Novels by Gary Marks
Modern Fiction / Young Adult Fiction
The Improviser
2025: Music, Romance, Humor, Coming of Age — 62 pages
Josh Martin is a jazz pianist who specializes in free improvisation. As he improvises his way through life he crosses paths with one drummer who wants to destroy him, one drummer who wants to save him, and Lydia, a singer he has nothing in common with except love, and its many variations on a theme.
“The Improviser might just be my favorite Gary Marks novel yet, and I’ve read them all. It’s beautifully written, it’s funny, it’s insightful, and has a pitch-perfect ending. Musicians will relate on a very special level, but even someone who knows nothing about music will love Josh Martin, and the twists and turns of this unhinged and very extraordinary story.”
Romantic Comedy
Nora and I Stole a Car - A Modern Teenage Love Story
2023: Teenage Coming of Age / Humor — 54 pages
A suburban teenage boy watches his life become a crazy mess while just trying to stay out of everyone's way. While attmepting to maneuver through a world of parents, piano teachers, a psychiatrist, a pregnant friend, and a teenage punk primed for trouble, Oliver turns to his girlfriend Nora, the only person he can trust, to try to restore his sanity.
Metaphysical Romance
Orbiting Chaos
2007: Psychological / Poetic / Romantic / Metaphysical — 146 pages
Various coincidences conspire to connect the lives of Gabriel and Laney, two social misfits. A desperate need to run from the past takes each of them on unexpected journeys as they try to find their place in the world.
“Fascinating story and characters with so much heart.”
A Metaphysical Spiritual Comedy
WOW
2013: Quirky / Comedy / Romantic / Philosophical / Spiritual — 119 pages
Who is Zolar, and why should you be listening to him right now? Two kids start an Internet scam, but eventually come to wonder if it’s a scam, or something impossibly true.
Historical Fiction
The Dance and the Diamond Sky
2020 / original publication 1988
Historical / Political / 1960’s / Coming of Age — 329 pages
A megalomaniacal president committing criminal acts in the White House. A senseless war. A corrupt justice system. How long would the nation tolerate the lies and political deception, while helplessly witnessing the assassination of their heroes -- Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King?
The Dance and the Diamond Sky is a semi-autobiographical look at the only nonviolent American revolution in history, seen through the eyes of a small group of innocent friends who get caught in the middle.
While the plot includes plenty of “sex, drugs, and rock and roll,” it is above all a story about the political motivations, and the philosophical and social aspirations, of the hippie movement in the late 1960s. A movement that ended a war, and changed the world.
“An amazing book, beautifully written, about a critical time in our country’s history. Though this coming of age tale is about a time decades removed, The Dance and the Diamond Sky generates wisdom that directly reflects upon the internal and external struggles we face today. There are no cliches here. There is humor, plenty of drama, and a great ending. A story that needed to be written finally was. . . .”
“I’m so glad I was able to delve into the world evoked by Gary Marks.... Marks succeeds in transporting his narrative back into the late 1960s. In fact, from the first page I felt like I’d traveled back in time. There’s a lyricism to both the language and the plot that’s mesmerizing. I also loved the real-world facts and historical figures. They added a richness to the text, and made it clear that Mr. Marks really knows this world.... Gary Marks is a clear talent.”
Romantic Comedy / Coming of Age
Somewhere Beautiful
2009: Humorous / Youthful / Generational / College / Coming of Age — 125 pages
A post-millennial teenager finds himself stumbling through life the summer before college. But the girl he meets on a family vacation in Paris, and a death-defying event back home, alter his perceptions of the world and his place in it.
Somewhere Beautiful was also chosen to be the title, and the first story, of a three novel book by Gary Marks, now in print.
Romantic Drama
Superstar
2007: Romantic / Music business — 139 pages
From roadie to the front cover of Rolling Stone -- this is the story of Jenna James, and her evolution into a rock icon, written from the viewpoint of a young musician who writes the only songs she wants to sing.
Now also part of a book of three novels called, Somewhere Beautiful.
Metaphysical Science Fiction
(T)here
2019: Psychological / Psychedelic / Metaphysical — 100 pages
A young chemist invents a drug that could lead to world peace. In lab experiments it transports the mind to a place of wonder and enlightenment. The pill will cost pennies to make. The world is ready to be changed. There’s only thing standing in the way…..
Now also part of a book of three novels called, Somewhere Beautiful.
Romantic Drama
Love or Time
2024: Modern Adult Romance / Philosophical — 74 pages
Aaron travels to Amsterdam on a whim and meets his dream girl, a waitress working at an Irish cafe near Rembrandt Square. Hanna is a realist. Her parents divorced when she was ten. Aaron has never been able to stay in a relationship for long, but he tries to persuade Hanna, and himself, that their love can overcome time in the end. She believes they will fail. But they're both willing to try. The rest is up to fate.
