Wil Mara

Wil Mara is an accomplished American author with over 34 years of experience in writing both fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. He has published more than 80 novels and has over 325 books in print, which have won multiple awards, reached bestseller lists, and received excellent reviews. His books have been translated into more than a dozen languages. In 2005, his novel 'Wave' won the New Jersey Notable Book Award, and in 2012, 'The Gemini Virus' remained on Amazon's list of 'Ten Bestseller Medical Thrillers' for 14 consecutive weeks. His most recent novel, 'Fallout,' was nominated for the Edgar Award for Novel of the Year.

Mara's children's nonfiction publications have won countless awards and terrific reviews in leading trade journals. Much of his work for children has been nonfiction for the school-library market. He also ghostwrote five of the popular 'Boxcar Children' mysteries. In 2019, Rosen Publishing released the first of his new 'Twisted' series, which has been described as "Twilight Zones for kids." The first 'Twisted' book, 'The Videomaniac,' was released on January 1 and sold through its first printing in less than a month. The second, 'House of a Million Rooms,' was released on March 1 and, just a few weeks later, was chosen as a Main Selection Title by the Junior Library Guild.

Mara has worked in the publishing industry for over 20 years, serving as an editor, administrator, and executive for major publishing houses such as Scholastic, McGraw-Hill, Macmillan, and Prentice-Hall. He turned to full-time writing in 2005 and has since become an associate member of the NJASL and an executive member of the Board of Directors for the New Jersey Center for the Book. He is also the vice president of the Literary Alliance of New Jersey, the host of the 'Voice of American Libraries' podcast, and the 2019 recipient of the Literary Lion of New Jersey Award. Mara is an experienced speaker, presenter, and voice artist, having visited more than 300 schools and other institutions. He continues to speak to audiences across the country and do voice work as his writing schedule permits. More information about his work can be found at his website, wilmara.com.