Know the Author: Mark Rivett

Know the Author: Mark Rivett

In Convoy 19, Mark Rivett drops readers into a world where the living dead have overrun the U.S. mainland and survival depends on strategy, grit, and the thin thread of hope carried by those still fighting. From the USS Ronald Reagan, Dr. Henry Damico advises on what remains of the government while his wife, Kelly, struggles on the front lines in a collapsing city. As the convoy system begins to fail, Sergeant First Class Carl Harvey faces impossible odds on a mission into San Diego. In this Q&A, Rivett shares the inspirations behind his apocalyptic vision, the real‑world influences that shaped his characters, and the storytelling techniques that bring tension and realism to his zombie‑infested world.

Interview

ZM:  What first inspired you to write this book (Convoy 19), and what kept you motivated through the process?

MR: I have always been a fan of horror in general and zombies in particular. After writing about a half dozen short stories for different publishers, I decided to try my hand at writing a novel. The motivation was simply the love of horror and zombie fiction.

ZM: Did any real events, people, or places influence the story or research?

MR: A friend of mine is a Marine who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. He gave advice on military behavior, norms, speech, etc. Another friend of mine told me about his "magic bullet". I won't spoil that part of the story for readers, but that is based on real events.

ZM: What originally sparked your interest in writing within the horror or paranormal genre?

MR: I've always loved horror. We all imagine ourselves in situations like this - trying to survive against something horrific - but what really terrifies me is doing everything right, and bad things still happening. My main characters tend to always do the strategically right move, but the horror comes when, in spite of that, plans go sideways.

ZM: Which authors or books have influenced your style the most?

MR: I love George R.R. Martin's muli-perspective/flawed narrator style. That tends to be the way I like to tell a holistic story.

ZM: What advice would you give new writers who want to publish their first or next book?

MR: I use two techniques to write my books. First, I create an outline. That can be very painful for people, but knowing where the story starts and ends is really valuable. I then use what I call "the snowflake technique". I take my couple of sentences in the outline and make them a couple of paragraphs by adding description, action, dialogue, etc. I then take those couple of paragraphs and punch them up into a short-story-like chapter. I then add more and more to the "snowflake" until it branches into a vivid plot point that both advances the story and captures the reader.

-End

Rivett’s thoughtful approach to horror shines through both his novel and his insights. Drawing on military perspectives, real experiences, and a lifelong fascination with the genre, he crafts stories where characters make the right moves yet still face devastating consequences, a hallmark of true, grounded horror. His outlining process and “snowflake technique” reveal a writer dedicated to building layered, character‑driven narratives that escalate naturally into chaos. Convoy 19 embodies that philosophy, delivering a zombie tale rooted in authenticity, strategy, and the terrifying unpredictability of survival. We thank Mark Rivett for sharing his process and perspective, and we look forward to seeing where his storytelling takes readers next.

Convoy 19 is available on Amazon as an eBook, Paperback, and Audiobook

Link - https://amzn.to/4wjw8RE

ZMP

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