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Mark D. Trollinger

Goodreads Author

Born

in Victorville, CA, The United States

Website

https://mythsandmalts.com

Twitter

mark_trollinger

Genre

Fiction, Paranormal, Fantasy

Influences

Loren Coleman Lyle Blackburn Lee Murphy Aaron Elkins Carlene Th ...more

Member Since

March 2010

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In 2016, I did something no one had done before: I combined cryptozoology and craft beer to create the first cryptid-meets-craft-beer fiction series. What started as one experimental book has grown into ten published novels, with an anticipated final total of 34 books exploring legendary creatures, roadside oddities, and America's best breweries.

I write realistic fiction for people who don't normally read fiction. My books feature everyday language, tongue-in-cheek humor, pop culture references, mysterious creatures, and (of course) craft beer. If you like beer, road trips, paranormal TV shows, and keeping an open mind, you'll probably like what I do.

By day, I work in university faculty training and teach marketing, business management, and In 2016, I did something no one had done before: I combined cryptozoology and craft beer to create the first cryptid-meets-craft-beer fiction series. What started as one experimental book has grown into ten published novels, with an anticipated final total of 34 books exploring legendary creatures, roadside oddities, and America's best breweries.

I write realistic fiction for people who don't normally read fiction. My books feature everyday language, tongue-in-cheek humor, pop culture references, mysterious creatures, and (of course) craft beer. If you like beer, road trips, paranormal TV shows, and keeping an open mind, you'll probably like what I do.

By day, I work in university faculty training and teach marketing, business management, and criminal justice. By night (and weekends), I'm chasing cryptids across the country. I'm also part of the 50 State Half Marathon Club, because apparently I enjoy punishment in multiple forms.

Here's the thing: a 2016 Pew Research study found that 26% of Americans haven't read a single book since high school, and the average American adult reads at a 7th-8th grade level. Instead of writing with flowery language or big words, I write the way people actually talk. My books aren't trying to win literary awards. They're for bartenders, brewery regulars, road trippers, and anyone who's ever wondered "what if Bigfoot walked into a taproom?" But if you read with an open mind, you'll encounter something deeper than surface-level beer and cryptids. There are layers if you're looking for them.

All of the beers mentioned in my series are real. All of the breweries are real. The creatures... you decide. When I published The Lizard Man and the Sope Creek Cryptidweizen, that beer was initially fictional. But I worked with a local Phoenix brewery to bring the Sope Creek Cryptidweizen to life, and we released the book and beer together at the brewery. The book is still around, but alas, the Sope Creek Cryptidweizen, like an elusive cryptid, has disappeared into legend.

Cryptozoology and craft beer make an unusual pairing, but that's exactly why it works. And since non-readers don't hang out in libraries or bookstores, I'm taking the books to where they are: breweries. I'm on a nationwide tour, hosting book events at craft breweries across America.

Check out my tour dates at mythsandmalts.com (or visit my events page here on Goodreads). I might be coming to a city near you. Bring your curiosity, your sense of humor, and maybe a designated driver.

Let's crack open a cold one and talk about Mothman. ...more

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Mark D. Trollinger’s books

Average rating: 3.6 · 20 ratings · 10 reviews · 11 distinct works

	The Chupacabra and The Bat Rastard: A Cryptozoology & Craft Beer Adventure 3.54 avg rating — 13 ratings — published 2016 — 12 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Loveland Frog and the Narrow Path: A Cryptozoology & Craft Beer Adventure 3.50 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 2021 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Champ and a Bit of Sunshine: A Cryptozoology & Craft Beer Adventure really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2018 — 10 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Corre 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2016	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Red Ghost and a Chocolate Bunny 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2020 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Tegan Stone and the Gibson County Beast: A Cryptozoology & Craft Beer Adventure 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2022 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Red Ghost and a Chocolate Bunny: A Cryptozoology & Craft Beer Adventure 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Into the Dark With the Maryland Goatman: A Cryptozoology & Craft Beer Adventure 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Kareem Ortiz and the Menehune of Kaua'i: A Cryptozoology & Craft Beer Adventure 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Jersey Devil and the Silky Intergalactic Pajamas: A Cryptozoology & Craft Beer Adventure 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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16 posts
Mark D. Trollinger's Blog

March 2022

Things are moving along well for two new projects. My cover designer Nyssa Iniguez has the craft beer-inspired cover nearly complete. Just a few minor adjustments with contrast and it will be ready to go.

The novella that covers events from the end of Book 4 has received good comments from one of my beta readers. She has read every book in the series and said she liked this one even better then the Read more of this blog post »

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Published on March 07, 2022 12:10

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Series by Mark D. Trollinger

A Cryptozoology & Craft Beer Adventure (5 books)
by

Mark D. Trollinger (Goodreads Author)

3.60 avg rating — 20 ratings

Mark is Currently Reading

Mark Trollinger is currently reading

Stardust Ranch: The Incredible True Story

by John Edmonds

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Feb 08, 2026 12:38PM

Mark Trollinger is currently reading

Revolutionary Suicide

by Huey P. Newton

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Jan 16, 2026 08:42AM

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Mark’s Recent Updates

Mark Trollinger is now friends with Liz Moon
Mar 15, 2026 09:02AM · 1 like · like
Mark Trollinger and 1 other person liked Nicole Charlton-nauroth's review of The Ringdocus and a Guy on a Buffalo: A Cryptozoology & Craft Beer Adventure (T.I.M.E. Agency): "Another fun adventure for the TIME crew. The supernatural has entered the story in a big way, and I’m not sad about it. I love stories where the real world and the supernatural intersect (i.e., Jim Butcher, Kevin Hearne). The character development an" Read more of this review »
Mar 09, 2026 08:58AM · see review
Mark Trollinger rated a book really liked it Honey Island Swamp Monster Documentations by Dana Holyfield (2012-06-07) by HONEY ISLAND SWAMP MONSTER DOCUMENATATIONS	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
If you want to understand the Honey Island Swamp Monster legend the right way, start here. Dana Holyfield built this book on her grandfather Harlan Ford's original documentation from Slidell, Louisiana. He was the man who first brought this cryptid t ...more
Mar 09, 2026 08:37AM · like · see review
Mark Trollinger is now following HONEY ISLAND SWAMP MONSTER DOCUMENATATIONS Author of HONEY ISLAND SWAMP MONSTER: DOCUMENTATIONS
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Mark Trollinger is currently reading Stardust Ranch: The Incredible True Story by John Edmonds	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Feb 08, 2026 12:38PM · 1 like · like
Mark Trollinger wants to read Pet Sematary by Stephen King (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 30, 2026 09:13AM · 1 like · like
Mark Trollinger wants to read ’Salem’s Lot by Stephen King (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 30, 2026 09:13AM · 1 like · like
Mark Trollinger is currently reading Revolutionary Suicide by Huey P. Newton	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Mark Trollinger wants to read An Authenticated History of the Famous Bell Witch by M.V. Ingram	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Mark Trollinger wants to read The Honey Island Swamp Monster by George Dudding	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Nightmares and Dr...: * What Books Have You Just Laid Down?	274	168	Mar 12, 2026 05:23AM

Mark’s Quotes

“He who fights too long against dragons becomes a dragon himself; and if you gaze too long into the abyss, the abyss will gaze into you.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche

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