How Could I Forget? / Happenings In The Outhouse 07-Aug-2026

When you're working on your first story (or first piece of art or whatever you're doing for a hobby or business) it's easy to count the number of items you have created.  But as time goes on, that list begins to grow.

I highly suggest keeping a list of items you have created early on--very early on, in my opinion.  I have been keeping a list of stories I have written since I first started publishing, but truth be told I have written so much before that.

Over the past year I have been trying to be more organized.  I have a board behind me in my office that I have stories tacked onto.  Stories that are out making the rounds (i.e. Writers of the Future) and many that are works-in-progress.

Then, every once and a while or while I am going through folders (either physical or digital) I discover a story I either started or finished.  Or a story idea that was good at the time but did nothing with it.  Is the story still good?  Is it worth writing now?

I have three completed novels that I wrote long before I started publishing, and they are just sitting in the proverbial folder just waiting in the wings.  Two are horror novels and one is a large epic fantasy.  At last count I have well over 100 stories that I have either written/completed or have started to write.

And I am just getting started . . .

July Ending Strong / Happenings In The Outhouse 31-July-2026

Just a quick note for all of my readers out there.

July is starting out very strong on the writing front.  I am currently around the 45,000-word count for my work-in-progress.

My goal within the next few weeks is to complete it, do what needs to be done with it, and get it out to the world.

New Covers for Shadowkill Trilogy / Happenings In The Outhouse 24-July-2026

My Shadowkill Trilogy has been out for a while.  But boy oh boy did they need a bit of a makeover.

The Shadowkill Trilogy (3 book series) Kindle Edition

The Complete Shadowkill Trilogy (The Shadowkill Trilogy) - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Here are the updated covers:

And here is for the boxset of the complete trilogy.

I also updated the blurb (description) for each one.  These are so much better than the first ones.  More in line with what the stories are.

Starting Out Strong / Happenings In The Outhouse 17-July-2026

Hard to believe, as of this writing, that we are already in the middle of July.  It's been an interesting year so far.  Lots of stories being published, and lots of updates to older novels that just needed to be polished up a bit.

I am currently at work on a new novel.  I am roughly 26,000 words into it, and hope to get it out and published within a month.

My goal for the quarter is to publish two full-length novels.  I have other goals, but this one is a biggie.  I have a spreadsheet that I'm tracking my daily progress.  I have a daily, weekly goals, writing a particular amount of words in any given day and week to make that goal.

Two More New Short Stories / Happenings In The Outhouse 10-July-2026

Greetings again, fellow readers!

Once again, I have more tales for you to peruse at your leisure.  Two more short stories.  One is a science fiction story with a bit of a twist at the end and the other has elements of time travel to one of my favorite eras, the 1980's.

The first is Over The Cosmos.

Amazon.com: Over The Cosmos eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"Welcome to Hailey's Gate, the luxurious, elegant cruiseliner, as it gives the finest tours of the entire galaxy.  Your tour guide is none other than Alonzo Cupid.  No matter who you are, from the ultra wealthy to a young couple in love, Alonzo treats all of his guests with the utmost care.

Over The Cosmos is a quirky science fiction story that will keep you on the edge of your seat to the very end."

You may purchase Over The Cosmos here at Amazon Amazon.com: Over The Cosmos eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store or wherever you purchase your favorite ebooks.

The second book is Closed For Winter.

Amazon.com: Closed For Winter eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"Patrick Oakland has never been back to his hometown in over twenty-five years.  But on a chance meeting as he passes through town, he stops at a small cafe.  Across the street is an old movie theater that has been closed for many years.

What he finds inside not only brings back memories of his youth, it also transports him to a time when a young boy his age went missing.

Will he finally be able to unravel the truth behind the disappearance?"

You may purchase Closed For Winter here on Amazon Amazon.com: Closed For Winter eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store or wherever you purchase your favorite ebooks.

Enjoy!!

A Pair Of Romance Stories / Happenings In The Outhouse 03-July-2026

Fellow readers, here are two romance short stories that may have you tugging at your heart strings.

The first is Giant Among Legends.
Giant Among Legends - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

"Colton James and Denise Schwartz have a bond few can fathom.  A bond that goes beyond simple friendship.

For as far back as they can remember, Colton and Denise have been best friends.  They share so many interests and dreamed of one day being astronauts, of building a colony together on the moon.

Giant Among Legends is a cute teen romance short story that will have you reaching for the box of tissues over and over again."

Here's the Amazon link Giant Among Legends - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. or you can also find it wherever you purchase your favorite ebooks.

The second story is Cashing In.  It is set in my Short Order Cop Cozy Mystery series.

Amazon.com: Cashing In eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"When Carla Deere learns that her new client is Kevin Stubbs from the Charity Police Department, she wonders if it is the same Kevin Stubbs she went to high school with.  They were supposed to go on a date their senior year but they had to cancel due to an unexpected blizzard.  Is it finally time, after all these years, for a second chance at a first date?

Cashing In is a cute meet short story in the Short Order Cop Cozy Mystery series."

Here is the link to Amazon to purchase Amazon.com: Cashing In eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store or wherever you purchase your favorite ebooks.

Here is the link to the cozy mystery series: The Short Order Cop Cozy Mystery Series (1 book series) Kindle Edition

New Mystery Novel / Happenings In The Outhouse 26-June-2026

Page Turner (Tad Wellstone Mysteries Book 1) - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

"It is the one case Detective Tad Wellstone hopes to solve before retiring.  Twenty years ago, a young lady disappeared without a trace.  Only a single drop of blood on a cell phone was found.  He soon discovers, written within the pages of a bestselling novel, as if the story is ripped right from the headlines, a detailed path leading to her body.

But that isn't all.

Page Turner is a suspenseful mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat, guessing to the very end."

Check out this new novel on Amazon or wherever you purchase your ebooks.

Page Turner (Tad Wellstone Mysteries Book 1) - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

And be sure to check out the two short stories, Along Came The Bodies and A Sense Of Place, also in the same series. Tad Wellstone Mysteries (1 book series) Kindle Edition