Novels by Gary Marks
Literary Fiction
The Dance and the Diamond Sky
Genre: Voice-driven literary fiction
Sub-label: Political coming-of-consciousness (1969)
Set in 1969, The Dance and the Diamond Sky is an explosive coming-of-age saga about love, politics, and personal choice. A divided nation forces a close-knit circle of friends to decide what they’re willing to risk—or change within themselves—before history chooses for them.
“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.”
Orbiting Chaos
Genre: Literary fiction
Sub-label: Spiritual romance / metaphysical realism
Orbiting Chaos is a metaphysical romance about two emotionally orphaned lovers whose relationship opens them to a love they believed impossible—while forcing an internal reckoning that could cost them everything.
“Fascinating story and characters with so much heart.”
From the Farthest Places
Genre: Literary fiction
Sub-label: Empty-nest existentialism / gifted child
An empty-nest marriage fractures as Paris, their brilliant, unconventional daughter, charts a life her parents cannot comprehend. As Paris journeys farther into a world of her own, the parents are forced to confront the possibility that their connection to her might be lost forever.
Psychological Comedy
Journey Through the Riotous Dark
Genre: Voice-driven literary fiction
Sub-label: Campus novel / dark comedy / suspense
A rebellious college student falls in love with the campus’s most beautiful comedic outcast—only to uncover a secret that reframes every joke, every lie, and every moment of desire.
Satirical Literary Fiction
WOW
Genre: Spiritual / metaphysical comedy
Two young college students invent a voice meant to wake the world. As their online hoax grows into a global phenomenon, they’re forced to confront the question: when belief changes lives, does it matter whether the messenger was ever real?
Science / Psychological
Metaphysical Science Fiction
(T)here
Genre: Literary speculative fiction
Sub-label: Science / metaphysical inquiry
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….. humans.
Romantic / Humor
Romantic Comedy / Coming of Age
Somewhere Beautiful
Genre: Voice-driven literary fiction
Sub-label: Campus / romantic existentialism
A post-millennial teenager stumbles through the summer before college, until a girl he meets on a family vacation in Paris—and a death-defying event back home—reshape his sense of the world and his place in it.
Romantic Comedy
Rain Dreams
Genre: Voice-driven literary fiction
Sub-label: Comic adventure / existential drift
Two adventurers attempt to escape their small town. Only the rain, the past, and an ex-cop relentlessly tracking them down, can stop them.
Philosophical Romance
Surreal Humor / Romance
Beyond Henry
Genre: Voice-driven literary fiction
Sub-label: Existential romance / metaphysical coda / stunning epilogue
After all the adventures, desires, longing, and life experiences end, who was Henry... and who will he become then?
Experimental Literary Comedy
Surreal Humor
My Name Was Don
Genre: Absurdist literary fiction
Sub-label: Experimental tragicomedy
When Don’s inner and outer realities merge, every plan fails and the stakes keep rising. Only Katie can save him. But Katie… isn’t real.
Romantic / Music Industry
Romantic Drama
Superstar
Genre: Literary fiction
Sub-label: Romance / Music / Fame / Illusion
From roadie to the cover of Rolling Stone, this is the story of Jenna James’s rise to rock icon—told through the eyes of the young musician who writes the only songs she is willing to sing.
Surreal Humor
Shelby's Time
Genre: Voice-Driven Literary Fiction
Sub-Genres:
Absurdist coming-of-age (adult perspective)
Philosophical tragicomedy
Metaphysical realism
A darkly funny, philosophically restless comedy told through a narrator whose unwavering belief that he comes from the future becomes a lens for love, loss, and moral reckoning.
Non-Fiction
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
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.)
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