M.D. PAYNE
Moonlit pumpkin patch with curling vines and glowing jack-o’-lanterns
New release

When mind-controlling pumpkins invade Little Pine, it's up to Adam and his friends to smash the infestation and save the world.

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Cover of Pumpkin Apocalypse by M. D. Payne

Music Inspired by Pumpkin Apocalypse

M.D. asked AI to come up with some real bangers inspired by the story of Pumpkin Apocalypse. Here are tunes that were his faves: but what is your favorite? Fill out the poll and let M.D. know.

The three contenders

Give them a listen. Then crown your favorite.

  • Pumpkin Apocalypse

    0:00 2:02

  • Pumpkin Brainpower

    0:00 4:07

  • Pumpkin King

    0:00 3:05
What’s your favorite?

Three contenders. One favorite. You decide.

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More haunted sounds: instrumentals perfect for your Halloween party

  • Pumpkin Tape Static

    0:00 2:38

  • Cathedral On The Corner

    0:00 2:04

  • Pumpkin Apocalypse Instrumental

    0:00 1:39
Murky illustrated swamp with fog and distant monster silhouettes
World 02

Enter the bookshelf

Welcome to Monster Juice—an offbeat middle-grade series filled with gross-out humor, horror, and adventure.

Cover of Fear the Barfitron, Monster Juice book one
Cover of Fartsunami, Monster Juice book two
Cover of Boogers from Beyond, Monster Juice book three
Cover of Burpstronauts, Monster Juice book four
Cover of Tomb of Brain Ooze, Monster Juice book five
Cover of Zits from Python Pit, Monster Juice book six
Cover of Sickening Secrets from Raven Hill, collecting Monster Juice books one and two
Cover of Stomach-Turning Tales of Terror, collecting Monster Juice books three and four

01 / 08

Fear the Barfitron

Chris discovers that the residents of the retirement home where he volunteers are monsters—and that they need his help in a truly vomit-inducing war.

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World 03

Amazing stories. True characters. Big questions

M. D. Payne’s contributions to the New York Times bestselling Who Was? series.

Cover of What Is the Story of Scooby-Doo?
Cover of Who Is R. L. Stine?
Cover of Who Was Duke Ellington?
Cover of What Is the Story of Captain Kirk?

01 / 04

What Is the Story of Scooby-Doo?

Discover how Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang went from Saturday-morning newcomers to animation icons known around the world.

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Illustrated old laboratory with stitched manuscripts and a restrained electrical arc
World 04

Choose what happens next

Frankenstein: Your Classics. Your Choices.

Explore alternative paths, new characters, surprising twists, and different endings inside Mary Shelley’s classic tale.

Enter the story
Cover of Frankenstein: Your Classics. Your Choices. by Mary Shelley and M. D. Payne
M. D. Payne seated in an armchair
Meet the author

Stories with laughs, chills, and a little bit of ooze.

M. D. Payne grew up in an Air Force family, moving through 11 homes and filling his childhood with books and presidential facts. His love of Halloween and horror led him to write copy for Goosebumps, create the gross-out horror series Monster Juice, and contribute to the New York Times bestselling Who Was series. A former jazz DJ and radio producer, he brings a love of history, humor, and strange stories to his books. He visits schools in person and virtually to share his enthusiasm for reading and writing, and lives in New Jersey with his wife and two children.

About M. D. Payne

School visits with M. D. Payne

Big ideas
start here.

A fan of kids, reading, and especially kids who read, M. D. gives presentations on reading and writing to children and teachers alike at numerous schools around the country, and around the world virtually.

Request a school visit
M. D. Payne laughing with young readers while holding Pumpkin Apocalypse
With young readers at The Curious Reader book launch.
Recommended grades
2nd–6th
Visit formats
In person & virtual
Session length
30 minutes to a full day

Topics I cover

  • M.D. Payne: A Writer’s Story

    How I became a writer.

  • What’s the Big Idea?

    Idea generation as the first step of the writing process.

  • Writing & reading workshops

    A variety of topics based on your needs and grade level.

A few words from the teachers.

“While the children were listening to M.D. Payne, they couldn't help but get sucked into the writing process because of his enthusiasm! (To be honest, so did the grownups.)”

Talitha JohnstonReading Teacher, White Plains Public Schools, NY
Testimonial 1 of 3: Talitha Johnston

Bring the stories to your school.

Plan your visit with Penguin Young Reader Author Visits.

Request a school visit PYRAuthorVisits@penguinrandomhouse.com

News & events

July26

The Curious ReaderGlen Rock

Book launch

Pumpkin
Apocalypse

A little pumpkin chaos at The Curious Reader. A look back at the July 26 book launch in Glen Rock, with stories, signed books, and plenty of smiles.

Explore the book
M. D. Payne holding Pumpkin Apocalypse while speaking to young readers
M. D. Payne at The Curious Reader

Scenes from the launch

Select a photo for a closer look.

Children and adults listening to M. D. Payne at the bookstore launch
In the audience
M. D. Payne and young readers holding Pumpkin Apocalypse at The Curious Reader
Meet the readers
Pumpkin muffins and pumpkin-shaped cookies at the book launch
Pumpkin treats
M. D. Payne signing a copy of Pumpkin Apocalypse for a reader
At the signing table
M. D. Payne laughing with young readers at the signing table
A few more laughs

In the press