Mark Rickerby on Strikingly

Owner of Temple Gate Films, Producer, Screenwriter, Script Consultant, Copy Editor and Author with dozens of stories in print, including 26 Chicken Soup for the Soul stories.

AUTHOR
Traditionally published in dozens of books and magazines.
SCREENWRITER
Numerous screenplays and a western TV series.
COPY EDITOR
Copy editor and ghost writer of hundreds of written works.
OWNER / PRODUCER - TEMPLE GATE FILMS
Numerous productions in development.
Social Feed
Check out my latest updates!
Mark Rickerby

Mark's social media -

Facebook author page -
https://www.facebook.com/markrickerbyauthor/

YouTube (Mark Rickerby's Tales of Mystery and Adventure) -
https://www.youtube.com/@markrickerbyadventurestories

(Mark narrates his 30+ stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul books here, as well as other writings, published and unpublished, accompanied by soul-stirring graphics and music.)

Instagram -
https://www.instagram.com/rickerby.mark/?hl=en

About Mark:

Co-owner and head screenwriter at Temple Gate Films, LLC, copy editor, songwriter, singer, and voice actor.

Contributed 30 stories to Chicken Soup for the Soul books (see list and ordering info below) and fiction stories to magazines such as Black Belt, Inside Kung Fu, Nostalgia, Dirt Rag and Whole Life Times.

Black Belt magazine ended a 20+ year ban on fiction to print his story, The Master's Short-Lived MMA Career, which one reviewer later called "a masterpiece."

Co-authored The Other Belfast, his father's memoir about growing up in Belfast, Northern Ireland between 1935 and 1957 before that town became known for all the wrong reasons. It is the story of a child's struggle to bond with a distant father, to survive the schoolyards and streets where boys emulated "hard men" role models, to understand the divisions between the Irish people, and to simply be a child in a rough and tumble world. From the sublime joys of love and friendship, to the terror of nighttime bombing raids by the German Luftwaffe during World War II, The Other Belfast is a journey of the spirit into a long-forgotten world as seen through the eyes of an adventurous and irrepressibly joyful child.

Recently completed a part memoir, part instructional, part self-help book titled Bullied - The Education of a Martial Artist about going from a bullied kid to a troubled teenager to a happy adult, told through the prism of martial arts training and philosophy (from both a Kung Fu and Krav Maga perspective.) But it's not only about self-defense and will not bore you with sequence shots about how to disassemble someone - it's about seeking harmony in an often disharmonious world, Mark's love letter to humanity, and an attempt to leave this world more peaceful than it was when he arrived. The first person who read it said, "It changed my life."

Wrote the lyrics and melodies (and sang) 15 original songs for children and parents for my CD, Great Big World, recorded at Score LA Recording Studio with Grammy-nominated composer Rick Balentine. The CD was later signed to a record label. It can be purchased online or a signed copy directly from Mark.

His song Would I Have Done It? was recorded by singer Bob Rawleigh.

A short film called Goal! based on one of Mark's short stories won first prize and $20,000.00 in Bravo's annual short film script contest.

Mark did some animation voices and audio dialogue replacement for the docudrama God the Father. A California boy pulling off multiple mafioso's was no small feat!

Voice and on-screen acting for a feature film called Around the Bed by Addye Veryl Productions and Mandela Affected.

Performed lead vocals for the Patriot Guard theme song, When Johnny Comes Flying Home, written by Patriot Guard Leader Chuck Johnson, and composed by Rick Balentine of Score LA Studio. he also wrote a song titled I'm a Soldier he hopes will help soldiers suffering with PTSD. Both songs can be heard at www.socalveteran.com/i-m-a-soldier

Working on a series of children's books, coming to a bookstore near you soon!

Look for a book titled "Four Green Fields - Wild Irish Banter and Stories, Shenanigans and Poetry: Welcome Home to the Emerald Isle!" that Mark wrote with fellow authors Greg McVicker and John (J.P.) Sexton.
Purchase a hard copy or ebook here - https://www.amazon.com/Four-Green-Fields-Stories-Shenanigans/dp/1989053068

ORDERING INFORMATION

You can purchase a signed copy of The Other Belfast by sending $19.95 (within the U.S.) to Paypal address markrickerby@yahoo.com. Outside the U.S., please include $15.00 for shipping. (Shipping to other countries is expensive.).

