Mark Gilroy

Let’s Smoke A Brisket!

From shopping for the best cut of meat available at your grocery store to slicing and serving it to friends, here are the secrets to smoking a perfect brisket on the Big Green Egg (or whatever smoker you prefer to use). I try to cover all the key elements that are valuable to both beginner and experienced smokers. How do you select the best brisket available where you shop? How much trimming…

It Wasn’t My Fault

(And You Just Might Be Right) We won’t be defined by our setbacks as much as we will for our comebacks.

It wasn’t my fault. There is a broad spectrum of emotional and intellectual responses, often polarized, when hearing that phrase stated by someone who has suffered a setback in life. But taken at face value, it wasn’t my fault, is often correct. You, they nor I did nothing to bring about…

The 12 Rules of Life: An Antidote to Chaos

Make This the Next Book You Read A book that wants the best for you!

Jordan Peterson, a Canadian Psychologist, has become a viral sensation because of his media interviews and YouTube presentations on practical and controversial topics covering personal growth and healthy relationships like child-rearing, marriage, the meaning behind religion, friendship, personal responsibility,…

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland

A Book Review

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, begins with two detectives from Northern Ireland descending into high security vaults of a special collection at the Boston College library.

Next and interspersed over the course of the book is the 1974 abduction and murder of Jean McConville, an impoverished single mother of ten children, who was the widow of…

I’m Positive! My Covid-19 Story

I just got news that I’m positive! I have the antibodies that fight Covid-19 coursing through my bloodstream. Despite having had next to no symptoms and having tested negative for the actual virus seven weeks ago, it was good to get confirmation. I knew I had had it.

Here’s a quick rundown of my story with a note of encouragement at the end.

Eight weeks ago we were blessed to have…

Writing: You Gotta Love It; You Gotta Hate It

Writing is a love-hate relationship.

Writing: you gotta love it and you gotta hate it!

I love churning out 5,000 words in a day. But I hate deleting 5,000 words from a section that just wasn’t working. (Some things you’ve added to your story just don’t fit and can’t be saved.)

I love coming up with a surprise ending. But I hate having to wade through 400 pages to fix spoilers and drop in…

The Prayer of Saint Patrick

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than to savor the wisdom and worship of the Prayer of Saint Patrick.

The Prayer of Saint Patrick

I arise today Through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of the wind, Depth of the sea, Stability of the earth, Firmness of the rock.

I arise today Through God’s strength to pilot me; God’s might to…

In Praise of Procrastination

Is your procrastination trying to tell you something?

In praise of procrastination? Really?

Mark, when was the last time someone told you “nicely done” after you procrastinated?

Good question. I can’t remember. Like you, the predominant message I’ve heard my entire life is “get it done now.” Authors, speakers, preachers, parents, teachers, bosses, clients, great quotations, and trusted advisors,…

Seahawks to Protest the National Anthem?

Will the Seahawks protest the National Anthem on Sunday?

Will the Seattle Seahawks protest the National Anthem? The Huffington Post reports that in a not-very-carefully-guarded secret that, indeed, this Sunday, September 11, 2016, (which just so happens to be the 15th Anniversary of 9/11).

As is the case with Colin Kaepernick’s sit-down turned kneel-down protest of the anthem, members of the…

Midwest Review of Books: Rise of the Beast

Rise of the Beast The Patmos Conspiracy Book 1

Midwest Review of Books just posted a new review of Rise of the Beast.

M.K. Gilroy, publishing veteran, author, consultant and blogger, opens “The Patmos Conspiracy,” his exciting new five-book series, with Rise of the Beast that released in April. “Voice of Danger,” book two, is scheduled for release in the fall.

“Rise of the Beast” is a…

Rise of the Beast – FREE Sample Chapters

About Rise of the Beast

One man has a chilling vision of how to save the world as we know it.

“The barbarians have breached the gates and the world burns before our eyes. The ones who can do something to save humanity refuse to act. On the Island of Patmos, the place of my father’s birth, St. John the Apostle had a vision of a Beast rising from the sea. So I…

Goodreads Giveaway – Rise of the Beast

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Rise of the Beast by M.K. Gilroy

Giveaway ends May 23, 2016.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/185940

10 Huuuuuge Mistakes to Avoid This Presidential Election

Uncle Sams wants you to avoid 10 huuuuuge mistakes this presidential election.

The Boy Scout motto dates back to 1916 but the words are just as relevant and wise today: always be prepared. Consider the warnings below to be your emotional preparation for surviving another election year in America, which commenced about six months too early for my liking.

We should know better, but every four years…

Cold As Ice Library Edition – Coming Soon

My (great!) nieces, Eden and Meadow, are excited about the Cold As Ice library edition!

The Cold As Ice library – hardcover – large print edition is available on January 28, 2016 from Center Point Press.

You can order on Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and other fine online retailing sites.

It will be available for loan from hundreds of libraries. If it isn’t available at yours, be sure to request it.…