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Try Not To Die
Series · 9 books · 2022-2025

Books in series

Try Not to Die book cover
#5

Try Not to Die

In the Wild West: An Interactive Adventure

2023

Welcome to the Wild West, a time of exploration, independence, and countless opportunities… for death. You’ve been to Placerita Town often to sell your father’s ironworks, but never have you experienced a day like this. Jumpin’ John and his gang of outlaws are tearing apart the town, and the Sheriff’s doing nothing to stop them. You’ll have to steer clear of the gang and brave the dangers of the desert if you’re going to survive in this interactive novel. Watch your back, choose wisely, and be careful who you trust. It’s wits versus might as you try to stay alive in the Wild West! MORE THAN TWO DOZEN WAYS TO DIE. JUST ONE CORRECT PATH. DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO SURVIVE? If you grew up reading Goosebumps ® or Choose Your Own Adventure ® stories, you’ll love this western! Find out why fans say, “I had a great time with the different decisions, even though I died a lot!” Previously published as Try Not to In the Wild West \[Episodes 1-19\] on Kindle Vella. Don’t wait - Click the BUY button now!
Try Not to Die book cover
#7

Try Not to Die

At Dethfest: An Interactive Adventure

2024

STEP INTO THE WORLD OF HEAVY METAL AND PREPARE FOR AN ELECTRIFYING, BONE-SHATTERING ADVENTURE. You and your friends arrive at Dethfest – the wildest metal festival of the year – expecting an evening of crushing guitar riffs, the heaviest headbanging bands, and a whole lot of partying. But as the music blares and the crowd roars, freak accidents, fights, and arrests occur across the festival. Tess is acting strange, and Kyle's talking conspiracies, but Luna seems to like you and is down to stay for the headliners. Faced with riots, stabbings, and the odd act of cannibalism, you'll need to use all your wits and make careful choices if you want to drag your friends out of this mess in one piece. Something sinister is going down at this festival – and as things become increasingly dark and twisted, you'll be forced to question if this night of partying was the worst mistake of your life... THIRTY WAYS TO DIE. JUST ONE CORRECT PATH. DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO SURVIVE? This interactive adventure is packed with twists and turns, heart-pumping action, and plenty of opportunities to make choices that could be your last. Fans of horror, suspense, and heavy metal will love this thrilling ride through the dark side of the music scene. So put on your blackest clothes, grab your ticket, and get ready to rock out - because the stakes have never been higher than they are at Dethfest.
Try Not to Die book cover
#8

Try Not to Die

Back at Grandma's House: An Interactive Adventure

2022

You may have managed not to die At Grandma’s House, but the odds are stacked against you in this spine-chilling sequel to the interactive adventure.After barely surviving your grandparents’ house, you’re on the road and not looking back. Freedom and safety lay ahead. That all changes when your brother needs a miracle cure that can only be found in one place, and you must return to the grisly scene. Unleashed horrors roam the mountainside. Armed goons are closing in. And the clock is ticking. What other choice do you have? Are you ready to step back into the heart of the nightmare? Can you navigate the treacherous path or will you become another victim of the madness pouring out of Grandma’s house? A DOZEN WAYS TO DIE. JUST ONE CORRECT PATH. DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO SURVIVE? If you grew up reading Goosebumps ® or Choose Your Own Adventure ® stories, you’ll love this fast-paced adventure! Find out why fans say, “I had a great time with the different decisions, even though I died a lot!” Don’t wait - Click the BUY button now! The survivor edition of this story was previously published as Try Not to Back at Grandma's House in 11 episodes on Kindle Vella.
Try Not to Die book cover
#9

Try Not to Die

On Slashtag: An Interactive Adventure

2024

Are you ready to play the most important game of your life?Step onto the backlot of a real studio and experience the rush of being a playtester for the biggest reality competition show of the Slashtag. But when you discover the show is set in a haunted hotel, once home to a notorious serial killer, you realize you may have just made the worst mistake of your life. Trapped in a twisted world of puzzles, challenges, and evil spirits, you must use your skills to survive and unravel the mystery behind The Propitius Hotel. Will you push further into the hotel, or risk it all for a chance at one of the show's many horrific endings? Try Not to On Slashtag is a prequel to the novel Slashtag, but can be enjoyed on its own. Whether you're a die-hard Slashtag fan or new to the world, this book will have you on the edge of your seat as you Try Not to Die! Grab your copy today
Try Not to Die in a Dark Fairy Tale book cover
#10

