Stephen Mertz

Stephen Mertz is a bestselling American fiction author, who has made a name for himself writing mainstream suspense and thriller novels. His work covers a wide variety of styles, from hardboiled noir to historical speculative thrillers and paranormal dark suspense novels. Mertz is known for his ability to write in different styles, which has helped him to reach a wide audience and gain a reputation as a versatile author.

Under various pen names, including Stephen Brett, Don Pendleton, Jack Buchanan, Jim Case, and Cliff Banks, Mertz has written a wide range of novels and short stories. His first national sale was to a mystery magazine, and his first novel, a detective thriller entitled Some Die Hard, was published under the pseudonym of Stephen Brett. He has also written for popular series, such as Don Pendleton’s Mack Bolan, where his work is regarded by fans as some of the best in the series. Additionally, he created the Mark Stone: MIA Hunter and Cody’s Army series, written under the pseudonyms Jack Buchanan and Jim Case respectively.

Mertz is also a popular lecturer on the craft of writing and has appeared as a guest speaker before writer’s groups and at universities. Throughout his career, he has consistently worked to improve his craft and share his knowledge with others. Despite facing criticism from “literary, well-intentioned” creative writing teachers in high school and college, Mertz remained dedicated to his goal of becoming a publishing, full-time freelance professional. His determination paid off, as he eventually became a successful and prolific author, averaging four books per year for ten years. Mertz is a U.S. Army veteran and has traveled widely. He presently lives in the American Southwest, where he continues to work on new books.