WHAT IF... YOU STEPPED BEYOND REALITY?
Explore two captivating collections of horror, humor, and speculative fiction where every story begins with a question…
I grew up on a small farm in southern Michigan where I became interested in nature and science. I attended Michigan State University getting two BS degrees and a MS degree in entomology. Between the BS degrees, I served in the Peace Corps in Malaysia, training primary school teachers in agriculture. I have forty-two years of experience in Integrated Pest Management, first as a private consultant in Michigan and then as an extension agent/senior program leader in, field and vegetable crops at Rutgers University, where I earned my PhD in entomology. I retired at the age of seventy-six in 2023. My wife and I adopted three of our five children.
"What If" Excerpts
“Opening it, he found a hand-written note. His eyes widened as he read the note. The writing was thin and spidery, saying, “Mr. Wilcox, I just want you to know that Thaddeus has a big brother. Sincerely, Harold Branson” – Thaddeus
“YOU!” he said, his voice heavy with disbelief. His spine shot straight, and he sat upright in the booth. “You!” he repeated more forcefully. – The Old Man in the Woods
“But…how?” Lucille’s senses reeled. She couldn’t believe what she saw. Jingy by jinggies, what had she gotten herself into?” – Lucille’s Case
Books
WHAT IF TOO
What If…, Too, is a second compilation of fictional short stories of horror, scary moments and a touch of humor. These are based upon my experiences and odd thoughts about nature. Most of these stories I have had locked up in my mind for years, and may be different from other books, as my stories are based upon science and lived experiences. The target audience should be teenagers and older.
What if
What If… is a collection of short stories that have been in my mind for years. Some horror, some humor, and something in-between. I start with an idea or question, or something in my experience and then wrap the story around it. A second book will be published soon, What If…,Too which is along similar lines, though there will be more horror in these stories.
Reviews
This series of short stories is well crafted and eerie. Readers will enjoy the author’s twists and turns on reality and submerse you into his storytelling! A must read debut book!
-Katrina Eddy
“What If…” is such a fun, unexpected read! Joseph Mahar weaves horror, humor, and humanity into each short story, keeping you guessing and entertained the whole way through. You can tell these stories come from a curious mind—some are creepy, some made me laugh out loud, and a few really made me think. If you like authors like Ray Bradbury or Neil Gaiman, definitely give this one a shot. Highly recommend for fans of quirky, thought-provoking fiction!
-Katrina Eddy
Contact Joseph Mahar
Have questions or ideas? We’d love to hear from you! Whether it’s insights, collaborations, or just a hello—reach out and let’s connect today.
"I loved Thaddeus!"
- Melanie McDonald
"Twisted"
- Peter Dodson
"It was spooky, Joe."
- Claudia Sparacio
"Unpredictable endings"
-Peter Dodson
© 2026 Joseph Ingerson Mahar. All rights reserved.