Try Not to Die in a Dark Fairy Tale

An Interactive Adventure

2024

Once upon a time, fairy tales had happy endings, but you’ll need more than luck to make it through this interactive story in one piece. Your father, King Dorian, is on his deathbed and has given you and your twin brother a quest to determine who will wear his crown. Whoever can defeat five villains in the Wild Woods and return to the castle will become the next ruler of Vallorum. Prince Keaton has spent his life preparing for this moment, training with weapons and developing his athleticism, while you have been content with devouring books in the library. To even things out, you have been gifted a bloodthirsty talking blade and a book of arcane knowledge, but it’s up to you to prove that you have a backbone. Once you leave the castle, you’ll face monsters, magic, murder, and mayhem. Be careful who you trust and make sure to navigate obstacles wisely. Keaton will do whatever it takes to win the crown and control the kingdom. You cannot allow him that victory. MORE THAN TWO DOZEN WAYS TO DIE. JUST ONE CORRECT PATH. DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO SURVIVE? If you grew up reading Goosebumps ® or Choose Your Own Adventure ® stories, you’ll love this dark fairy tale! Find out why fans say, “I had a great time with the different decisions, even though I died a lot!” Don’t miss the opportunity to embark on this exhilarating quest. Rise to the challenge, and earn your spot on the royal throne! Don't wait. Grab your copy today!
Try Not to Die book cover
#11

Try Not to Die

At Meadow Spire Mall: An Interactive Adventure

2024

Valentine’s Day, 1998: Quinn Carpenter’s world has just crumbled. Humiliated by a mysterious prankster who exposed her crush to the entire school, she’s ready to hide away and never show her face again. But her best friend and fellow cheerleader Kirsten has other plans. Armed with a promise of girl time, retail therapy, and a bit of mischief, Kirsten drags Quinn out of bed and into the bustling chaos of Meadow Spire Mall. Little do they know, their escape from high school drama is about to turn into a living nightmare. Beneath the mall's vibrant facade lies a dark secret, a deadly menace that has been brewing underground for decades. As a fierce February storm rages outside, conditions are perfect for unleashing horrors long hidden from the human world. Can Quinn find the strength to face more than just her shattered ego? Will she and Kirsten survive the mall's chilling revelations, or will they become victims of its sinister past? Join Quinn on a heart-pounding journey where every choice counts, and only you can decide her fate. Will she emerge from the chaos, or will Valentine’s Day turn deadly? Dive into the secrets of Meadow Spire Mall to uncover the truth—if you dare! Over two dozen ways to die in this interactive book and only one correct way out. Perfect for fans of thrilling young adult fiction, this gripping tale will keep you on the edge of your seat, blending friendship, courage, and a race against time. Get your copy today and see if you can help Quinn escape!
Try Not to Die book cover
#14

Try Not to Die

In Arcranium

2024

Get ready for a heart-pounding, nightmare-inducing interactive experience. Your name is Ray Barton ...a down-on-his-luck, twenty something, who will do anything to make a buck. Experimental drugs, blood donations, a few pricks of the needle, even becoming a human lab rat is an option when you’re broke. And what easier way to earn a dollar than playing a video game? Did you say Virtual Reality? Did you say AI? Did you say... Arcranium? Enter the interactive world of Arcranium, a powerful new technology that brings the imagination to life. Think VR/AI on steroids. Play as Ray, alongside seven other lucky volunteers for the chance to change your life. Enter the narrative where anything is possible; Program Director Noah Lee will be your guide on this journey, and things are bound to get bumpy along the way. Take the leading role in numerous nightmare scenarios. As each horror unfolds, you are presented with a choice. Choose poorly and it’s game over. Creatures lurk behind every corner. Will you find your way out of Arcranium or will you become a fresh meal for the undead? Rediscover the joys of choosing your path inside this dark and twisted tale. Try Not to In Arcranium is the latest addition to the hit series, and also a prequel to Arcranium, originally released by Towse & Manx in ‘23. It's a rollercoaster ride of fear and excitement that will leave you breathless until the very end. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience set inside the virtual world of Arcranium. Courtesy Triggers include but are not limited to descriptive violence and some gore, vulgar language, mentions of drug use.
Try Not to Die book cover
#15

