This promises to be fun! I’ll be chatting to Ben Aaronovitch about Stone Sky at the actual British Library on 30th March. Get your tickets here.
Me, Ben Aaronovitch, British Library, 30th March…
Tag: books
Join me and JULIE WASSMER for a LIVE recording of the podcast
As part of the Escalate Arts Literature Festival, I’m going to be interviewing bestselling author and screenwriter JULIE WASSMER at the Staines Library Hub on Saturday 14th March, 2026 from 3-4pm… and we’re recording it for the Creative Differences podcast! And you can join us live!
Julie wrote for Eastenders for over 20 years and is the author of Whitstable Pearl mysteries, which is now a hit TV series starring Kerry Godliman, and I can tell you from past experience that Julie is a brilliant guest, so generous with advice and very funny: you don’t want to miss this!
Join us in person…
Who Am I, anyway…?
Who is this Mark Stay person, anyway? A quick hello/introduction to any news followers after that libraries vid went a bit popular…
Authors Get Money When You Use the Library
Did you know that every time someone borrows a book from a library in the UK or Ireland that the author gets money?! Guess who just got his PLR statement!
A Quick Tour of My Notebooks
Here’s a tour of my “live” notebooks…
I bought a second hand book and found a spooky note…
Ever bought a second-hand book and found anything strange inside…?
Book Dedications: Where do they come from (part two)
Those little dedications authors put at the start of their books: why do we do it? What do they mean? Here’s a quick tour of my Witches of Woodville books…
You can find all these books here: https://witchesofwoodville.com/the-village-bookshop/
The End of Gods Unboxing Video
It’s here! THE END OF GODS is out today! And what better way to celebrate its publication, than a simple unboxing video. One in which I use actual magic!
Here are all the buy links…
Video Credits:
No Ai was used in the making of this video.
Camera, Sound, Edit & VFX: Kai Newton-Stay
Assistant Director: Emily Newton-Stay
Author’s Unfortunate Helper: George Stay
Music: Dom Currie
Staff crafted by Merlin Boorman
End of Gods cover art by Alejandro Colucci
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
MARK: I’ve done a few book unboxing videos in my time, but this is the first one where I’ll be using actual magic.
I commissioned this magical staff — a replica of one used by Rosheen Katell in THE END OF MAGIC — it was made by a man called Merlin…
Yes, really — who has only just now revealed to me that it actually works…
George!
(George drops the box with the books)
Merlin told me that the staff opens portals to magical experiences and that includes boxes with books. He’s given me a ritual which I am now going to recite from a safe distance.
EdWil… sonSim… onSpan…
TonLi… saRog… ersJu…
lianBarr-i… AnSains… buryAle… jandro…
Colucci!!
(George coughs)
I guess we’ll just have to put a graphic up…
Anyway, The End of Gods is available from all good bookstores, of course, if you want a signed copy you can come to my online store… the address will be scrolling across the bottom there…
GEORGE: Dad…
MARK: Yes?
GEORGE: I can’t see…
MARK: Thumbs up. You’ll have to wait for the audiobook…
Caimh McDonnell: Notice When You’re Doing Your Best Writing | Mark Stay’s Creative Differences Ep 18
Caimh McDonnell is the author of the Bunny McGarry trilogy (not a trilogy) and the Stranger Times series (definitely a series) and his latest RING THE BELLS is one of my favourite books of the year.
In this festive special, we discuss:
How travel triggers story ideas
The value of short stories
Why calling something a trilogy is a bad idea
And why it’s crucial to take note of when you’re writing good stuff, and much more!
Or watch it on Youtube…
LINKS
Caimh’s website
Pre-Order The End of Gods paperback
Joe Abercrombie backlist
Down Cemetery Road
Raye: Where is my husband?
Scriptnotes book
Death by Lightning
Wish You Were Here 50th Anniversary
A huge thanks to Emily Stay-Newton for production assistance, to Kai Stay-Newton for the edit, and Dominic Currie for the jingle.
Support the show:
Visit https://markstaycreativedifferences.com/
Join The Green Room: https://ko-fi.com/markstaywriter/tiers
Buy my books here: https://witchesofwoodville.com/#bookshop
And there’s more about me at: https://markstaywrites.com/
Gavin G Smith: Know Your Own Worth | Mark Stay’s Creative Differences Episode 17
Gavin G Smith writes gripping science fiction and his latest is ALIEN CULT, a terrific murder mystery noir set in the ALIENS universe.
We Discuss:
Writing for other people’s IP, including games and film novelisations
The crucial difference between a consistent universe and fan service
Why he might enjoy research too much
And why it’s more important than ever for authors to value their work…
Or watch it on Youtube…
LINKS
Gavin’s website
Pre-Order The End of Gods paperback
Mark’s comic con playlist
WHAT’S GIVING US JOY
Baldur’s Gate 3
Where Eagles Dare
Bond
Paddington
The Holiday
Die Hard
Young Sherlock Holmes
Roofworld: (I earn commission if you buy via this link)
A huge thanks to Emily Stay-Newton for production assistance, to Kai Stay-Newton for the edit, and Dominic Currie for the va-jingle.
Mark Stay Writes 