Karen Storey, award-winning author of the brilliant debut novel THE APPROVAL OF SHEEP, reveals how her stories let her know when they're ready to be written.

WE DISCUSS:
A brilliant tip for writing award-winning short stories
Why you need to get a website and newsletter right now
And why her cat gets more fan mail that she does...

And much more!

LINKS
Karen's website: https://karenstoreyauthor.com
The Law of Consequences short story collection: https://books2read.com/b/mvzrW2
Quite Ugly One Morning (I earn commission if you purchase using this link): https://amzn.to/3OMLiit
Raye: https://rayeofficial.com

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/

Kathleen Whyman, author of the MOTHER OF ALL COMEBACKS, reveals how her brilliantly funny novels are a combination of real life, invention and her imagination...

WE DISCUSS:
Receiving her first publisher rejection, aged 10!
How an encounter in the loo led to her debut
Balancing writing with marketing and PR...
And much more!

LINKS
Kathleen's website

Kathleen's Unboxing Video
The Julie Wassmer episode

The Amazon links below are affiliate links and I earn commission if you buy with them...
Zippo by Richard Cave
Shrinking
The Other Bennet Sister
Don't Make Me Laugh by Julia Raeside
Pixie by Jill Dawson
Qualityland by Marc-Uwe Kling
Katherine Priddy, These Frightening Machines

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/

I speak to Julie Wassmer, author of the Whitstable Pearl Mysteries and screenwriter on shows like Eastenders in a special episode, recorded LIVE at the Staines Library Hub as part of the Escalate Arts Festival.

We Discuss:
How Julie's TV experience affected the Whitstable Pearl Mysteries
Using dictation and writing by hand
The role that libraries played in Julie's writing journey
And much more!
(And there's a lovely bit with some horsies)

LINKS
https://juliewassmer.com

A huge thanks to Emily Stay-Newton for production assistance, to Kai Stay-Newton for the edit, and Dominic Currie for the jingle.

And a very special thank you to the team at the Staines Library Hub, Susan Dinmore at Surrey Arts and everyone who came to the recording on the day.

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/

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/

Jeremy Szal tells us how he has grown as a writer while creating the Common Trilogy, an epic space opera with 'messy, difficult emotional conflicts'.

WE ALSO DISCUSS:

Tips for writing short stories
And his experiences of Worldcon in China
And much more!

LINKS:

Jeremy's website: https://jeremyszal.com
Tickets for the live show with Julie Wassmer: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/escalate-arts-literature-festival-mark-stays-creative-differences-podcast-tickets-1980991706521?


Ghost of Yotei: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_of_Yōtei
Stardew Valley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stardew_Valley
Attack on Titan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Titan_(TV_series)
Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Knight_of_the_Seven_Kingdoms_(TV_series)
Marty Supreme: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marty_Supreme
Avatar: Fire and Ash: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar:_Fire_and_Ash
Eyes of the Void by Adrian Tchaikovsky: https://amzn.to/3N6BcYI (this is an affiliate link and I can earn commission if you use it)
Strength of the Few by James Islington: https://amzn.to/4ue7cLo (this is an affiliate link and I can earn commission if you use it)
Beastars (manga): https://amzn.to/4uh3xMX (this is an affiliate link and I can earn commission if you use it)
Mono (band): https://www.monoofjapan.com
Sigur Ros (band) https://sigurros.com
Oasis (band): https://www.oasisinet.com
Small Prophets: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_Prophets
Spectators by Brian K Vaughan and artist Niko Henrichon: https://okcomics.co.uk/products/spectators-hardcover-by-brian-k-vaughan-and-niko-henrichon

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/

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/

Ellis Blackwood is the author of the brilliant Samuel Pepys Mysteries and had a previous career writing about his love of Doctor Who, David Bowie and once made a very strange video with me on Youtube (we were young and needed the money)...

WE ALSO DISCUSS...

Rapid Publishing & Series arcs

Historical accuracy versus story

And why he hates plotting (but does it anyway)...

LINKS

Ellis Blackwood's books: https://ellisblackwood.com/

Dalek, I Loved You: https://youtu.be/fdV_EAU9UiU?si=-rWkwoUcejAO2hoU

Plottr: https://plottr.com/

The End of Gods Unboxing Video: https://youtu.be/wxNBVxpn2_A

Shire Books: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/series/shire-library/

The Traitors: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Traitors_(British_TV_series)

Ski Sunday: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006v8fc

The Winter Olympics: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026

Public Service Broadcasting: https://www.publicservicebroadcasting.net/

Ben Elton (this is an affiliate link, so I earn money if you buy using this)

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/

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!

LINKS
Caimh's website: https://whitehairedirishman.com

Joe Abercrombie backlist: https://joeabercrombie.com
Down Cemetery Road: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_Cemetery_Road
Raye: Where is my husband? https://youtu.be/rK5TyISxZ_M?si=MrCHrv-qT5utGNGp
Scriptnotes book: https://scriptnotesbook.com
Death by Lightning: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_by_Lightning
Wish You Were Here 50th Anniversary: https://youtu.be/K6qj09OHvjw?si=yy0U7jHlvzIDqUgu

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 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

LINKS
Gavin's website: https://www.gavingsmith.com/
Pre-Order The End of Gods paperback: https://witchesofwoodville.com/product/the-end-of-gods-paperback/
Mark's comic con playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo_4ntDELMUt20rTdaXBuENcRk5y4wtQX&si=--4DAUYlIHdEYzR1

WHAT'S GIVING US JOY
Baldur’s Gate 3: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldur%27s_Gate_3
Where Eagles Dare: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_Eagles_Dare
Bond: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Your_Eyes_Only_(film)
Paddington: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddington_(film)
The Holiday: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holiday
Die Hard: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Hard
Young Sherlock Holmes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Sherlock_Holmes
Roofworld: (I earn commission if you buy via this link) https://amzn.to/4aloBKv
The Holly King by Kate Rusby: https://youtu.be/cGHkq2rE57M?si=9L2x-1S4FmVo0Rjb
The Holdovers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holdovers
The Beatles Anthology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles_Anthology_(TV_series)


A huge thanks to Emily Stay-Newton for production assistance, to Kai Stay-Newton for the edit, and Dominic Currie for the va-jingle.

Support the show:

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/

Jeevani Charika writes award nominated romantic women’s fiction and romcoms. She’s written books on how to write romcoms, and sustaining a career as a writer and she also has an amazing YouTube channel teaching authors how to use Canva to make marketing graphics Her latest book How Can I Resist You is out now!

We Discuss:

• What she's learned from her love of Korean dramas
• How 'writing tighter' has been good for her prose style
• How oversleeping led to a breakthrough in her career
• Why she enjoys doing funky things with Canva and much more...

LINKS
Jeevani's website: www.rhodabaxter.com
Jeevani's Canva Tips Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/@jeevanicharika
Jeevani's Substack: https://substack.com/@canvatips4author

What's Giving Us Joy...

A Merry Little Ex-mas (Netflix): https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81735104
T Kingfisher's books with the Paladins (I earn commission if you click on this link): https://amzn.to/49ZV358
A Mind of My Own, Kathy Burke (I earn commission if you click on this link): https://amzn.to/4ovrNGJ
Cole Haddon’s 5am Storytalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com
50 Years of Shit Robots: https://shows.acast.com/fifty-years-of-shit-robots
Film Stories: https://filmstories.co.uk/category/podcast/
Pluribus: https://tv.apple.com/gb/show/pluribus/umc.cmc.37axgovs2yozlyh3c2cmwzlza

A huge thanks to Emily for production assistance, to Kai 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/

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/