Chicken Soup for the Soul titles and story titles/descriptions. All titles are available online, or get a signed copy from Mark for $20 (S&H included within the United States. Add $20 for overseas shipping.)

Chicken Soup to Inspire the Body and Soul
Poem title - Gratitude. Stuff to celebrate about life.

Older and Wiser (the top 101 stories from CS4TS's first 15 years.)
Poem title - Gratitude (Same as above.)

A Book of Miracles
Story title - Miracle in the Highlands.
Mark gets lost in a storm in the highlands of Scotland, prays for something to help him find his way home, and gets it!

The Power of Forgiveness
Story title - Heavenly Forgiveness.
Mark's late brother comes to him in a dream and forgives him for the tough love he tried to show him before his death.

The Dating Game
Story title - A Toe-tal Disaster.
Mark goes on a date with a woman with a sore toe and she injures it repeatedly in a variety of ways. Funny now, not so funny then!

The Power of Positive
Story title - What is the Higher Response?
Mark tries patience and acceptance with a drunken bully on a pier in Switzerland and finds out the reason behind his behavior.

Touched by an Angel
Story title - The Flickering Headlight.
In the hills of a Greek island, the "broken" headlight on Mark's rented motorcycle flickers on for a few seconds, just long enough for him to see a cliff he was about to drive off.

The Joy of Less
Story title - Slight Bent Flugelhorn - Best Offer.
A humorous poem about all the junk Mark has collected at garage sales.

Angels and Miracles
Story title - Touring Paris with Jim Morrison.
Mark visits Jim Morrison's (of The Doors) grave in the morning. Later the same night, he accidentally and mysteriously ends up across the street from the building where he died.

My Very Good, Very Bad Dog
Story title - The Rainbow Bridge.
Mark's father passed away and his perfectly healthy dog died suddenly a few days later, as if wanting to be reunited with his master and best friend.

Dreams and Premonitions
Story title - The Warning.
Mark's deceased brother again comes to him in a dream, this time to warn Mark off a destructive path he was on because of his grief.

The Spirit of America
Story title - The Sixty-Year Old Little Girl.
An imperious English woman very critical of America's mistakes over the past fifty years confesses her secret love for America and recalls a World War II soldier who gave her candy during a victory parade through the streets of London.

Random Acts of Kindness
Story titles - 1) Flower Children, 2) Put-Pockets.
As a child, flower children accept Mark and build not only his confidence but also his faith in adults. In Put-Pockets, he makes two Israeli friends while traveling in Belgium whose hobby is to put money into the pockets of random passersby. Mark tries it and, of course, gets caught.

My Kind of America
Story title - The American Team.
A P.E. coach uses the Olympic Games to teach Mark and his 7th grade class why America is so special.

The Dog Really Did That?
Story title - He Wouldn't Hurt a Fly.
Mark's dog Charlie is so gentle, he catches flies and plays with them, thus the title.

My Amazing Mom
Poem title - Thank You, Mom.
Mark shows some gratitude to the woman who brought him into the world.

Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
Story title - More Kindness Than Danger
This story is about how we’re all just a little poisoned by entertainment, which is necessarily rife with conflict between people, and how that skewed reality can make us nervous about venturing out into the world. (Mark watched Midnight Express way too many times.) But once we get out there, even on the extremities, we find mostly what we have inside and what we give to others. Except for rare and extreme circumstances, the world is as open and loving as we allow ourselves to be.

Miracles and More
Story title - Pennies from Heaven.
While painting the interior of his house one night, flipping through a high school yearbook from 1935 he bought that morning at a garage sale, and listening to music from that year, Mark gets a visit from the original owner of the yearbook, thanking him for playing his songs and letting him see the faces of his old friends again.

My Crazy Family
Story title - The Lost Key.
Mark searches for a lost car key in the Grand Canyon.

Believe in Miracles
Story title - A Tooth for a Tooth
A new twist on the old expression that is both peaceful (nobody loses any teeth) and mysterious.

Messages from Heaven and Other Miracles
Story titles - The Radio That Couldn't Be Stolen / A Word Whispered to a Toddler
Mark and a friend recover a stolen radio twice in the same day, defying all odds. Mark receives a message from his late father through his toddler!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!
Story title - Christmas in Istanbul
Mark and a group of international travelers get stranded in an epic storm on Christmas Eve in Istanbul's int'l airport, and create a makeshift Christmas that unexpectedly goes from silly to sacred. (NOTE: This title is not available from me until late January, 2020, but will be available in stores in early December.)

