Mark Sahl

Welcome to the world of Mark Sahl

California Awakening Captures the 1970s California Landscape

California Awakening captures the innocence and intensity of youth in 1970s California. Follow Mark and Luke through a summer that transforms their understanding of friendship, identity, and the dreams that shape our lives.

Blending heartfelt storytelling with vivid imagery, author Mark Sahl invites readers on a deeply human journey — one filled with laughter, introspection, and emotional growth. Whether you lived through the 1970s or are discovering its magic for the first time, California Awakening rekindles the universal longing for connection, freedom, and self-discovery.

A voice rooted in truth and transformation

A true story of friendship, growth, and the California dream

Mark Sahl’s journey as a writer reflects a life rich with self-discovery and resilience. Growing up Jewish and gay in both Philadelphia and the Marshall Islands, he experienced cultural contrasts that shaped his worldview and voice. His storytelling embraces honesty, emotion, and humor — qualities that invite readers into deeply personal yet universally relatable experiences.

Before devoting himself to writing, Mark spent three decades in public relations across the Northeastern United States. Seeking balance and authenticity, he later settled in rural Puerto Rico and central Florida, where he continues to write and reflect on life’s quieter truths. His work celebrates identity, empathy, and the human connections that define us.

Follow Me

Step into Mark and Luke’s world. Order your copy of California Awakening

California Awakening follows 15-year-old Mark as he embarks on his first solo trip from the Marshall Islands to California to visit his best friend, Luke. What begins as a simple summer break turns into a transformative journey of friendship, belonging, and emotional growth. Through vivid scenes and authentic dialogue, readers are transported into a world of innocence, tension, and discovery.

Set against the colorful backdrop of mid-1970s California, the story explores how love, family, and personal connections shape who we become. Inspired by real experiences, the novel beautifully captures the excitement of youth and the awakening moments that help us understand ourselves — and the world — a little better.

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What readers are saying

Praise for a story that resonates across generations

“California Awakening transported me back to my own teenage years a time when every friendship felt like a lifeline and every summer held the promise of change. Mark Sahl writes with the warmth of memory and the clarity of truth. His descriptions of 1970s California are so vivid that I could feel the heat of the sun and smell the ocean air.”

Monica Reginal

Reader

“Sahl’s storytelling is cinematic yet deeply personal. His dialogue feels alive, and his depiction of friendship is both tender and raw. This book is a heartfelt reminder that the most powerful awakenings often happen in the quiet moments between people.”

David Jeo