Mark’s Comments (group member since Aug 26, 2025)

Mark’s comments from the Try Not to Die: An Interactive Adventure group.

We planned the release of Try Not to Die: By Your Own Hand to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day. I spent a lot of my life struggling with the idea of wanting to end it, and have dealt with quite a few brain/mental health issues along the way (many due to my reckless lifestyle and all the traumatic brain injuries)
Try Not to Die means more to me than just the series and I now use that as my mantra. I'm no longer just satisfied with just surviving day to day, but actively trying to make each of those days a little better, either for me or someone I encounter.
I'm proud of all the private conversations I've had with readers regarding their own struggles and thought I'd open this topic in case anyone cares to share (semi)publicly. All humans experience pain, but I believe that those who share their pain and realize they aren't alone in it, are the ones who handle it the best.
But I also understand 100% if no one comments here. More than anything, I just want you all to know that I'm here if you need someone to listen.

Jacek wrote: "I would be happy to participate as well, as I am looking forward to this book."

Awesome! Thank you for joining us.

Christina wrote: "Mark wrote: "Christina wrote: "Cool people- Dan Franklin or Debra Castaneda!"

Great suggestions. I am in talks with Dan and hope that we will do one in 2026/2027. Debra has also been suggested to ..."

Tons of cocaine! Just this morning I added a couple more names to Who's Satan Inside. Always something fun to work on.

I had a fun weekend working on TNTD: With Satan Inside. In this book, the main story branches off into 3 parts. The first two paths are complete and now I'm working on the most brutal and longest of the 3.
It can be hard for me to work on this book too long in one sitting, mainly due to the level of violence and type of injuries. Really trying to imagine some of these things to make the scenes more believable can take its toll on me - and my appetite.
Another thing I'm learning through this book is that Satan is kind of a dick. Sure, he's funny and all that, but man, this guy doesn't pull his punches.

Emily wrote: "I need more."

Perfect. You shall receive more. This initial first week is a long wait but after that we'll speed it up.

Rebecca wrote: "I need more already 😂😂😂 I feel like I'm going back to network television and only getting one episode each week!

Are you going to make a separate post for what we would choose to do? I hope I don..."

Yeah, the one episode a week would drive me nuts. It'll just be like this just for the first week so we can let stragglers discover the contest and vote. The next doc will include both the death scene for the wrong choice and the continuing chapter. I'm hoping to do a new chapter once every 2-3 days so we can get you guys through the book before the release.

Crystal wrote: "i like it already!"

Awesome! It is about to really speed up.

Christina wrote: "Cool people- Dan Franklin or Debra Castaneda!"

Great suggestions. I am in talks with Dan and hope that we will do one in 2026/2027. Debra has also been suggested to me but I haven't reached out yet. I go through spurts where I'll send out 5-10 invitations and then realize I'm already overwhelmed.

Thank you for being the very first people to try not to die in Roswell and Beyond. Today I will post the first chapter along with a poll where you can cast your vote. Correct answers count as 1 point, wrong answers 0. I'm not sure how many chapters we will be able to get through before the Oct 14 release, but I'll try to post at least the first 10 chapters and we have a clear winner. This first round of voting will be open through Friday Sept 12. Things will speed up after then.
At the end of this contest, the person with the most points will win $100 of Try Not to Die merchandise or books.
Here is the link for the first chapter. Link: https://BookHip.com/VKVGFWT
Good luck! Please let me know if you have any problem accessing the chapter.

Very cool to hear. I have not read them, but nice to your impression of him. I'm often more more interested in the quality of a person than the writing.

Rebecca wrote: "I'd love to see one from John Ward! I have vague memories of talking about this with you at B&B, I just can't tell if it actually happened or not 🤣

Grady Hendrix would be my "holy crap I can't bel..."

That's really cool. John and I are talking about the possibility and I love having goals. I was thinking of begging him to write a Who's Satan inside short story.

Shanda wrote: "Yes!! Sounds fun."

Perfect. We're about to start.

Talees wrote: "Me! I want to play! Can't wait 🖤😊"

Great to have you! Thanks for playing.

Rebecca wrote: "heck yeah!!"

Nice! Good luck. I'm about to put up the first chapter and poll.

Eva wrote: "Sounds like fun"

Awesome!. Thanks for joining us.

Shannon Reviews wrote: "Can’t wait!!!"

Awesome! Good luck!

Emily wrote: "just finished an ARC of Heirs to the Dark Web. Reading Island X and Never Flinch."

How was it? Do you tend to enjoy most books you read? Are there any that you won't finish?

Crystal wrote: "me!"

Awesome! First chapter will be posted Saturday.

Crystal wrote: "I haven't started a new one yet. I am slacking."
Or you're just patiently waiting for the TNTD: In Roswell arc. That sounds way better than slacking.

I don't have a lot of time to read anything that isn't Try Not to Die-related, but I'm trying to carve out some time to read CVLT by Duncan Ralston. He's one of my favorite authors and I'm really looking forward to this.

What are you currently reading and are there any recently read books you'd recommend?