WRITING and EDITING
Mark has been a published writer since his teens. He produced a comic book fanzine through the late 1960s and into the early 1970s, followed by a stint as a columnist in his father's small-town newspaper, The Wayne Independent. Through the 80s, Mark composed dozens of songs, but also wrote, illustrated and edited newsletters and picture books for businesses and ministries. In the early 90s, he was a "stringer" (a freelance correspondent) for Lancaster Newspapers and an editor of a bi-monthly tabloid for WJTL, a radio station in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
An historical biography of Roger Williams (the founder of Rhode Island and an ancestor of Mark's) was Mark's first published book (in the mid 90s.) More books have followed (history, fiction, kid's books, contemporary novels and cultural issues), as well as many articles in various national and regional periodicals. In 2000, The American Library Association's Booklist chose Mark's historical-fiction novel Longshot as one of the Top 10 Best Christian Fiction Novels of that year.
While employed at North Market Street Graphics (in Lancaster) throughout the 1990s, Mark created promotional ad copy and edited text for many of the nation's top book publishers. He has been content editor (as well as writer and copy-editor) of several Christian devotional books, working with hundreds of authors to edit and revise their work. As a freelancer, he has produced copy for annual reports, community events and websites. He has co-authored books on Christian leadership, and has created biblical curriculum for youth and adults.
WHAT FOLKS SAY ABOUT MARK'S WORK:
"The work Mark did for WTJL's publication On Fire was excellent, and he came through on every detail. From the initial concept to the finished product, he was responsible for putting together a dedicated team of writers and illustrators. As editor, it was his responsibility to make sure that all deadlines were met, and that everything flowed smoothly. I was very pleased with his work ethic and attention to detail."
Tim Landis President of Creative Ministries and publisher of On Fire
"Mark Ammerman has brought a creative skill and personal integrity into my life that continues to bless others every time they pick up one of the five books he edited, drew and designed for me. This man is a treasure to me...and I encourage you to develop a relationship with him and use his wonderful gifts."
Robert C. Evans ("The Donut Man") Children's songwriter and performer
"Mark has the ability to listen to all sides in a contentious issue, communicate impartially with the parties involved, and set down in plain English exactly what transpired. A seasoned veteran, Mr. Ammerman has served our newspaper exceedingly well. He is inspired and eager to use his talents to the best of his ability. If you have a job for him, I have no doubt he can do it."
Jack Roberts Intelligencer Journal editorial staff
"As an individual, Mark is conscientious, dependable and personable. As a reporter and writer, he's outstanding."
Jed Kensinger Correspondence Coordinator for Lancaster Newspapers
"Let's see more of Mr. Ammerman's writing. We need a voice of reason in the media."
John W.W. Loose President of the Lancaster County Historical Soicety and editor of the Society's journal
"He has the pen of a poet. Mark Ammerman should be read. His fluid writing style demands it. When the public discovers him, they will demand more."
George McPeek Former Vice President and Editorial Director at Horizon Books
PUSH: Is This The End?
This first novel of the ELEVENTH HOUR series is
pulse-pounding, page-turning apocalyptic fiction at its finest.
"Extremely well written and exceedingly more responsible in its handling of Revelation than its fictional predecessors."
J. Ed Komoszewski
Coauthor of Reinventing Jesus and Putting Jesus in His Place
The Last Days, the Tribulation, The Rapture, the Return of the Lord: for twenty centuries anow, the Church has wrestled with understanding The End. It's one thing to wrangle about it; it's another to live it. For Matt Clifford, Luis Ramirez, Ali Baraki, Jack Pascov, Jacqui Johnson, and the rest of the multi-cultural cast of PUSH, questions about The End are tied to the events unfolding in their lives each day. On the streets of Moscow, on the sidewalks of Philadelphia, in the mountains of Kazakhstan, and on the back roads of rural Lancaster County, the mysteries of ancient prophecies unfold in the midst of international terrorism, romance, and intrigue.
PURCHASE A COPY of PUSH online at Amazon.com.
Go to www.eleventhhourpush.com for more infomation on PUSH and the ELEVENTH HOUR series.
From LONGSHOT (ALA Booklist TOP 10 book for 2000)
"Annosanah?" From JONNY'S INN (a frontier fiction short story) TURPIN MEADOW SONG
When the dawn lights up the mountain top, CUSTER'S LAST FALL (from The Great Adventure) "Pride goes before...a fall." From JOHN THE BAPTIST (Barbour Books)
Jerusalem, 700 B.C., in the days of Hezekiah, King of Judah SILVERMOON (from The Rain From God) Light from the heavens to brighten and soften the blackest night. SHOES OF CLAY
To view Mark performing his original song, Shoes of Clay, click on the video icon below. Double-click it to see the video full-screen. Then e-mail us and let us know what you think. Thanks! [email protected] |
9/11 (from America, Built on Character, Founded on Faith)
It was the dawning of a perfect New England morning as the last stars faded and the waking world turned sleepy eyes toward skies of baby blue. WHISKERS (a song in defense of beards)
Went to war without a whisker, SUTTER'S SORROW (from The Great Adventure)“For the love of money…they have…pierced themselves…with many sorrows.” SICK-MAN FREUD (from Not Ashamed) In Interpretation of Dreams (first published in 1900), Sigmund Freud admits that “I was making frequent use of cocaine to reduce some troublesome nasal swelling” while writing. How much did his drug use distort his thinking? E.M. Thornton in The Freudian Fallacy contends that “Freud’s concept of the unconscious must be attributed to his cocaine usage. Death wishes, infantile incestuous desires and perversion are not the pre-occupations of the normal mind.” PRIMAL PURPOSE
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MARK'S BOOKS: Kind Words and Kudos
LONGSHOT
American Library Association award winner
The American Library Association’s Booklist magazine (June 1 and 15, 2000) reviewed Longshot, calling it “an impressive addition to an impressive series of novels [The Cross and the Tomahawk].”
