Mark Clement

Contributing Writer

Highlights

Specialties: Remodeling and carpentry
Education: Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in philosophy from Saint Michael’s College, Vermont
Other work: Popular Mechanics, Fine Homebuilding, The Journal of Light Construction, Extreme How-To, and “just about every major title and brand in the shelter space.”

Proudest DIY

“That’s easy,” says Mark. “Joplin.” Through a series of impossible-to-arrange events his wife coordinated, they together designed and built a massive playground for the devastated city of Joplin, Missouri, after a tornado ravaged the town in 2011. With a crew assembled via Facebook, they descended on Joplin and into the wild world of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. In 90-something hours they removed two tennis courts, built their hearts out, made friends, broke equipment, and left a place better than they found it. “There’s something more important going on when one undertakes a project, big or small. The goal isn’t to be the hero or save the family or have the best story at the cookout: It’s to get done what needs to be done. That’s Important, capital I,” says Mark.

About

Mark Clement is a carpenter and professional remodeler who loves telling stories about tools and how-to’s in any way he can: articles, TV, online, and books—including a novel called The Carpenter’s Notebook. So much so, in fact, he says he “may be the most published person you’ve never heard of.”

Experience

Mark has spent his whole life in home improvement and maintenance. Starting off young with mailbox fliers and his mom’s lawn mower, he went on to install seasonal docks on Cape Cod and, with occasional breaks for bartending, quickly came to realize that building and making things beautiful was it for him.

He went on to edit Tools of the Trade Magazine, where he “learned about as much about building—and life—as is possible to learn” and got paid to interview carpenters from all over the country, helping them tell their stories and share their passions. That insight became the bedrock for his novel. With his wife, Theresa Clement, he helped develop the blog MyFixitUpLife, opening the way to other home improvement adventures: trade shows, podcasting, and television.