Month: June 2022

One Week to the Launch of The Ghost of Ivy Barn…

Stand by for updates on the in-person event, a live-streaming event, and a free sneak peek at the opening chapter!

You — yes you! — are cordially invited to the launch of the next Witches of Woodville book THE GHOST OF IVY BARN on Thursday 7th July, 2022 at Waterstones, Canterbury…

But why should one come to a book launch? What even happens at a book launch? Here are some helpful pointers for book launch virgins…

  • I will greet you all and give a short reading from the book (I promise this will be 4 minutes or less!)
  • I will take questions from those gathered and answer them without repetition or hesitation. Probably.
  • The signing will begin!
  • There will be cake, which is free! (okay, technically included with the ticket price)
  • There will be wine and soft drinks, also free! (see above)
  • You will get a fiver off the first book you purchase. That basically means if you buy a book you’re getting in for free… this also applies to students, who get in free anyway!
  • You can meet the me in person, and I’ve had all my jabs and will have hand sanitiser on standby.
  • You can get your books signed, dedicated, personalised, scribbled/doodled on by me.
  • You can ask me questions that you didn’t want to ask in front of the others (or you thought of them while standing in line).
  • You can get your book stamped with the official Woodville Library stamp (while ink lasts)!
  • You can get a free Witches of Woodville bookmark (while stocks last).
  • You can have your photograph taken with me, a wizard, a witch, a ghost, or all of us!
  • Did we mention the cake?

This is the first time I’ve been able to launch a Woodville book in person. The Crow Folk was published in lockdown, and I had Covid when Babes in the Wood was published, so I would love to see as many of you good people as possible, so book a minibus and crash the party!

To ensure your place at the launch, simply visit those splendid people at Waterstones by clicking here.

JOIN US ON THE INTERWEBS WITH LIVE STREAMING

But if you can’t make it on the night, fear not… you can join us live on Youtube! Yes, we’re also streaming the event live, and you will have an opportunity to ask questions like everyone else, and there will even be some exclusive spooky content for streamers (if we can get the technical jiggery-pokery to work). You will have to provide your own cake and beverage, however. To join us on YouTube, simply click here.

FREE CHAPTER SAMPLE

Psst? Want a sneak peek at the first chapter of The Ghost of Ivy Barn? Simply click here to download it. This is the sort of thing normally reserved for subscribers to the Woodville Village Library Newsletter, but I like the look of you, so you can get it too. If you like what you see, you can find all kinds of pre-order links when you click on the book cover below.

If you want access to free and exclusive Woodville stories, then you can sign up for the newsletter here.

Hear an exclusive reading from The Ghost of Ivy Barn on my BBC Radio Kent interview with Dominic King…

I was delighted to pop on the Dominic King show on BBC Radio Kent last night. I read an exclusive bit from The Ghost of Ivy Barn and discussed how the magic ritual featured in the book is based on one that actually happened.

Click here for the show and skip forward to 2 hours 15 minutes for my bit.

Just two weeks to go till The Ghost of Ivy Barn is published! Have you got yours on order? There are links here.

https://witchesofwoodville.com/#ghostofivybarn

More Witches of Woodville books signed by Simon & Schuster…

Here’s a bit of good news from the folk at Bookbrunch (I’ve popped the full text below if you don’t have a subscription)…

Bethan Jones, senior commissioning editor at Simon & Schuster, has signed two further novels in Mark Stay’s Witches of Woodville series, billed as appealing to fans of Lev Grossman, Alan Garner and Terry Pratchett. S&S has UK & Commonwealth rights through Ed Wilson at Johnson & Alcock.

The series is set during the Second World War, as Faye Bright learns to use her powers to defend Woodville from demonic forces.

Jones said: “Editing these books over lockdown really helped to save my sanity! They are pure escapist joy, charming, nostalgic and absolutely compelling. I have fallen in love with Faye Bright and Woodville, and I am in awe of Mark’s incredible imagination and his ability to create such exceptional stories. I’m so pleased and excited that we will be seeing much more from these characters, and I cannot wait to see where Mark takes Faye next.”

Stay said: “I can’t tell you how much it means that I get to return to Woodville for more adventures. These books are my happy place, and the faith that Bethan and all the team at Simon & Schuster have shown in them over lockdown has been inspiring. Here’s to many more.”

Wilson said: “Mark has created the perfect feelgood series – witty, charming, and tailor-made for Sunday afternoon TV. It’s Buffy meets the Famous Five in WW2 Kent. Faye and her trusty bicycle against the forces of the occult, with hapless villagers getting in the way. Ginger beer at the ready! We hope the series runs right through till VE Day.”

Stay worked in the book business for 25 years, and is the author behind the forthcoming Warner Bros horror movie Unwelcome. He is co-presenter of the Bestseller Experiment podcast.

Heyne has begun publishing the Witches of Woodville series in Germany, and rights have gone in several other territories.

Amazing Crow Folk Art from Harry Goldhawk…

If you’ve read my Witches of Woodville books, you’ll have no doubt been blown away by the incredible cover art by Harry Goldhawk. Indeed, in my recent reader survey, the love for Harry’s work was overwhelming.

So you can imagine how delighted I was when Harry sent me two illustrations he’s done of the Crow Folk and Faye. Just take a moment to enjoy these, please…

The Crow Folk. Art by Harry Goldhawk.

Faye Bright. “Hello, Mum.” Art by Harry Goldhawk

If you want to check out more of Harry’s amazing work, pop over to Papio Press here.