Tag: novels

Are you a Writer? Want answers?

Twice a month, I run online sessions for writers called the Green Room.  You can ask me questions about the craft of writing, your WIP, or the business of publishing. The sessions are fun and informal and chatty. You can send me questions in advance. They’re recorded live and saved on Kofi for exclusive access to Green Room supporters. Recent topics for the Q&A sessions include…

‘Show, don’t tell’

Writing for children

Dealing with feedback

Happy endings

Writing historical fiction around real events

And much, much more!

And once a month we have a 200 Word Workshop, where you can send me 200 words from your current project and I give it a critique.

I’m running this via Kofi, where you can join by clicking on the Green Room membership tier for £20 a month.

There’s no long term commitment. With Kofi, you can support for just a month, or for as long as you like. 

My goal is to be able to give supporters advice that will make a real difference to their writing and career, because the way I see it: having worked in this industry as a salesperson, bookseller and author for over 30 years, I’ve made every mistake, so you don’t have to.

The next session is Thursday 12th June, 8pm BST…

FIND OUT MORE BY CLICKING ON THIS BRIGHT GREEN BUTTON!

And here are the international timings…

TIMEZONE INFO

THURSDAY 12th JUNE, 2025, 8PM BST

9PM CEST

12 NOON PDT

1PM MDT

2PM CDT

3PM EDT

FRIDAY 13TH, 5AM AEST

FRIDAY 13TH, 7AM NZST

Sarah Pinborough: “I Triple Write.”

This month’s special guest bestselling author Sarah Pinborough reveals when she knows that’s she finished a draft and how she ‘triple writes’ her books…

LISTEN TO THE WHOLE PODCAST

Or watch it on Youtube…

TRANSCRIPT

MARK: How do you know when you’re done?

SARAH: Well, Mark, invariably, I am skating in the last knockings of the deadline. So when I write the end, I literally think ‘I’m going to scan through this and I’m sending this fucker off,’ so… But, because I do triple write, as it were, like I plan in a notebook, then I rough write into Scrivener, then I copy it over into Word, tidy it in Word. I do it in like 8000 word chunks. I’ve kind of… if it’s not untidy and it’s not…. You know, it’s probably most people’s second draft, when I hand it in. And I kind of think… I mean obviously this would be different if it was on spec, but I’m like; they’ve paid for it. Let’s see if it’s holding, you know, because if it’s not holding, it doesn’t matter how pretty I make it. (If) there’s a massive structural problem, let’s get to that. You know, so I kind of figure that’s the way.

Sarah Pinborough: When is She Ready to Write?

This month’s special guest bestselling author Sarah Pinborough reveals when she knows that’s she ready to start writing…

TRANSCRIPT

MARK: What’s the thing that makes you think you’re ready to start writing on a project?

SARAH: When I’ve got the ending locked in place. I can’t start to write without… I have to see the final scene of the book in my head. So… Behind Her Eyes, the final chapter was in the pitch of the book. So I don’t have the whole book planned, obviously, but I tend to kind of have to have the characters names, a bit of a tent pegging. and the ending has to be locked so I know what I’m working towards. But you know, I’m great one for mulling… mulling for a long time. I think that’s the hardest part, isn’t it?

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Or watch the whole interview on Youtube:

I’ll be at the MCM COMIC CON, London this weekend

I’m delighted to be returning to the MCM Comic Con at the cavernous Excel Centre in London this weekend where I’ll be selling and signing m’books.

On the Saturday, I’ll be moderating a panel on writing comedy with these amazing authors: Joanna Nadin, MJ Northwood and Veronika Dapunt (click on the image for more details)…

If you’re one of the many thousands attending the MCM do please come along and say hello. I’ll be with all the fab authors in the WRITERS’ BLOCK where you’re bound to find a new favourite author.

GET TICKETS HERE

Mark Stay’s Creative Differences Episode 10 with Sarah Pinborough: THE LIES WE TELL

I chat with Sarah Pinborough, the bestselling and award-winning author of Behind Her Eyes about her new thriller We Live Here Now, spooky houses, her method of ‘triple writing’, going on tour and the lies we tell each other…

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Or watch it on Youtube…

LINKS

The book links are affiliate links and I earn a wee bit of commission if you buy from them.

