Joe McKinney

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
1 Dead City 2006
2 Apocalypse of the Dead 2010
3 Flesh Eaters 2011
4 Mutated 2012
Dead Lands Books
# Title Year
1 The Plague of the Undead 2014
2 The Dead Won't Die 2015
Standalone Novels
# Title Year
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
1 The Crossing 2011
2 Lost and Found 2014
Non-Fiction Books
# Title Year
1 Zombie Writing! 2012
The Retreat Books (with Craig DiLouie, with Stephen Knight)
# Title Year
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
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
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 2012
14 Dark Light 2012
15 Alt-Zombie 2012
16 Blood Rites: An Invitation to Horror 2013
17 High Stakes: A Vampire Anthology 2013
18 Zombies: Shambling Through the Ages 2013
19 Best Tales of the Apocalypse 2013
20 Zombies: More Recent Dead 2014
21 Limbus, Inc. - Book II 2014
22 Middletown Apocalypse 2015
23 Seize the Night 2015
24 V-Wars: Night Terrors 2015