Mark Worthen

In addition to being an amazing editor and author, Mark Worthen was a dear friend.

I met Mark at a point in my life when I wasn't sure if writing was for me. I knew I wanted to write, but I wasn't sure if I could put up with all the bullshit that (at that point) seemed to go along with it. Mark founded the Midwest Writers of Horror, though, and invited me to participate. It didn't take long for me to realize that Mark was more than a fellow writer. He was a brother who was encouraging and inspiring and unwilling to let me wallow in self-pity. He spoke in a soft, deep voice that might have been a little menacing if you couldn't hear the warmth, kindness, and love behind his every word.

Mark was one of the most talented writers I've ever met. His passion for the written word, for storytelling, and for the horror genre came through in every short story or novel he penned. His work appeared in Thicker Than Water, Thinner Than Mist, Open Graves, Horror Library, and Beneath the Stones. He edited the online magazine Blood Rose.

He was an active member of the Horror Writers Association.

Mark passed away earlier this week. I'll miss him terribly, and I consider myself lucky to have known him.

We really shook the pillars of Heaven, man.

Horrorfind Weekend (I wanna say 2005)