,
Mark A. Rayner

more photos (2)

Mark A. Rayner’s Followers (168)

member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
~Sara~
4,671 books | 173 friends

Lori
3,822 books | 871 friends

Hesham ...
66 books | 2,090 friends

Allison
4,665 books | 1,340 friends

Lyndon
2,136 books | 626 friends

Michael
769 books | 206 friends

Joe Mah...
392 books | 299 friends

Jennife...
6,399 books | 1,258 friends

More friends…

Mark A. Rayner

Goodreads Author


Born
in Toronto, Canada
Website

Twitter

Genre

Influences
Kurt Vonnegut, Philip K. Dick, Tom Robbins, Tom Stoppard, Douglas Adam ...more

Member Since
August 2007

URL


Don’t panic, it’s only Mark A. Rayner, award-winning author of satirical books, absurd fiction and the occasional screed on the problems with time travel novels. When he’s not writing about the infinite universe theory and manic pixie aliens, Mark teaches at Western University in Canada, which definitely doesn’t have a beaver problem.

Connect with him on Mastodon at @markarayner@mas.to.

Even better, if you want early reads, beta reads and other goodies, then slip into the Raynerverse by subscribing to his newsletter. You can get a free book if you do!
...more

To ask Mark A. Rayner questions, please sign up.

Popular Answered Questions

Mark A. Rayner Like many of my framing ideas for a book, the idea for The Fatness came to me in a dream, fully formed.

I should call it a nightmare, as it was terrify…more
Like many of my framing ideas for a book, the idea for The Fatness came to me in a dream, fully formed.

I should call it a nightmare, as it was terrifying. I started writing this book as a way to exorcise it from my mind. It’s probably no coincidence I had the
dream while I was in the midst of reading The Obesity Myth. It was a challenge to write.

As I mention in the afterword, I’ve struggled with weight issues most of my life, so I found it quite difficult to write a humorous account of what it would be like to be imprisoned for your weight. In truth, I had to stop writing it for a while. I probably started and stopped this project more than any other piece of writing I’ve ever tackled. The first idea went down on paper in 2004, and I didn’t actually have a working draft until 2013. The title, however, was there from the beginning.

When I had that first draft, I did question it. Should I open up this idea? Will some people think it’s actually a good idea? Despite my worries, I kept writing. In the end I figured I could trust my readers to see it was satire.(less)
Average rating: 3.75 · 552 ratings · 193 reviews · 13 distinct worksSimilar authors
The Fridgularity

3.55 avg rating — 184 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
Marvellous Hairy

3.76 avg rating — 83 ratings — published 2009 — 6 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
Alpha Max: An Existential R...

by
4.17 avg rating — 71 ratings3 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
Pirate Therapy and Other Cures

3.18 avg rating — 90 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
The Fatness

4.07 avg rating — 67 ratings — published 2017 — 2 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
The Amadeus Net

4.31 avg rating — 35 ratings — published 2005 — 3 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
The Gates of Polished Horn:...

4.64 avg rating — 11 ratings3 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
The Meanderings of the Emil...

4.40 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 2003
Rate this book
Clear rating
A Milkshake Apocalypse

it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
Close to the Wind

3.50 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2008
Rate this book
Clear rating
More books by Mark A. Rayner…

How Acting Class Made Me a Better Writer

Let’s start by admitting I was never really any good in my acting class. At university I took an arts degree with a heavy dose…

The post How Acting Class Made Me a Better Writer appeared first on mark a. rayner.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 08, 2025 10:15
The Practice Effect
Mark Rayner is currently reading
by David Brin (Goodreads Author)
bookshelves: currently-reading
Rate this book
Clear rating

 
The Image: A Guid...
Rate this book
Clear rating

 
The Origins of To...
Rate this book
Clear rating

 

Mark’s Recent Updates

Mark Rayner rated a book it was amazing
A Milkshake Apocalypse by Mark A. Rayner
A Milkshake Apocalypse
by Mark A. Rayner (Goodreads Author)
Rate this book
Clear rating
Mark Rayner rated a book it was amazing
The Gates of Polished Horn by Mark A. Rayner
Rate this book
Clear rating
Mark Rayner finished reading
The Gates of Polished Horn by Mark A. Rayner
Rate this book
Clear rating
Mark Rayner is now following
15671492
Mark Rayner is now following
5821157
The Gates of Polished Horn by Mark A. Rayner
"My favourite genre to read is imagined views of our near future, so many of the stories in this speculative/science fiction collection hit the spot for me. As with all collections of its type, some I loved, some I liked and some I felt needed a bit m" Read more of this review »
Mark Rayner is now following Lisa Brandt and Grady
1362506
The Gates of Polished Horn by Mark A. Rayner
"Being accustomed to Mr. Rayner's flash fiction, which has helped grow his legend as a master of humor, absurdity, and satire, this short story collection was a wonderful surprise. Those traits are still found peppered throughout these stories, but th" Read more of this review »
The Gates of Polished Horn by Mark A. Rayner
"I write this review as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team (author, check here if you are interested in getting your book reviewed) and thank her and the author for this opportunity.
For those in a hurry, let me summarise my opinion and tell you that" Read more of this review »
More of Mark's books…
Quotes by Mark A. Rayner  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“People who have so much of their personality invested in the Internet can’t really survive as whole individuals without it.”
Mark A. Rayner, The Fridgularity

“That’s the thing about the collapse of civilization, Blake. It never happens according to plan – there’s no slavering horde of zombies. No actinic flash of thermonuclear war. No Earth-shuddering asteroid. The end comes in unforeseen ways; the stock market collapses, and then the banks, and then there is no food in the supermarkets, or the communications system goes down completely and inevitably, and previously amiable co-workers find themselves wrestling over the last remaining cookie that someone brought in before all the madness began.”
Mark A. Rayner, The Fridgularity