Booklist (October 1, 2000) chose Longshot as one of the Top 10 best Christian fiction books of the year.
Listing Longshot among “the best inspirational or Christian fiction” books of the year 2000, Booklist recommended it to “general readers whose interests are in a well-told story and illuminating characters.”
Doug Hirt, award-winning author in the genre of Western fiction (and author of the acclaimed “Cradleland” series) wrote (in an online chat with other Christian authors), “It is a rare book in which I can lose myself. I recently did so with …Mark Ammerman’s Longshot. Wonderfully tight prose.”
In praise of Longshot, a reader from Raleigh, South Carolina wrote (as an online review at Amazon.com): “Mark Ammerman has captured a slice of time and a fascinating cast of men and women and convincingly and sensitively drawn them on a colorful canvas 300 pages long... This book, and [the others] in the series, are entertaining, enlightening, and educational. Buy ’em and read ’em!”
Mark Noll, nationally respected American historian, author and Francis A. McAnaney Professor of history at Notre Dame University, wrote "I've had time only to dip into the novel, but it certainly does seem to capture the texture of the mid-eighteenth century and the American frontier that was still close to the Eastern seaboard. Depictions of Indians and whites both seem authentic, as well as the interchange about spiritual matters between settlers and native Americans. I commend you for bringing out such a work."
THE RAIN FROM GOD
“…superbly written…”
Library Journal (Sept. 1, 1997) said of The Rain From God: “…deft characterization…” “The portrayal of Native American life is assured and believable, making this…novel a solid glimpse into a rarely portrayed aspect of American history.”
CBA Marketplace (July 1997) said of Rain: “Ammerman blends a writer’s and a historian’s skills to create a lyrical, absorbing account of Christianity’s impact on Narragansett Indians in 1600’s New England. …historical details build the story’s authenticity and add color to an action-packed plot. …superbly written….”
“Ammerman uses language beautifully to create a believable story of long ago,” said the Intelligencer Journal (of Lancaster, PA) in a 1997 review of Rain.
Virtue magazine (July/August 1997) described Rain as “…filled with…insight into the culture of the American Indian and the history of 17th Century New England.” The magazine said that “…any reader interested in this time period…will enjoy this novel.”
The Reverend Roland C. Mars (Narragansett Indian pastor in Rhode Island) wrote, “The Rain From God captured my imagination and held my heart from beginning to end. In my lifetime of reading, only one other book besides the Bible (The Hiding Place by Corrie TenBoom) has kept me so glued to its pages.”
Robert C. Newman of Biblical Theological Seminary reviewed Rain (in the Biblical Booklist, Nov. 1997) and called the novel “a well-researched and gripping story”. He said it was “a very interesting way to get some background of the different worldviews of the two cultures [17th century colonial English and Native American], and the nobility and foibles of each.”
The Braille Institute in California carries The Rain From God in audio form for its members.
Romantic Times magazine (in their Inspirational category, April 2005) reviewed The Rain From God, giving it a “Phenomenal” rating (7 being the highest possible rating, this is a “6”). RT said of Rain: “In an arresting and authentic first-person voice that’s laced with powerful imagery, Ammerman weaves a tale that will echo in readers’ hearts long after the final page is turned. No simplistic conversion tale, this is a gritty and honest novel of depth, understanding and compassion.”
Romantic Times also placed The Rain From God in the running for its annual Reviewer’s Choice Awards (in the Best Inspirational Fiction category). These awards honor the best books of the year.
Over the years, Amazon.com reader’s reviews have also been very good:
• A reader from Hawley, Pennsylvania described The Rain From God as “well-researched and wonderfully written,” and “not only exciting, but intellectually stimulating. A must read for anyone…interested in historical fiction.”
• A reader from Montgomery, Alabama called Rain “a touching story,” and commented that “the author did a wonderful job bringing this period of our country to life.”
• A fan from Crystal River, Florida said that Rain was “extremely educational, exciting and enjoyable…a powerful ministry tool.” He recommended the book to “Christians, historians, or anyone that likes a good adventure…”
• One reader from Wisconsin found Rain “refreshing” in its treatment of early American history, and called the novel “a wonderful book.”
