Markus Hofmann

With me, you read stories exactly like life is: straight to the jaw, no bells and whistles, and brilliant but complicated. I’m from the Ruhrpott – a region where people talk straight and don't make a fuss about things. Exactly this honest, unpolished mentality is rooted deep in my literary DNA.

I deliberately position myself away from soft, cozy fantasy: My worlds move between the dusty, supernatural madness of the Weird West and dark, socially critical dystopias. I am not interested in flawless heroes in the bright sunshine. I look for the moral gray areas where power demands its price, loss leaves deep scars, and life – matching the mood – is usually pretty miserable.

Why do I serve such dark fare, of all things? Because it's my outlet. Writing actively helps me keep my own depression in check. Instead of letting myself be consumed by the darkness, I send my protagonists through hell. We live through the pain together, page by page, and find a way into the light together. That's why my stories are a literary band-aid for all the hard workers out there who just get overwhelmed by daily life from time to time, and for people who know "the black dog" from their own experience – whether actively or passively.

These are books for anyone looking for a story with real, painful depth, but who still appreciate a good laugh. Because without a fine sprinkling of gallows humor, the heaviness would be hard to bear.

Storytelling is in my blood. After various short stories and an audio play, I am now launching my debut novel, Rüdiger. My creative roots lie deep in Pen & Paper role-playing games, particularly shaped by the dark, merciless world of Deadlands. That's where I learned how incredibly powerful atmosphere and moral dilemmas can be when the dice roll and any wrong decision can cost you your head.

So, if you're up for characters who don't always know if they're doing the right thing, but still stumble full speed into the next moral dilemma, you've come to the right place. My worlds are for everyone who loves to root for, suffer with, and occasionally ask themselves: "Why does the author actually do this to his characters?" The answer is simple: Because otherwise, it would be way too easy.