MarkStayWrites

Getting Emotional with Ivy Ngeow

Ivy Ngeow is a powerhouse of creativity. A musician, a novelist and writer of cookery books, diet books, interior design, she’s done it. Her new novel is The American Boyfriend and she talks about how she studied bestsellers before writing it to better understand what makes a smash hit and it’s paid off as she now has an international hit and is signing books at places like Singapore airport!

Then in the extended edition for our Academy members and Patreon supporters, me and Mr D discuss the different routes to market for your novels, including airports, supermarkets and gift boxes and loot crates! You can support the podcast and get hundreds of hours of extra material here.

Ashford Library – Author Talk – Gabby Hutchinson Crouch & Mark Stay

Thursday 9 November 2023 at 6pm – 7.30pm

Join Gabby Hutchinson Crouch (Darkwood) and Mark Stay (The Witches of Woodville) as they discuss the challenges and joys of writing humorous fantasy fiction and their influences!

Gabby Hutchinson Crouch is a regular writer on Radio 4′s THE NEWS QUIZ and THE NOW SHOW. Her first novel, DARKWOOD, was published in 2019 by Farrago Books, followed by the second in the series, SUCH BIG TEETH, a year later, and the third in the series, GLASS COFFIN, published in 2021.

Mark Stay got a part-time Christmas job as a bookseller back in 1993 and worked in publishing for over 25 years. He would write in his spare time and sometimes those writings would get turned into books and films, including the Witches of Woodville series from Simon & Schuster, and the 2023 Warner Bros. horror movie Unwelcome.

For more information and for bookings, please contact Ashford Library

This event complements the Living Knowledge Network exhibition, Fantasy: Realms of Imagination at Ashford Library between Friday 27 October – Saturday 11 November. Visit our Fantasy hub for more information about the Living Knowledge Network exhibition.

Robert Rankin in conversation with Mark Stay at Horley Library

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 18:30 – 19:30 GMT

Robert Rankin will be discussing the influence of The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke and other art on his writing with author Mark Stay. After the discussion, there will be a time for audience questions, then meet the authors for book sales and signing. BOOK TICKETS HERE.

Roots of Fantasy Panel with Authors Mark Stay, A.Y. Chao and Jen Williams

Guildford Library

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 18:30 – 19:30 GMT

Come and join authors Mark Stay, A.Y. Chao and Jen Williams as they take a fascinating look at the fantasy fiction that has inspired their writing. After the panel discussion, there will be a time for audience questions, then meet the authors for book sales and signing. BOOK TICKETS HERE

Heather Morris says Shut up and Listen…

This week we celebrate seven years of the Bestseller Experiment podcast and I can’t think of a better way to mark the occasion than with Heather Morris, bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and more who returns with a new novel, Sisters Under the Rising Sun, whichtransports the reader to the women in Japanese POW camps in WWII and is another incredibly powerful story.

Heather’s writing and her attitude to life and her work embodies everything we love about writers and it was such a privilege to speak with her.

And if that wasn’t enough, as a special little treat this episode includes the extended version of the podcast for free (normally reserved for podcast supporters and folk int he Bestseller Academy) and this week includes me giving tips for writing emotions and getting an emotional response from readers…

The Tiny, Weird Obsessions of Writers with Julie Owen Moylan

There’s a lovely bit in this week’s Bestseller Experiment podcast with novelist Julie Owen Moylan where she talks about writers wanting approval, ‘We want to get our homework marked.’ And it’s true, we set out as writers with dreams of our work getting great reviews and being loved by all… But one of the lessons you learn as soon as people start reading your stuff is that you can’t please everyone. It’s a fool’s errand and you’re much better off writing to please yourself first. And that can start by leaning into what Julie calls her ‘tiny, weird obsessions’. These are the things that you think no one will get. The thoughts, jokes and peculiarities that you think are completely unique to you. And they probably are, but that doesn’t mean others won’t understand. Because all those strange little idiosyncrasies are your voice. That’s what makes you unique and will make you writing unlike any other. Some people won’t get it, but those who do will absolutely love it. Be true to yourself. Be weird.

Being Positive with Gareth L Powell

Great to get Gareth back on the podcast as so much has happened since we last had him on, but the thing I admire about him the most is his ability to stay positive in the social media sewer! He talks about that and more — including working with Peter F Hamilton, how starting a commercial thriller led him to writing his most personal book and how he wrote a book on writing almost by accident.

There’s also a fun coda to the episode as I read an extract from SC Gowland’s new book Delusions and Dragons in which there’s a cameo from two familiar shopkeepers called Mark. That delight comes at the 1:06:59 point here…

Everything you need to know to publish and market your book…

A bold claim! Come along to the Maidstone Literary Festival this Saturday for a double event with me and Kelly Weekes. My talk is titled ‘You’ve Written Your Novel… Now What?’ and I cover…

Being an author in 21st century
How to earn a living from writing
The pros and cons of traditional and self publishing
The different kinds of publishers
And how to sustain a career as a writer…
Q&A…

Then Kelly’s event covers finding readers and forming a marketing plan that resonates with your audience! The good folk at Madistone Literary Festival are offering a special reduced priced for tickets if you go to both events. Grab yours here.

MCM Comic Con, London 27th-29th October, 2023

I’m going to have a table at the MCM Comic Con the whole weekend where I’ll be selling and signing copies of all my books and there will be a few surprises too (I still have loads of Holly King chocolate to give away!). So pop along for a chat or come and get your books signed.

I’ll also be at the following panels…

Humour in Fantasy and Fiction

We’re always told to “write what we know” but satirists have always excelled in using other worlds to hold up a funhouse mirror to the foibles of our own world. Join Mark Stay (The Holly King), Gabby Hutchinson Crouch (Darkwood), David Wragg (The Hunters), Eddie Robson (Drunk on All Your Strange New Worlds) and Thomas D. Lee (Perilous Times) as they discuss the challenges and joys of writing fantastic comedy fiction.
Sat, Oct 28, 2023 • 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Location: Creator Stage

This will be followed by a signing at the Forbidden Planet stall:
Author Signing – Humour in Fantasy and Fiction
Sat, Oct 28, 2023 • 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
Location: Author Signings

Everything You Wanted to Know about Indie Publishing
Are you ready to publish your book, but you’re not sure where to turn? One option chosen by an ever-increasing number of writers is to self-publish. Join this panel of experts as they discuss the process of, and challenges and opportunities, presented by independent publishing.

Sun, Oct 29, 2023 • 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Location: Creator Stage

A Jolly Good Time at the Holly King Launch!

Had an amazing night launching The Holly King at Waterstones Canterburytonight. A huge thank you to everyone who came, to Claire for the cakes, Emilyfor the photos, and Merlin and Katie (aka Raven) for looking so amazing and for their incredible gift of a Holly King staff. And thanks of course to Martin and the gang at Waterstones! Still buzzing.