Will Caverly
Author and Mercenary Pen
Will Caverly writes about history and the outdoors from his home in Chester County, PA. He's the author of the local history book TINICUM & EASTWICK: Environmental Justice and Racial Injustice in Southwest Philadelphia, published by Brookline Books. He's also the author of HERE, THE BEES STING, a beekeeping thriller from the perspectives of the bees and their keepers. He's been published in outlets like Commonweal Magazine, Bee Culture, and The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia, and is an active member of the PA Outdoor Writers Association.Subscribing to the Mercenary Pen Substack is the best way to stay up to date with what Will is doing! He's currently working on a book about medical ethics, a new thriller, and a book about diet and empire.He ALWAYS wants to talk with readers, fans, and haters. Email him at will.caverly@gmail.com or failing that, try to reach out using semaphore or carrier pigeon.Here's some of what he's worked on:
Tinicum & Eastwick: Environmental Justice and Racial Injustice in Southwest Philadelphia is available through the publisher website, on Amazon.com, and in some bookstores. Read a sample here.
Here, the Bees Sting, a beekeeping thriller from the perspectives of the bees and their keepers.
The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia, where he has an entry on the history of the Philly ACLU.
His fundraising satire, The Fundraising Survival Guide.
The Original Transplants Podcast, a show about his homestead adventures with his family.
Other published works include op-ed on synthetic pollination, a piece on the history of the Philly ACLU, and his article in Root Quarterly on sacrifice in medical ethics.
Will blogs at The Mercenary Pen. A few of the articles from there include an essay on the origins of the CDC, a piece on Sam Untermyer, the so-called Man Who Killed JP Morgan, and his thesis on medieval Moroccan history.
The Tinderbox Podcast, a periodic history show, currently on hiatus. Check out COUNTED AS CAST, an audio series about the Battle of Athens, TN, and ANGEL FIRE, about the Korean American experience of the '92 LA Riots.
The Youtube for those who want to see a face made for podcasting.
You can also sign up for email notifications about Will's work below.
Praise for Will Caverly:"He should keep writing."
~A Goodreads reviewer"Caverly addresses complex issues without losing sight of the people and places whose stories he tells."
~Regina Munch, associate editor, Commonweal magazine"These portions really elevated the book and demonstrated that Caverly had something greater in mind than just a well-paced mystery."
~ T. Benjamin White, The Composted Books Review"Don't be surprised if this book stays with you forever.”
~James Stoddard, author of Liberty Bell and the Last American"Not going to lie, I'm not a well-read person because I typically don't read. That being said, I couldn't put this book down."
~an Amazon reviewer"Will Caverly has done a masterful job bringing the voices of the impacted residents to light."
~Rich Zeoli, Philadelphia Talk Radio Host"This is a rich and provocative set of reflections, Will; it includes much that I may think about for a while."
~Commenter, Back Porch Republic"Caverly’s study opens the door for environmental and civil rights historians to examine similar studies in large cities across the United States.”
~Pennsylvania History, Spring 2026"Because of this book, I quit my job at my nonprofit! Now I'm unemployed, all thanks to Will Caverly."
- Anonymous