN SECRETS: A MAGGIE DAHL MYSTERY
NIGHT FLIGHT TO MURDER TOWN: A MARSHHALL JAMES THRILLER
BLACK CAT WHITE PAWS: A MAGGIE DAHL MYSTERY
-
Online Workshops for Spring: Self-Publishing Basics, and Fiction Wrting Essentials
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
-
The Twist Podcast 318: Secrets of Greenland Revealed, Mark Loves Eat Clean, and Our New Twist Hit List
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.