Listen to Your Dreams
Story title - The Cave
They say if you die in a dream, you'll die in real life. Not true. Mark is still here! But man, what a dream. It scared him good, but also did him good.

Miracles and Divine Intervention
Story title - Command Performance
In a ghost town in the California desert, while grieving the loss of his brother, Mark prays for a sign that he's happy in heaven, and receives one in the form of a crazy peacock leading him to the town's only stage and giving him a centerstage performance.

Believe in Angels
Story title - Silver Strings
We are forever connected to our loved ones, in life and death.

Well, That Was Funny!
Story title - The Night I Went a Little Too Far
Mark pranks his wife and it backfires hilariously.

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Story title – Fear is the Doorway
Embracing fear as a crucial element of success.

You may have found this page because of his poem about grieving, How We Survive. He receives hundreds of touching emails from people all over the world telling him this poem helped them grieve lost loved ones in a healthy way. If you would like to print, recite or otherwise use How We Survive, you hereby have his permission. Please don't forget to credit him as the author, and use the contact section of this website to let him know where and how it was used.

For more of Mark's writings, check out his blog at https://markrickerby.wordpress.com
Shop Now
Check out our products.
Great Big World - 15 Original Songs for Children (and Parents!)
$25.00
Alternately heart-warming and hilarious, covering multiple genres - country, blues, surf, jazz, funk, Christian, lounge, and even an Irish ballad or two, Great Big World, is bursting with all the "stuff of life" and will strengthen the bonds between you and your children, between you and your spouse, and between you and your own childhood. They will make your children laugh, stop them from crying, and express your overwhelming love for them. That was Mark's goals with his own children when he wrote them, and the fun and love that went into them is evident in every note. Here are some reviews -

"Just amazing. One heck of an accomplishment. Your voice is perhaps the biggest surprise to me. Your writing has never been a shock, but your voice has been worked and honed and (it feels like) taken some exceptionally good lessons. The vehicle supports the message superbly." - Colin Cunningham (Actor, Falling Skies)

"The venue and originality of this CD and music is as unique to the audience as I've ever seen. Very well done and creates a wholesome environment for the whole family to listen to. Congrats on a great CD!" - Chuck Johnson (Vietnam veteran, S.E.R.E. trainer)
View more details...
Quantity
Coming soon
The Other Belfast - An Irish Youth
$25.00
The Other Belfast is the story of a boys life between 1933 and 1953 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, before the troubles officially began and Belfast became known internationally as a terrorism hot spot. It is the story of a childs struggle to bond with a distant father, to survive the schoolyards and streets where boys emulated hard men role models, to understand the divisions between the Irish people, and to simply be a child in a rough and tumble world. From the sublime joys of love and friendship to the terror of nighttime bombing raids by the German Luftwaffe during World War II, The Other Belfast is a journey of the spirit into a long-forgotten world as seen through the eyes of an adventurous and irrepressibly joyful child.
Quantity
Coming soon
Sign up for Mark's newsletter!
If you'd like to receive updates on Mark's publishings and Temple Gate Films productions, please leave your first name and email address below. Your information will never be shared with any third party.
Name

Email

Comment
BOOKS & MAGAZINES
A few of the publications Mark has written or contributed to.
REVIEWS

THE OTHER BELFAST

"I find it almost impossible to praise The Other Belfast highly enough. On almost every level, I honestly don't have the vocabulary for it. Your writing is superb. Absolutely superb. The stories, engaging and profound enough on their own levels. The research. The layout. The virtual framing of the whole piece. The choice of style, prose and temperament of the entire thing works on so many levels. The monumental effort has produced a monumental piece of work. Not once did I falter, pause or have to push myself through a slower or less engaging chapter. The changing formats keep the eyes and subconscious from lapsing into the familiar, and it works on you subconsciously, the formats embellishing and adding variation to a life just as colorful. It is a wicked piece of work. Seriously, you have arrived at a level of mastery, and it's writing of the highest possible caliber. You've truly become a writer that transcends an already formidable toolbox. There are few writers out there that can do it. Instead of thinking of poetic modifiers to color or describe a world, the world you both have created literally redefines the adjective. No small trick. No trick at all. I can't even begin to fathom how many times you've combed through this thing, tweaked and re-tweaked, cut and recut, decided to edit then realize you were right in the first place. The amount of time it took for the book to breathe and find it's own voice; one that was neither yours or your father's; one independent of the hammers and nails that went into its construction. I cannot possibly give you any higher praise, or your father. It's one hell of a kilroy, mate. Humbled."
- Colin Cunningham, actor

