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Home Before Midnight Publishing is the creative home of author and musician Joe Markko—bringing together books, music, essays and more than half a century of storytelling.

From historical fiction and memoir to the untold history of Christian rock, the work found here is shaped by experience, faith, memory and the enduring belief that words and music can still matter in a distracted world.

Discover the Books

Explore the award-winning historical novel The Cowbird’s Song, the deeply personal autobiography When Someday Comes, and The Birth of Christian Rock and the Story of Agape—the remarkable story of the Jesus Movement and the musicians who helped create a new genre of American music.

“The Cowbird’s Song is a rugged, prayer-haunted novel about the nests we steal, the names we choose, and the mercy of still being carried downstream. An eloquently composed, intricately constructed historical narrative.”

“When Someday Comes is a cautionary tale about deception, zeal, loss and the terrible cost of brokenness left unhealed. But it is also, stubbornly and beautifully, a story of redemption. Out of ruin comes wisdom. Out of grief comes grace.”

“More than just a foray into a musical genre; it’s an exploration of friendship, spiritual growth and the profound propagation of divine love. A must-read for those seeking a heartwarming narrative on faith, music, and unity.”

Listen to the Music

Long before Home Before Midnight became a publishing house, there was music. Discover the songs of Joe Markko with recordings from Home Before Midnight, the Troubled Planet Project and the All Saved Freak Band.

“New Music from the North Coast!” Born from a collaboration of Northeast Ohio musicians, Home Before Midnight creates original music shaped by rock, folk, blues and a lifetime of musical influences.

“Man, these guys were just so good! Wailing away one minute – folk mood, jazz lightness the next. Showing maturity in sound and lyric, all their albums are treasures with layers of interest both musically and lyrically.”

The Troubled Planet Project explores faith, doubt, hope and life in an unsettled world. Conceived as one musical journey in ten movements. the project blends rock, orchestration and layered arrangements.

Read essays and articles drawn from a lifetime of experience—along with stories about the people, places and events that helped shape the books and music found throughout this site.

Welcome to Home Before Midnight

This is more than a catalog of books and recordings. It is an evolving collection of stories, music, history, faith and memory gathered across a lifetime. Browse awhile. Read something. Listen to a song. Perhaps, somewhere along the way, you’ll find something of value, something worth taking “home before midnight.”

Ancora Imparo.
Still, I am learning.

HOME BEFORE MIDNIGHT PUBLISHING
Cleveland, Ohio