From the Booking Desk:

Jeffrey Marks and I have been friends on the various social media outlets for a while now, but it wasn’t until this past year’s Malice Domestic that we actually met in person – albeit, far too briefly. We have already committed to making sure we have time for a lengthy chat at the next Malice Domestic. He is an invaluable member of our crime fiction family and I just know you all are going to love his composite sketch answers.

Name: Jeffrey Marks
Location: Cincinnati, OH

This person from my personal life is such an inspiration:

Easy question to start with. I have strong women in my family (mother and grandmother) who would get an honorable mention, but my inspiration is my husband. He inspires me. In so many ways he’s my complement. (except for we’re both geographically challenged, so finding a new restaurant or activity is beyond us both.) So he has many traits that I’d like to be, but have never been good at (home improvements) or never had time for (relaxing.) Just through his actions and his bearing, he’s a role model for me in wanting to be a better person. His ability to forgive sets a high bar for me, who would hold a grudge into the next millennium. He’s always been supportive of me and my dreams, and I credit his support for allowing me to become a publisher – as well as a writer.

One of the people I admire most in the crime fiction community is:

Hands down, Laura Lippman. I first met her when we shared a panel at Mid-Atlantic (I believe) several years ago. I was giving my standard answers to the questions, and she spoke with a thoughtfulness and deliberation that showed both preparedness and intelligence. I ran to the bookroom after the panel and purchased everything they had by her. Her works are everything that her responses promised to be. I actually forced myself to wait to read Sunburn until I was out of school, so I could spend the time savoring it and thinking about the layers in the book. I’m glad I did.

STALKER ALERT! If this fictional character were real, they would likely need to get a restraining order against me:

Ellery Queen. In my middle teen years, I went through a period where I read nothing but the books featuring the aesthetic detectives (Van Dine, Queen, O’Breen, etc) They were great fun, and I loved every moment of them. I must confess to a short period of time where I wanted to wear pince nez and I had a bad habit of dropping the ending g of my words.

The EQ Jr series featured a Scottie named Champ, and my first Scottish terrier was named Ellery. I go back and reread them every few years and they still make me smile.

People are always surprised that I am a fan of this individual (singer, actor, or artist):

I’m a huge fan of P!nk. Not sure why this always surprises people, but it does. She stands up for minorities and those who don’t fit in. She’s political, insightful and bares her soul for her art. However, in the words of one of my students, “That fact scares me.” So I guess that I don’t look like a fan.

My personal catch phrase is (or should be):

I’ve reinvented myself more times than Madonna. I have been an IT guy, writer, marketing guru, magazine writer, teacher, publisher, wedding officiant and I’m sure I’m forgetting a few more. I don’t know what’s next but it will be fun and exciting and different.

Find out more about Jeffrey here