"Reading "The Other Belfast" is a lot like having a distant relative or an older neighbor come over for coffee and a chat. This is a slice of life sort of book that I savored. Instead of picking this book up and plunging straight on to the end, I found myself wanting to sample it, bit by bit. Rickerby's tales remind me of listening to my uncles chatting with my parents over card games and cocktails in our backyard. Sleeping in a bunk bed, I would crack open the bedroom window and fall asleep listening to their tales - some were rather 'tall', others were brutish, while the most interesting of all were about long ago romances. Rickerby's stories are much the same, recounting a lifetime of experiences and adventures and characters in a way that made me want to lean in to hear more. I was particularly interested because my mother's family is from Ireland, but unlike my father's Italian relatives, I know next to nothing about the Irish side. For me, this was a vicarious romp through an Irish family's life - warts and all, and it could well have been much like my own. Pick this book up and give it a read, I think you will be pleased. What is better, after all, than a warm cuppa and a listen to good tale on a chilly night?"
- Bernice Foster

"A great read for anyone with a link to Belfast. This is the side of Belfast we rarely hear about; the friendly people, the laconic sense of humour and the great craic. An easy read and very enjoyable."
- Alison Aldersea

GREAT BIG WORLD (CD)

"Just amazing. One heck of an accomplishment. Your voice is perhaps the biggest surprise to me. Your writing has never been a shock, but your voice has been worked and honed and (it feels like) taken some exceptionally good lessons. The vehicle supports the message superbly."
- Colin Cunningham, Actor

"The venue and originality of this CD and music is as unique to the audience as I've ever seen. Very well done and creates a wholesome environment for the whole family to listen to. Congrats on a great CD!"
- Chuck Johnson, Vietnam veteran, S.E.R.E. trainer, Patriot Guard Leader

"Heart-warming and fun! This is a wonderful first album. It's a creative mix of musical styles with lyrics that are thought-provoking and inspire a range of emotions. You will laugh, smile and tear up. The album lends itself to both adults and kids. Love it!!"
- Susan Lummis, singer

POETRY

"I come to Mark Rickerby's writings periodically, and each time I come away feeling a gamut of emotions, but the main one is warmth that stems from his love of humanity and verve for life. Mark always sees more than what appears on the surface, and he makes a point of revealing what he finds hidden and hypocritical. He examines with intelligence the human circumstance, his travels (both physical and mental), and shares his own experiences with insight, humor, the courage of his convictions, and wisdom. I leave his work always thinking . . . wanting to make a difference in life, and always with a smile, or a tear, expanding my own sense of heart. My words probably don't do justice in expressing my admiration for one of the most emotive, provocative, and profound writers I've ever encountered. His writings will encourage you to step outside yourself, to love and explore life passionately, compassionately, and more fully."
- Karen Harris

"You write with such clarity and feeling, you can make the readers remember THEIR feelings down to the smallest details. That is the mark of a true writer. I think the greatest compliment I ever received was by a fellow who said "You got a knapsack full of living, boy." I pass that on to you. You have that same knapsack, and the way you can reach into it and pull out the memories is worthy of applause. You certainly have mine."
- Michael Mack

"Holy God. This is one of the most powerful poems I have ever read. You have captured faith, doubt, strength and weakness so deftly that I was swept into the POV. Amazing work. If I ever write something half that good, I'll be a happy man."
- M. Talesian

"Thanks for sharing a wisdom that often takes a lifetime to learn."
- Naena R.

"I find you to be a thoughtful man who questions, looks to the right sources for answers, and shares the world through his eyes and pen in a wonderful balance of rhyme and storytelling. Your works are a peaceful rest upon which to reflect."
- Jane W.

"This was very, very thought-provoking and opens up a whole new line of thinking for me."
- Kerry C.

"I am so impressed. I always recognize a truly great piece of poetry because I am left thinking, "Damn, I wish I'd said that!" You did it to me again. Thanks so much for sharing this profound and compelling poem."
- Debbie M.

"I believe you are one of the very best narrative poets on this site."
- D.P. Robertson

"You have an incredible ability to stir emotions with your words. You have made me laugh, made me look inside myself and think, you have made me sad, made me happy . . . and now you have made me cry. I love your writings so much. They are all so personal to me in some way and there is always something or many things within your words that I relate to. I am so glad that you came here. You are a joy to know and a wonder to behold."
- Janet S.