Try Not to Die

Escaping the Cult

2025

Will You Escape the Cult or Die Trying?Trapped in a secluded compound and surrounded by fanatics who worship mysterious gods, your only chance of survival for you and your brother is to escape—but the path out is riddled with danger, deception, and death. In this pulse-pounding addition to the Try Not to Die series, Angel Van Atta and Mark Tullius team up to deliver a gripping story of faith turned sinister. With every choice you make, you’ll uncover dark secrets about the cult and its powerful leaders. But beware—one wrong decision could lead to a gruesome end. Featuring over a dozen shocking deaths and only one way to escape, this interactive thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat as you navigate a world of magic, manipulation, and betrayal. Will the gods you once worshipped grant you freedom, or will they demand your sacrifice? Choose wisely. Trust no one. And above all, Try Not to Die. Perfect for fans of action-packed horror, psychological thrillers, and interactive fiction. Can you escape the cult alive, or will your story end in tragedy?
Try Not to Die book cover
#18

Try Not to Die

In a Hell Hole: An Alternate Ending Short Story

2023

Experience the heart-pounding journey in "Try Not to In a Hell Hole," a gripping short story with an alternate ending that will leave you breathless. Blair and her co-workers at Infinity Storage in San Enare, find themselves trapped in a storage facility after a devastating earthquake. With their only way out blocked and mysterious creatures lurking in the dark, they must fight for survival. This thrilling tale explores the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable circumstances. Can Blair and her companions find a way out before it's too late? Will they uncover the truth behind the mysterious events unfolding around them? Prepare for a pulse-pounding, page-turning adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. If you're a fan of suspenseful thrillers with unexpected twists and a dash of horror, "Try Not to In a Hell Hole" is a must-read. Brace yourself for a pulse-pounding tale of suspense, danger, and unimaginable horrors that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Authors

Jon Cohn
Jon Cohn
Author · 5 books

Jon Cohn is the award winning author of "The Island Mother." His latest novel, "Slashtag," is a horror-satire currently available on ebook, paperback, KU, and Audiobook! For more info visit www.slashtaginsider.com Writer, Board Game Designer & Horror Fanatic Jon has been a member of the games community since 2016, designing narrative-focused horror experiences like Grind House, and having the absolute joy of contributing to his favorite franchises like Ghostbusters and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. You can follow him on Instagram and Twitter @joncohnauthor. He would also love to give you free stuff like stories, audiobooks, and games by signing up for his mailing list at joncohnauthor.com. He lives in San Diego with his incredibly supportive wife Delaney, and two little monsters named Gizmo and Luna.

Mark Tullius
Mark Tullius
Author · 20 books

If you want to get to know me and my writing, come check out my podcast Vicious Whispers. I’m an open book and have no issues being vulnerable, looking at my mental health and other struggles. As a reward for making it through my babbling, I share my short horror stories, chapters from science fiction and suspense novels, as well as excerpts from nonfiction at the end of each episode. My writing covers a wide range, with fiction being my favorite to create, a dozen or so titles under my belt. There are 4 titles in my YA interactive Try Not to Die series and 16 more in the works. I also have two nonfiction titles, both inspired by a reckless lifestyle, playing Ivy League football, and battering the hell out of my brain as an unsuccessful MMA fighter and boxer. Unlocking the Cage is the largest sociological study of MMA fighters to date and TBI or CTE aims to spread awareness and hope to others that suffer with traumatic brain injury symptoms. I live in sunny California with my wife, two kids, three cats, and one demon. Derek, he pops in whenever he’s tired of hell and wants to smoke weed. He makes special appearance on my podcast, social media, and special Facebook reader group Dark and Disturbing Fear-Filled Fiction. You can also get your first set of free stories by signing up to my newsletter. This letter is only for the brave, or at least those brave enough to deal with bad dad jokes, a crude sense of humor, and loads and loads of death. Derek and I would love to have you join us! Here are all my links - https://youcanfollow.me/MarkTullius