Louise Gouge, awarding-winning author of historical and romantic fiction, also wrote me, saying, “I just finished reading Rain from God and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. Your writing is so rich and intense that every page is an emotional experience. From the very first page, I kept wanting to write down the beautiful, descriptive phrases that specially moved me, but there were far too many. I wept over Katanaquat’s continuing struggle against God and rejoiced when he came to the end of himself. You had me in the palm of your hand.... Blessings to you as you continue your beautiful writing ministry.”
A week or so later, Louise wrote me another very affirming note in which she declared that one short chapter in The Rain From God (the single romantic-oriented chapter in the book) moved her more than any romantic prose she’d ever read, including (she said) her all-time favorite authors (Jane Austen among them).
THE RANSOM
“…poignant…fascinating…compelling…”
“This poignant, thought-provoking sequel to The Rain From God continues the saga of a Narragansett family and explores a little-known inroad of the Gospel on this continent. [Ammerman’s] poetic prose is…always fascinating and deeply moving.” --Romantic Times Bookclub Magazine, May 2005 review of Ransom (in which the book also received a favorable “Compelling” rating.
THE CROSS AND THE TOMAHAWK
THE SERIES as a whole
“Recommended reading”
A review of the entire C&T series in the online Christian History Newsletter (August 8, 2000) says: "...the books are readable and engaging, and they illuminate the past from a different angle than the glaring academic spotlights our eyes have been trained to follow."
Also of The Cross and the Tomahawk series, Agora Christian Bookstore (online) writes, “Carefully researched, these books are written with empathy.”
The Evangelical Church Library Association placed the Cross and the Tomahawk series on their Recommended Core Book List (in the Fiction category), right up there with Daniel Defoe, JRR Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Frank Peretti, Walter Wangerin, and other classic and contemporary best-selling authors. The ECLA’s list is comprised of titles submitted by ECLA members. The ECLA recommends that librarians look for a balance in subject matter representative of the needs of their respective congregations and/or Christian schools. Subject areas in a church library should include but not be limited to Marriage and Family, Counseling, Devotional Literature, Prayer, Theology and Exegesis, Eschatology, and Apologetics—as well as Fiction.
Libraries across America (community public libraries as well as Christian libraries) offer the Cross and the Tomahawk series (or one or more books of the series) on their shelves.
AMERICA,
BUILT ON CHARACTER, FOUNDED ON FAITH
“…history comes alive!”
“I promise that you will be thrilled and informed by this book. [America’s] ‘defining moments’ will fill your reading hours with a new appreciation of our American heritage.” --Dr. D. James Kennedy, senior minister at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church
“America ... is a literary ‘photo album’ full of clearly focused snapshots of definitive turning points in the American journey.” --Dr. Ken Curtis, founder and president of the Christian History Institute
“America ... is wonderful! It makes history come alive! A must for every American interested in learning how God’s hand has shaped our nation.” --Dr. E. Michael Rusten, author of The One Year Book of Christian History, elder at Bethany Baptist church in Minneapolis (John Piper’s church)
“America ... celebrates the role of faith at great moments of discovery and as the bedrock expression of character in times of adversity. Ammerman’s writing is clear and lively…he makes history exciting. Great for homeschoolers.” --John Mort, award-winning author and columnist for the American Library Association’s Booklist
ROGER WILLIAMS
Nearly 40,000 copies sold!
Roger Williams (a biography for young readers) received many positive reviews and is available in libraries across the nation (including in Rhode Island, where Roger is hailed as the founder of that state). This book, though currently out of print (with the rights back in Mark's hands), sold close to 40,000 copies.
GOD’S HEART FOR MINISTERING TO GOD’S PEOPLE
“…a life-giving book…”
An inspirational and equipping manual for pastors and leaders in the church of Jesus Christ
"Phil Hernandez and Mark Ammerman blend their respective gifts as pastor and author to bring to the church a life-giving book which effectively deals with the heart issues of the faithful, God-honoring minister." --Dr. E. Daniel Martin, former Mennonite Bishop and professor of Psychiatry at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
"God's Heart for Ministering to God's People is a refreshing look at authentic Christian leadership and practical ministry to every believer." --Larry Kreider, founder and international director of DOVE Christian Fellowship, Intl.
"Here is a means of life-giving power for those we serve." --Keith Yoder, Executive Director of Teaching The Word Ministries and Chair of the Leadership Council of the Regional Church of Lancaster County
"For those more attuned to first-hand experience than theoretical study, this book is a fit." --E. Michael Rusten, author, elder (at Bethlehem Baptist Church; John Piper’s church) and director of the Bethlehem Institute
"Leadership effectiveness is shaped by attitudes--God's Heart for Ministering to God's People will point you to crucial attitudes of the heart which impact all the daily stuff you do." --Dave Witmer, pastor, church planter and member of the Apostolic Team of the HopeNet Fellowship of Churches
BOOKS FOR SALE: $10.00 each, or 5 for $45.00
THE RAIN FROM GOD
THE RANSOM
LONGSHOT
AMERICA
GOD'S HEART E-mail Mark for details on payment and shipping.
HOME WRITING GRAPHICS/MULTIMEDIA PHOTOGRAPHY ABOUT THE AMMERMANS
To talk to Mark about working with you on a writing project, or editing your manuscript or newsletter, contact him at [email protected]