Mark K. Kurtens writes contemporary family fiction about second chances, co-parenting, and the quiet work of showing up. His debut, Three Years to Freedom, follows a single father who rebuilds life one square at a time after divorce and bankruptcy—with help from three clear-eyed kids and a dog named Shappy. The novel was inspired by a real three-year reset and a simple vow: health before money, family before glory, sleep before legends. Before turning to fiction, Kurtens worked in restructuring advisory, which informs the book’s crisp work scenes and everyday stakes. He loves reader Q&As and book-club conversations—ask him anything about starting over, co-parenting with grace, or how Shappy ended up stealing scenes.