Joe McKinney is a seasoned author who has written novels from various genres such as horror, ghost story, virus thriller, science fiction, and crime. He has a diverse professional background, having worked in different roles within the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD). McKinney's experience with SAPD includes working as a sergeant, patrol supervisor, detective in homicide, a specialist in disaster mitigation, and assisting with the running of the 911 Dispatch Center. His work in law enforcement has given him a wealth of knowledge and experience that he draws upon in his writing.
McKinney is a prolific writer, having published numerous books, including the four-part Dead World series, Quarantined, and Dodging Bullets. His short fiction has been collected in The Red Empire and Other Stories and Dating in Dead World and Other Stories. McKinney's work has been recognized in the literary world, earning him two Bram Stoker Awards. His writing covers a wide range of topics, from true crime and police procedure to science fiction, Texas history, and cooking.
In addition to his work as an author, McKinney has a varied work history in both the public and private sectors. He has worked as a patrol officer for SAPD, a DWI Enforcement officer, the director of the City of San Antonio’s 911 Call Center, and a manager of a Barnes & Noble. McKinney is a well-educated individual, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in American History from Trinity University and a Master’s Degree in English Literature from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He is a frequent guest at horror and mystery conventions and maintains an active social media presence, where fans can keep up with his latest releases. McKinney is a family man, residing outside of San Antonio with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys cooking in his free time and is known for making some of the finest chili in Texas.
Dead World Books
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Dead City
2006
2
Apocalypse of the Dead
2010
3
Flesh Eaters
2011
4
Mutated
2012
Dead Lands Books
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
The Plague of the Undead
2014
2
The Dead Won't Die
2015
Standalone Novels
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Quarantined
2009
2
Dodging Bullets
2010
3
The Red Empire
2011
4
Inheritance
2012
5
Crooked House
2013
6
The Savage Dead
2013
7
Lost Girl of the Lake
2013
8
Dog Days
2014
Short Stories/Novellas
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
The Crossing
2011
2
Lost and Found
2014
Non-Fiction Books
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Zombie Writing!
2012
The Retreat Books (with Craig DiLouie, with Stephen Knight)
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Pandemic
2013
2
Slaughterhouse
2014
3
Die Laughing
2015
4
Alamo
2016
5
Crucible
2018
6
The Retreat #6: Forlorn Hope
2022
Best New Zombie Tales Books (with Jonathan Maberry, with Bev Vincent, with David Niall Wilson, with Ray Garton, with Tim Lebbon, with Tim Waggoner, with Steven A. Roman, with Mort Castle, with Harry Shannon, with John Everson, with Nancy Kilpatrick, with Simon Wood, with Kealan Patrick Burke, with Gary McMahon, with Nate Southard, with Jeff Strand, with Cody Goodfellow, with Rio Youers, with James Newman, with Paul Kane, with Nate Kenyon, with Jeremy C. Shipp, with Robert Swartwood, with Kim Paffenroth, with James Roy Daley, with Jessica Brown, with Derek Gunn, with Narrell M. Harris)
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Best New Zombie Tales Vol. 1
2010
2
Best New Zombie Tales Vol. 2
2010
3
Best New Zombie Tales Vol.3
2011
4
Best New Zombie Tales Trilogy
2012
Joe McKinney Anthologies
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
History is Dead
2007
2
Best New Zombie Tales Vol. 1
2010
3
Best New Zombie Tales Vol. 2
2010
4
Best New Zombie Tales Vol.3
2011
5
Undead Tales
2011
6
Help! Wanted: Tales of On-the-Job Terror
2011
7
Before Plan 9: Plans 1-8 From Outer Space
2012
8
Best New Zombie Tales Trilogy
2012
9
Slices of Flesh
2012
10
Horror for Good
2012
11
Read the End First
2012
12
A Feast of Frights from The Horror Zine
2012
13
Welcome To Hell: An Anthology Of Western Weirdness