“It was a brave old world.”
Mark A. Rayner, The Fridgularity

Topics Mentioning This Author

“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.”
Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt: Hitchhiking the Galaxy One Last Time

“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
George Orwell, Animal Farm

“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever.”
George Orwell, 1984

“Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout with some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.”
George Orwell, Why I Write

“A scrupulous writer, in every sentence that he writes, will ask himself at least four questions, thus: 1. What am I trying to say? 2. What words will express it? 3. What image or idiom will make it clearer? 4. Is this image fresh enough to have an effect?”
George Orwell, Politics and the English Language

1218 The Next Best Book Club — 25706 members — last activity 4 hours, 19 min ago
Are you searching for the NEXT best book? Are you willing to kiss all your spare cash goodbye? Are you easily distracted by independent bookshops, bi ...more
967 Apocalypse Whenever — 13737 members — last activity 3 hours, 39 min ago
The most active group for apocalyptic and dystopian stories! Join a monthly book discussion, get recommendations, or just tell us if you like canned p ...more
1449 Quirky humour — 415 members — last activity Dec 17, 2019 02:25AM
A group dedicated to Quirky Humour. Talk about wry, witty, quirky books. Or basically, books with an unusual or unconventional sense of humour. Don´t ...more
21207 Book lovers — 457 members — last activity Mar 11, 2020 11:06PM
A group for people to discuss great books and other random topics
527 Building a SciFi/Fantasy Library — 3661 members — last activity Jul 05, 2025 08:19AM
Add your science-fiction or fantasy books to the list, but make sure it's not already there. . .no need for duplicate entries. ...more
26989 Goodreads Authors/Readers — 54781 members — last activity 6 hours, 2 min ago
This group is dedicated to connecting readers with Goodreads authors. It is divided by genres, and includes folders for writing resources, book websit ...more
25350 THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB — 6693 members — last activity 20 hours, 14 min ago
ALL GENRE COMMUNITY OF BOOK LOVERS-Perfect for those interested in good books of any genre, film and lively discussion!- from current fiction, thrille ...more
69520 Chaos Reading — 2774 members — last activity Sep 04, 2025 09:01AM
For people who read an eclectic mix of books. We like variety, new experiences and intelligent, thoughtful, funny conversation. We like our shelves bu ...more
1865 SciFi and Fantasy Book Club — 40964 members — last activity 3 hours, 33 min ago
Hi there! SFFBC is a welcoming place for readers to share their love of speculative fiction through group reads, buddy reads, challenges, ...more
36506 Indie Book Collective — 2957 members — last activity Aug 06, 2025 10:47PM
A group of indie authors, helping each other out and bringing new books to the world
More of Mark’s groups…



Comments (showing 1-13)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

message 13: by Dale

Dale Thele Mark, thanx for accepting my friend request :)


message 12: by Mark

Mark Rayner Katy wrote: "Thanks for the recommend of Children of the Dust. It was published too recently to be the one I was looking for, which I read in 1982, I believe. This one was first published in 1985, so ... But ..."

Yeah, I thought it might be too recent, but you look pretty young in your picture, so I thought I'd suggest it anyway :)


message 11: by Katy

Katy Thanks for the recommend of Children of the Dust. It was published too recently to be the one I was looking for, which I read in 1982, I believe. This one was first published in 1985, so ... But I appreciate the thought!


Savannah Mark, thank you for the friendship.


message 9: by Mark

Mark Rayner Rasmenia wrote: "Hi Mark!

Thanks for adding me!

Yes, I adore Vonnegut. Favorite? I'm not sure I'm able to come up with an answer for that, though. ;)

I dig the bio - made me laugh. Even thought I shouldn't. I kn..."


It was an unfair question. And thanks right back at you!


Rasmenia Massoud Hi Mark!

Thanks for adding me!

Yes, I adore Vonnegut. Favorite? I'm not sure I'm able to come up with an answer for that, though. ;)

I dig the bio - made me laugh. Even thought I shouldn't. I know that radioactive baboons are a serious matter... especially when they get all feisty & bitey.

Cheers!
Ras


message 7: by Mark

Mark Rayner Leila wrote: "Hello Mark!
Thank you for adding me :) I'm glad you enjoyed the Slaughterhouse-Five entry, even though it mostly consisted of quotes. It's a great book with so many re-citable parts. I haven't read..."


I wouldn't do that -- it's perfect. You've probably already read it, but Cat's Cradle has lots of quotable bits too!


message 6: by Leila

Leila Hello Mark!
Thank you for adding me :) I'm glad you enjoyed the Slaughterhouse-Five entry, even though it mostly consisted of quotes. It's a great book with so many re-citable parts. I haven't read anything else by Vonnegut but I am definitely planning to (as soon as I've finished my reading challenge). As for the picture, it's not really though you're not the first one to comment on it :| The photo is actually from Pride and Prejudice (with Keira Knightley). I love the actress and the book and film so I wanted to use the picture. I guess maybe I should change it to another one just to avoid confusion :( Oh well.

Take care :)


maricar hi Mark! thanks for the friend invitation and the comment about the review:)

I hope to read more Vonnegut, too...but am a bit swamped these days hehe.

have a good day, happy reading and good luck with the writing ^_^


message 4: by Tara

Tara Thanks for the friendship Mark!


Roxanne Thanks for being a friend.


message 2: by Mark

Mark Rayner Ah, caught me!


Hertzan Chimera hi Mark,

good book synergy

:)


back to top