Mark, I have NEVER been a reader in my life. I mean really! My joke to my brothers, who devour books, was always that I have read 4 books in my life, Charlotte's Web, Anastasia Krupnik, A Hardy Boys book, and How to play Chess:-) After my recent divorce I wanted to change some things about myself. My wife always loved reading, and said how she got lost in books. I thought that would be a positive change and I wanted to give it a shot. Your Origins book was my first book, and I got hooked!!! I loved your stories! I don't know much about styles and whatnot, I just know I really liked your story, and I think I have found my preferred genre. On a side note, you love saying "The business end" of something haha!
I just wanted you to know, that in some small ways you have had a very good impact on me! I look forward to reading you throughout your career.
Thank you for being an Author!
Regards,
Chris

Welcome back to the written word there Chris, and I really appreciate the compliment that my books had a hand in that. It means a lot.

I was actually in the same not reading much boat as you. The one that turned me around was The Da Vinci Code. Everyone gives it a bum rap for Dan Brown's so-so writing style, but man was that a fun story to read along with his others. Now I try and read at least one per month, though writing my own books cuts into that time something fierce these days.

Out of curiosity, how did you find my books? I'm still trying to figure out all of this marketing stuff to see what works and doesn't.

As far as making changes in your life goes, when my father passed away a few years back I took up running by signing up for a 5K run/walk. It sounds weird, but that time with just my headphones on, music playing, and my thoughts to myself during the training runs was very therapeutic. Everything felt so out of my control, but that time was mine, I controlled if I ran fast, slow or even walked, and that was very empowering. I don't know if that's an option for you or not, but it helped me get past a very hard time in my life.

Just be warned, running can be addictive. I've done a few half and full marathons since then and have even ventured into Triathlons and just signed up for the Ironman Wisconsin race next September. Addictive I tell you.

Thanks for dropping me a line and good luck with things.

Mark

I have a kindle app that was on the tablet I recently bought. I did a search within that app for alternative history, and your book popped up. Never underestimate how many people do judge a book by its cover! I thought for free...what's the risk?
Since I have to wait for your next book, I read The Atlantis Gene by AG Riddle and liked it enough I am going to book 2. I think it is the historical science fiction that I actually like.

Chris,

If you have only read Mark's first book, Origins, you really need to get the next 3 in the series.......Book Two Origins: Centurion's Rise, Book Three Origins: Reformation and Book Four Origins: The Reich. I guarantee you won't regret any of them. Then you can join the rest of us Mark Henrikson fans as we eagerly await the fifth and last book in the series.

So glad to hear that you have become a "reader"! I read constantly and take my Kindle everywhere I go :)

Mark,

Great to see this Book 5 Update!! Although I am eagerly awaiting Book 5, it will be a sad day for me when I reach the end of Hastelloy's and his crew's adventures. As you know, I am in love with Hastelloy and will probably go into mourning when I have to say goodbye to him :(

You have a fan-for-life in me and I look forward to whatever adventure you have in store for us down the road on your journey of being an author......................take care and keep up the great work!!

Mark, you asked what drew us to your book, here's my story. All of my favorite writers are getting older (Sorry Mr's King, Koontz,and Jakes). I'm looking for people to read. I try new authors if they offer a free book great, if not, if it looks good I'll try it. You offered Origin #1 for free and I read it and I'm hooked. You have a wonderful style of writing, you use humor, and being a sort of history buff helped make these books enjoyable for me. I wish you'd continue the series but I certainly understand why you wish to move on to something else. Maybe in a few years you can write a book about all the things they did during the time you haven't written about. You have a fan and I'll follow your work as long as I can. Good Luck

Shelia Roy

Shelia, you and I are on the same wavelength there. I’ve been kicking around the idea of telling individual crewmember stories during the American Revolutionary War, Napoleonic Wars, the American Civil War, and WWI. I couldn’t really get into those eras with this series because of how the present day storylines needed to move along. As a standalone series it might be fun though. I’ve also toyed with writing a prequel series about first contact made with the Alpha, though that would involve a whole new cast of characters and be a lot more space operaish. Lots of possibilities, but they will all have to wait at least a year.

Publishing two books this year has left me pretty burned out. I plan on taking most of 2015 off from writing to train for and check off one of my bucket list items – finish an Ironman triathlon race (signed up for Ironman Wisconsin in September 2015). Training runs and rides seem to be where I work through a lot of plot issues, so I expect I’ll probably outline some books during the year, but I don’t expect any serious writing to take place until 2016 for me. Don’t you worry though, I’ll be back to spend time with Hastelloy and the crew again. When I’m not burned out, it is just too much fun writing their stories to not continue with it.

Mark