Romantic Drama / Psychological
Journey Through the Riotous Dark
2010: Romance / Comedy / Psychological / Quirky / College / Coming of Age — 114 pages
This story centers around the mysterious Clair Kinsley - if that's even her real name. She's funny, she's wild, and she loves to create illusions. Shannon thinks he's in love, he thinks he can find out the truth about her. But sometimes the truth becomes too hard to bear.
Surreal Humor
My Name Was Don
2016: Offbeat Comedy — 47 pages
The day finally comes when Don's two realities merge into an inner world he never knew existed.
Romantic Comedy
Rain Dreams
2012: Romantic / Quirky Comedy / Coming of Age — 73 pages
Rain Dreams is a story about two young seekers of adventure. But as they drive away from their dreary small town life they run into headwinds, water in various forms, and an ex-cop-Irish detective dead-set on chasing them down.
Surreal Humor / Romance
Beyond Henry
2017: Eccentric Comedy / Romance / Psychological — 52 pages
Love gets complicated. Life gets complicated. Accidents happen. The questions is, after all the adventures, desires, longing, and life experiences, who is Henry, and who will he become in the end?
Modern Adult Fiction
From the Farthest Places
2018: Psychological / Generational — 77 pages
An empty nester couple is torn apart while trying to understand the eccentric life and mind of their brilliant teenage daughter.
A.I. Sci-Fi / Metaphysical
Autobiography of an A.I.
2022: Socio-Political Sci-fi — 91 pages
Ion Compass gives us a glimpse into the heart and mind of a genetically synthesized human during a time of great political upheaval. Sacrifices are made; the prices paid are steep. The lessons Ion Compass learns as life unfolds are the gifts he chooses to convey in his book, for those who are able to truly understand him.
Modern Fiction / Romance
Emily’s Game
2016: Romantic / Suspense / Finance / Business Empire — 106 pages
Jack Hampton found the perfect wife. Her only imperfection was that she kept secrets from time to time. They were harmless secrets. Except one.
When Emily gets entangled in her father's billion dollar fraud she has to choose between her husband and her father, or create a secret way to save them both.
Humorous / Cyber-World / Coming of Age
One Wild True Moment
2019: Tech World / Comical / Coming of Age — 65 pages
A tale of betrayal and survival in Seattle's hi-tech jungle. Cody, a coder at a cyber-security firm, finds himself surrounded by brilliant scoundrels, including the CEO, the CEO’s daughter, the CEO’s right-hand man, and the city's top detective. He tries to navigate through a maze of lies and trickery, but can't quite find his way -- until he stumbles upon one wild true moment outside the game.
Modern Adult Fiction / Romance
Lilly's Last Words
2019: Romance / Financial world — 94 pages
A brilliant tech millionaire is living his dream life with the woman he loves. Together they can go anywhere, afford anything. But what happens after that? Each of them must decide who they are, and what they really want, in a world that’s theirs for the taking.
Surreal Humor
Shelby's Time
2016: Quirky comedy — 59 pages
Shelby thinks he's from the future. Unfortunately, there's no way to prove it, or to change the present or the past. The event at the river proves to be both his undoing, and a revelation that will allow him to find his way in time.
Music / Comedy
Acoustic Punk
2021: Music Business / Comedy / Satire — 44 pages
David Allington is looking for a miracle to change his life. He was hired to produce a punk band whose drummer couldn't keep time. He was then fired by the record company for firing the drummer. His congressman father disowned him. Life continued to take a turn for the worse until he came up with a new plan -- a long shot. A new star with a new sound. Acoustic Punk!….. Then came COVID 19.
Non-Fiction
How to Change the Channel ~ to Make Thinking Feel Better
2023: Non-Fiction: Psychology / Self-Help — 89 pages
How can you access the best version of yourself, day to day, moment by moment?
This book is an amalgam of parables and consciousness games to help you get control of yourself! (As much as is humanly possible.)
It borrows ideas from various sources, including spiritual teachers, poets, therapists, Abraham Lincoln, the Declaration of Independence, and a Chinese chef from Berkeley. (Thank you, Mr. Shem.)
The Gary Marks Piano Method
Gary Marks Music Piano Method Books
Learn chord and scale theory, improvisation, and how to play songs - without reading notation.
Piano Method Book I and Audio: $15.00
The Piano Method Book I is in PDF format, 119 pages
Each chapter is lead by an audio component in MP3 format.
** following your purchase, email marksland77@gmail.com with your attached amazon receipt to receive your audio download
Piano Method Book II and Audio: $15.00
The Piano Method Book II is in PDF format, 212 pages
Each chapter is lead by an audio component in MP3 format.
** following your purchase, email marksland77@gmail.com with your attached amazon receipt to receive your audio download
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