John Palisano
John Palisano
Author · 11 books

One evening when I was only a small boy, my father allowed me to stay up late with him and watch NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD on television. He fell asleep, but I waited for the end. I couldn’t believe they’d let the lead guy die after all that. I was horrified. Later that summer we went to the drive-in, which was a big deal in Norwalk, Connecticut in the 1970s. Everyone went. We all piled into the Bomb, our old station wagon, and saw lots of movies there. There was a swing set right up front where a many of the little kids congregated. We got a kick out of that, especially during GREASE, because there was a similar set-up in the movie. One night, though, there was a double-feature that I’ll never forget. Demon Seed scared me, and the unforgettable images still haunt me. The film that followed, though, ruined me for good. ALIEN. I don’t think I walked past my attic door after dark that entire summer for fear the alien would snatch me up and away. Soon I couldn’t even go to the beach. JAWS waited for us. Of course, this was also the time I discovered my father’s treasure trove of old horror comics, most of which I still have safe and sound. My imagination was on fire. We went to some of the early science fiction conventions in New York. I found Fangoria, and used Tom Savini’s Grande Illusions book in an attempt to make my own monsters at home, and experimented with that for several fake-bloodstained years. Eventually, though, I realized my favorite part was in dreaming up the ideas. In all truth, I was better in that regard than in any of my make-ups. During middle school I put out a xeroxed fanzine Castle Gore that I sold to my classmates for a quarter an issue. Inside, alongside my reviews of whatever movies were coming out, I put some of my own short stories. By the time I was thirteen I’d completed my first novel . . . novella, really . . . about a time-traveling teenager who saves the world from a monster bred in a Victorian scientist’s lab. He used a flying go-kart to do so. Songwriting found me. For years I toured with rock n’ roll bands, opening for national acts, and all the while, writing lots of lyrics, poems, and short stories. Winding up at Emerson College, I truly found myself. My short stories were finally professionally published in some of the local academic literary magazines, and also my script He’d Hoped For Mars won the Latent Image Magazine screenwriting contest, but was turned into a successful short film, scored by Aaron Logan at nearby Berklee College of Music. After college I moved to Los Angeles, taking an internship with Ridley Scott. That was a phenomenal time in my life, and I learned so much. I worked on many big budget films, and got to see how those films I grew up with really came together. Of course, being in that hotbox, I wrote lots of scripts. Had an option or three, and produced a couple of low-budget films while I was at it. Something happened, though. The movies of the scripts often came out so differently than the original ideas. Budget compromises. With writing stories, well, the only limit is your imagination. You’re not limited to how much money you have, or time, or your location, or the skill of the CG artists on your team. Shifting gears to prose has not been easy. I had hundreds of rejections from top markets until I began to place my stories. That is not an exaggeration. It was harder to place a pro-level fiction piece than find financing for my first film. I love the challenge, and few things have been as satisfying. My journey continues, of course. All these years later, we finally have the release of my novel NERVES from Bad Moon Books in the winter of 2012. In the meantime, there’s lots of short stories appearing soon, and several movie projects, too. Thanks for reading. Best, John Palisano

Mark Towse
Mark Towse
Author · 19 books

Mark Towse is an Englishman living in Australia. He would sell his soul to the devil or anyone buying if it meant he could write full-time. Alas, he left it very late to begin this journey, penning his first story since primary school at the ripe old age of forty-five. Novellas to date include: Nana, Crows, The Bucket List, Hope Wharf, 3:33, One Last Shindig, Nature's Perfume, and Arcranium 'Mark Towse is an exciting new discovery. His stories are hidden gems that glint in the darkness. His characters draw you into their worlds, making you care, then plunge you into the abyss, leaving only a memory of warmth. These tales will linger in your mind long after the telling. His are heart-felt stories with an icy edge. Highly recommended.' Trevor Denyer – Editor and Publisher – Midnight Street Press https://twitter.com/MarkTowsey12 https://www.facebook.com/mark.towse.75 https://marktowsedarkfiction.wordpres...

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