Mark Shepard is the author of several books on simple living, nonviolent social change, and the flute, as well as children’s books under the name Aaron Shepard. He first learned to love sourdough bread in 1979 while visiting the Community of the Ark, a utopian society founded in France by an Italian disciple of Mahatma Gandhi.
On Mark’s return home, a friend taught him how to make sourdough of his own. After years of baking and devouring several loaves a week, he wrote and published the bestselling booklet Simple Sourdough. Decades later, he developed a 24‑hour, starterless method, which he described in a new book, Smart Sourdough.
After taking up sourdough, Mark also became interested in fermenting yogurt, pickles, and much later, sauerkraut—all of which are appearing in books of his.
Mark now lives in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife, Anne L. Watson.