Mark Schorr was born in New York, and has lived in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. After dropping out of college, he held a variety of jobs, including bookstore manager, news photographer, reporter, private investigator, and nightclub bouncer. He returned to college in his thirties, completing his undergraduate degree and earning his Masters in Counseling Psychology. He lives in Portland, Oregon, where he sits on the board of directors of a mental health & addictions clinic. His works include "Ace of Diamonds", "Diamond Rock", "Overkill", and "The Borzoi Control".