An Interview with John B. Marek

I am an independently published author, rural advocate, and outdoor guide with a passion for storytelling that connects people to the natural world. Over the years, I have written numerous books, essays, and articles that explore themes of outdoor adventure, rural life, and the profound connections we share with our natural surroundings. My work has appeared in publications such as Backwoods Home Magazine, Countryside, Speckled Paw Times, and North Carolina Outdoors, and I have been honored with multiple awards for my fiction.

Before dedicating myself full-time to writing, I spent two decades as an economic and community developer, focused on fostering resilient and sustainable rural communities. That experience significantly informs my writing – especially the interplay between people, place, and purpose.

Nowadays, you can find me crafting stories inspired by the rugged beauty of the North Carolina mountains, where I maintain an off-grid camp, or exploring the wild places that fuel my creativity.

When not writing or exploring, I volunteer at my local community garden and share my love of nature through workshops and public readings.

Whether writing a novel, facilitating a workshop, or guiding a thrilling mountain adventure, my mission remains the same: to capture the raw essence of the wild and inspire others to appreciate and cherish it just as deeply.

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

Hellbender is the second book in my Owen Sinclair series, which follows a North Carolina park ranger as he navigates work, life, love, and an uncanny knack for getting himself into dangerous, mysterious, and sometimes bizarre situations. When I set out to write Hellbender and the first book in the series, Craven Fork, I had a particular objective in mind. These are escape books, perfect for a trip to the beach or the mountains. The characters are relatable and engaging. The plots are fast paced, filled with thrills and chills, but ‘out there’ enough to remind you that it’s just entertainment and all for fun.

I began writing the Owen Sinclair mysteries partly in response to the ‘retirement’ of one of my favorite authors, Keith McCafferty. His Sean Stranahan novels had become a regular part of my annual getaway trips, and when he stopped publishing them in 2020, it left a significant hole in my literary world. I missed the regular (and slightly eccentric) cast of characters and the extravagantly convoluted plots, so I decided to create my own little band of misfits and see what trouble I could get them into.

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

It came pretty naturally. I knew the two primary plot threads involved an aging televangelist who survived a 1959 plane crash and the environmental impact of non-native species. A hellbender is a type of salamander found in mountain streams, and the word is also tied to the religious aspect of the book.

Describe your dream book cover.

I design all my own covers, so my ‘dream’ cover is literally the one that’s on the book. I did go through a couple of iterations, including one with more of an illustrated feel.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

The book mentions Crazy by Patsy Cline, and we know Owen is familiar with Josh Ritter from the first book.

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

Right now, I’m reading a fantasy rom-com called Wish Wrecked by a local author named Sara George. It’s not really my genre, but she was sitting next to me at a book event, and I heard her pitch so many times I decided to give it a try. I actually try to avoid books in my outdoor mystery/thriller genre during the process of finishing a new book.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

Prior to becoming a full-time writer in 2023, I spent two decades as a rural economic and community developer. It was interesting and meaningful work, and I think the experience brings authenticity to the way I write about small towns and the people who live and work in them.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I have been writing and telling stories since I was a kid. I traveled quite a bit for business in the late nineties and early noughties and would sketch out stories while sitting in the airport. In 2016, on a whim, I entered one of those stories in a contest and was shocked when I won. That led me to publish my first short story collection in 2017. I also give a Wisconsin author named Michael Perry’s books a lot of credit for helping me find the voice that permeates my memoirish books, Ben and the Art of Lawnmower Maintenance, Such Is Life in Vacationland, and Falling Up the Hill.

Where is your favorite place to write?

I do much of my writing in public places, especially coffee shops and craft breweries. There’s just something about the energy that inspires me. I have three or four regular spots where I go almost every week, but I also enjoy trying out new places.

What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?

Write as much as you can, as often as you can.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

The book touches on themes of faith, redemption, and forgiveness. I hope readers take some solace and inspiration from those.

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Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.