Mark D. Walker

Mark D. Walker was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala (1971-1973) and spent over forty years helping disadvantaged people in the developing world with agencies like Food for the Hungry, MAP International, Make A Wish International, and the CEO at Hagar USA. His book, Different Latitudes: My Life in the Peace Corps and Beyond, was recognized by the Arizona Authors Association. His second book, My Saddest Pleasures: 50 Years on the Road, won the Peace Corps Writers’ Award for Best Travel Book.  His latest book, The Guatemala Reader: Extraordinary Lives and Amazing Stories, is a Best Seller and recipient of the BookFest Award for Nonfiction travel. All three books are part of the Yin & Yang of Travel Series.

His first book, Different Latitudes: My Life in the Peace Corps and Beyond, was recognized by the Arizona Literary Association. According to the Midwest Review, "…it is more than just another travel memoir. It is an engaged and engaging story of one man's physical and spiritual journey of self-discovery…."

He’s written 85 book reviews, and of his 30 published essays, two were recognized by the Solas Awards for Best Travel Writing. He’s a contributing writer for “The Authors Show,” “The Wanderlust Journal” and “Literary Traveler.” His column, “The Million Mile Walker Review: What We’re Reading and Why,” is part of the Arizona Authors Association newsletter. He also contributes book reviews to the Midwest Review and The Greatest Writers You Should Read digital magazine hosted by The Authors Show.

His honors include the Rotary International "Service Above Self" award, and he was interviewed by VoyagePhoenix Magazine, Global Talk Radio and twice on Global Connections Television. He’s a board member of the Arizona Authors Association, Advance Guatemala and SEEDS for a Future as well as an Advisory Board member of Peace Corps Worldwide. His wife and three children were born in Guatemala.