"You simply amaze me time and time again. This poem touches on so many subjects but still stays true to its intent. I love it! Every time I read your work, I am inspired to stick with it and continue writing and aspiring to be that much better."
- Adam Marshalll

"You write with such talented ease, I just find myself shaking my head in awe when I finish reading a piece of yours. The rhymes seem to come to you right out of nowhere. You're a poet that never seems to run out of inspiration . . . inspiring others as you go along. Thanks for expressing what I could not."
- Cheryl P.

"You have a beautiful, caring spirit that is revealed in your poetry. Timeless words that have the ability to touch many more than you will ever know."
- Ellie N.

"I got a rush today. My best friend, who carries an immense personal load, thanked me for emailing this poem. He thought every line was speaking to him right where he lived. He thought I knew or was lead by God to send it. I was trying a simpler technique (I'm an neophyte on computer) and thought the lines about people being what they are might help him as he is often ashamed to be human. He is a gifted skeptic and says he is ready to become a christian and has asked me to help him. Thanks so much for making yourself transparent, vulnerable, humble, and leading the way."
- Mike R.

"Just like there is a difference between a person who can draw and a true artist, or someone who can sing and a true soprano, there is a difference between one who can write and one who is a true creative genius. You, sir, are a true poet and should be published. You paint a picture and you tell a story in verse to create imagery in the mind that will stay . . . magical.”
- Shirley M.

"What I truly admire most about what little I have read of your poetry so far is the compassion that is so prominent in your work. If more people had your level of sincerity and love for people, this world would be a whole lot better off. I think many of us could learn a lesson or two from you, as I certainly have."
- Don B.

”If I didn't know better, I'd think this piece was written by Longfellow. It has the passion and certitude of his "Psalm of Life" and its undeniable truth as well, I think. You are definitely one of the "New Masters" in my book.”
- Debbie L.
store
Please follow the links below each item to purchase.

If you'd like a print or ebook copy of The Other Belfast, please visit -
http://www.amazon.com/Other-Belfast-John-Sidney-Rickerby/dp/1456836633

Four Green Fields - Irish Banter & Craic, Shenanigans & Poetry -
(Irish Stories with Greg McVicker and J.P. Sexton)
https://www.amazon.com/Four-Green-Fields-Stories-Shenanigans/dp/1989053068

Great Big World (my music CD for kids and parents) -
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/markrickerby2

Mark's Irish tenor father sings the classics -
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/johnrickerby

Mark Rickerby Poetry, Book 1 - Inspiration (Kindle only)
http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Rickerby-Poetry-Inspiration-Includes-ebook/dp/B0172U7JBS

Mark Rickerby Poetry, Book 2 - Love (Kindle only)
http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Rickerby-Poetry-Includes-Spring-ebook/dp/B018A3GIJ0

PLEASE CHECK BACK HERE SOON FOR NEWS ABOUT MARK'S TV SHOW AND HIS NEW, ILLUSTRATED BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.
GET IN TOUCH

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
mrickerby@yahoo.com
OR... LEAVE A MESSAGE
Name

Email

Message

Comment

Mark Rickerby

Co-owner of Temple Gate Films, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Actor

Owner of Temple Gate Films, Producer, Screenwriter, Script Consultant, Copy Editor and Author with dozens of stories in print, including 26 Chicken Soup for the Soul stories.

AUTHOR

Traditionally published in dozens of books and magazines.

SCREENWRITER

Numerous screenplays and a western TV series.

COPY EDITOR

Copy editor and ghost writer of hundreds of written works.

OWNER / PRODUCER - TEMPLE GATE FILMS

Numerous productions in development.

Social Feed

Check out my latest updates!

Mark Rickerby

Shop Now

Check out our products.

Great Big World - 15 Original Songs for Children (and Parents!)

The Other Belfast - An Irish Youth

Sign up for Mark's newsletter!

If you'd like to receive updates on Mark's publishings and Temple Gate Films productions, please leave your first name and email address below. Your information will never be shared with any third party.

BOOKS & MAGAZINES

A few of the publications Mark has written or contributed to.

REVIEWS

store

Please follow the links below each item to purchase.

GET IN TOUCH

OR... LEAVE A MESSAGE