WE LIVE HERE NOW

LAUNCH AT WATERSTONES MILTON KEYNES ON WEDNESDAY 4TH JUNE

SARAH’S US TOUR

MOBLAND
THE HANDMAID’S TALE
DOPE THIEF
TUBI FOR JACK PALANCE HORROR
YOU KILLED ME FIRST BY JOHN MARRS
THE HAMLET BY JOANNA CORRANCE
PAM KOWOLSKI IS A MONSTER BY SARAH LANGHAM
THE DEVILS BY JOE ABERCROMBIE
ANDOR
IT AIN’T ME BY EMILY ZECK

COME AND MEET MARK AT A COMIC CON

Mark Chadbourn on Bluesky
The Mike Shackle episode

Edit by Kai Newton
Production assistance by Emily Stay
Jingle by Dom Currie

THE GREEN ROOM

Tracy Buchanan on her Biggest Mistake

This month’s special guest bestselling author Tracy Buchanan reveals her biggest mistake in her career…

TRANSCRIPT

MARK: So what’s the biggest mistake you’ve ever made in your writing career?

TRACY: I think not being consistent and maybe pivoting too much sometimes. So, because I’m savvy I’m very aware of being careful with what publishers I’m with. I’ve learned that publishers are pretty much the same. A lot of publishers are the same. As in they’re great. A lot of publishers are great. And at the end of the day, you’re the one who’s in control. So they are helping you in a way. They’re almost like a freelancer for you. So staying with publishers, you know, I think there’s… it’s important to have that consistency. So I probably have, when I’ve been offered opportunities, jumped around a little bit too much. So, I think that’s, that’s something… I wouldn’t say it’s the biggest mistake I’ve made, but , you know, just being a bit more consistent.

Tracy Buchanan: Writing and Walks

This month’s special guest Tracy Buchanan reveals how her dog inspires her creativity…

TRANSCRIPT:

MARK: What small thing has made a big difference to your creative process?

TRACY: Oh, having a dog in my office. A small thing: it’s walks. I know that sounds really… Going out for walks when I get stuck on something or trying to come up with ideas. And that’s what my dog — my dog assistant is snoring at the moment — comes in. So that’s that is a small thing for me, because if I’m sat there and I cannot figure out this plot hole, if I go out into nature, walk around… It untangles. So I’d always recommend that to anyone: going out for walks.

LISTEN TO THE WHOLE PODCAST

Or watch the whole interview on Youtube…

Join Sarah Pinborough on the Creative Differences Livestream

Join me with bestselling author Sarah Pinborough on the livestream that looks at the little things that make a big difference to the creative process.

Sarah Pinborough is an award-winning and New York Times, Sunday Times, and internationally bestselling author and screenwriter who is published in over 30 territories worldwide. Having published more than 25 novels across various genres, her recent books include Behind Her Eyes, now a smash-hit Netflix limited series; 13 Minutes that’s she’s developing with Carnival/NBC, The Death House that she’s adapted herself for Compelling Pictures, and her most recent book Insomnia which she adapted herself and is now streaming on Paramount+
And she’s hilarious, wise and has a lovely dog called Ted.
Do please join us live as you’ll have the opportunity to ask Sarah questions on the night (and just before her big America tour!). 

It’s going to be so much fun. Put that date in your diaries now… 

Monday 12th May 8pm BST.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

Or join us on Youtube…

My Writing Process on the Real Writing Process Podcast

I had a great time talking to Tom Pepperdine about my writing process in great depth. This gets very nerdy, very quickly. This is an excellent podcast for writers, so do check out the backlist, too…

The Real Writing Process of James Goodhand – The Real Writing Process

Tom Pepperdine interviews author, James Goodhand, about his writing process. James explains how important human psychology is to his books, why inspiration doesn't always equate to quality, and the great advice he got from his childhood drum teacher.James's Instagram is here: https://www.instagram.com/james.goodhand/And you can find more information about previous episodes of this podcast on the following links:https://bsky.app/profile/realwritingpro.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.net/@realwritingprohttps://www.instagram.com/realwritingpro
  1. The Real Writing Process of James Goodhand
  2. The Real Writing Process of Caitlin Rozakis
  3. The Real Writing Process of Mark Stay
  4. The Real Writing Process of Eliza Chan
  5. The Real Writing Process of M. R. Carey

Tracy Buchanan on the Creative Differences Livestream

Join me with bestselling author Tracy Buchanan on the livestream that looks at the little things that make a big differences to writers.

Tracy writes gripping thrillers that delve into the darkest corners of family, psychology and forensic investigation. Her books explore secrets, lies and the dangerous choices people make when pushed to the edge.

And, as a child, she crafted stories using cut-outs from her mum’s Littlewoods catalogues! She also runs one of the best writers’ groups on Facebook and is a brilliant advocate for authors. It’s going to be a really lively one, so pop the date in your diaries now!

TUESDAY 22ND APRIL, 2025, 8PM BST

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

Or on Youtube…