Mark W. Worthen (1962-2011)

Writer and editor Mark. W. Worthen, 49, died unexpectedly on September 19, 2011 in Columbia MO. Worthen was a horror writer, with short fiction appearing in various magazines and anthologies starting in 1993, including Stoker Award nominee “Final Draft” (2010). He was active in the Horror Writers Association for many years, serving as webmaster and Stoker Awards committee co-chair until his death.  He received the Richard Laymon President’s Award for Service in 2007.

Worthen edited online horror magazine Blood Rose from 1998 to 2005, and also edited anthologies, including Desolate Souls, the World Horror Convention souvenir anthology (2008), co-edited with his second wife J.P. Edwards, who survives him.

Worthen was born February 10, 1962 in West Covina CA, just outside Los Angeles. He attended Brigham Young University, and taught English as a Second Language in Utah and overseas before settling in Columbia MO, where he worked at Lincoln University. He is also survived by four children from his first marriage.