We are delighted to welcome worldwide bestseller Michael Connelly back to the podcast to discuss his new novel The Dark Hours, which explores an LA scarred by fear and social unrest. Michael reflects on how the world of Harry Bosch has grown over an incredible thirty years, and he answers our listener questions of writing habits, outlining and much, much more.

We celebrate international bestselling fantasy writer Joe Abercrombie’s return to the podcast with The Wisdom of Crowds, which brings his Age of Madness trilogy to a thrilling climax. As always, Joe is a treasure trove of amazing advice for writers and he answers our listener questions on outlining, symmetry, POV and much more. We also ask him if he still dances naked in the rain… and his answer might surprise you.

Hollywood actor Richard Armitage is best known as Thorin in The Hobbit, appearances in Ocean’s 8, Captain America and the seventh most viewed Netflix show - Harlan Coben’s ‘Fool Me Once’. Richard also starred in shows including Obsession, Red Eye, Spooks, Robin Hood and North & South, as lead John Thornton. As a seasoned audiobook narrator, we talk with Richard about his second novel The Cut, as well as The Hobbit, how he sets life-changing goals and so much more.

Digital-first publisher Bookouture are now applying their publishing model to science fiction and fantasy with their new imprint Second Sky. We speak to consultant associate publisher Jack Renninson who tells us what Second Sky is looking for, and he answers our listener questions on submissions, pitching to Second Sky, and what’s to come in the near future.

Bestselling author Peter May returns to the podcast with his gripping new novel A Winter Grave, a near future thriller where climate change has changed the landscape. Peter talks about coming out of retirement to write without a contract or a deadline, but with passion and a sense of urgency. Mark Stay is joined this week by guest presenter Caimh McDonnell, bestselling author of the Bunny McGarry series and the Stranger Times books, including Love Will Tear Us Apart.

Director Jon Wright joins Mark Stay to answer listener questions on the development of their new monster movie Unwelcome. They reveal what inspired them to write the script, how the story was developed (and was very early abandoned), how Jon blocks and shoots sequences and works with the cast and crew, they offer tips for screenwriters, and they start by discussing, er, chocolate bars. 

Lou Abercrombie worked in TV and film production and as a photographer, and a few years ago started writing children’s books combining her passion for swimming and mathematics. Her debut novel FIG SWIMS THE WORLD, was longlisted for the Bath Children’s Award, and her new book AMAZING MATHS makes the subject of mathematics accessible in a way that we wish was around when we were at school. Lou reveals how water solves her story problems and how she’s helped by a waterproof notebook...

Matt Cain endured rejections from thirty agents and fifty publishers before getting his debut novel published… and then it didn’t work out. Matt tells us how he made an extraordinary comeback, breaking crowdfunding records with The Madonna of Bolton, having a smash with The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, and now he’s back with Becoming Ted, his latest heartwarming novel about following your dreams.

Cole Haddon is an Australian-American screenwriter and novelist whose first TV commission, Dracula, was produced by NBC and SKY and starred Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Psalms for the End of the World is his debut novel and Cole tells us how he was inspired by looking into the eyes of one of his young children, why he’s happy to fail, how he deals with notes, and he gives us tips for writing scripts and graphic novels.

Christian Cameron is an incredibly prolific writer and military historian who also writes as Miles Cameron. His new novel as Miles is Against All Gods, an epic set in the Bronze Age that gives a new twist to familiar myths and legends. Christian tells how he learned to write without doubting himself, how historical recreation has helped with research, and why there are no minor characters.

The Two Marks don their terrible Christmas sweaters and hats to celebrate the festive season and look forward to 2023. Mark Stay tests Mr D with a super-duper mega quiz, we discover that Americans don’t have Christmas crackers, we reveal where Santa comes from, tell terrible jokes, and we discuss taking stock and setting goals for 2023… and much more!

In 1983 Margaret Weis took on a job as a book editor at TSR, producers of the Dungeons and Dragons® role-playing game. Little did she know that the DRAGONLANCE® series she created with Tracy Hickman would go on to sell over 25 million copies and still be in print after almost 30 years. And now they’re back with a new trilogy! Margaret tells us about her incredible career, the three tips that Gary Paulsen gave her, she answers our listener questions and shares the words of encouragement that kept her going when she got her first rejections.

Kim Bretton is an actor and has worked in theatre, TV and film, but these days she’s found great success producing and narrating audiobooks in Nashville. We talk to Kim about her career shift into audiobooks and the spooky connection she had with Back to Reality.

SJ Bennett had a successful career writing award-winning books for teenagers, but after a change in the market and a life-changing diagnosis, she decided to completely change tack and began a brand new crime series, Her Majesty the Queen Investigates, which became an international smash, selling over 100,000 copies. With the latest book in the series, Murder Most Royal, Sophia reveals what inspired her to make Queen Elizabeth II her crime-solving protagonist, and how real life events might affect the series’ future.

Louise Willder has been a copywriter at Penguin Books for twenty-five years. During this time, she estimates she has produced about 5,000 blurbs. She now shares her knowledge and experience in her amazing new book, Blurb Your Enthusiasm, which looks at the evolution of blurbs. In this Deep Dive, Louise shares incredibly helpful tips for writing your own and answers our listener questions on blurbs, word count, blurbs for series, multiple POVs and more!

Harriet Tyce tells us about her brilliant new thriller It Ends at Midnight, how the amazing reception to her debut Blood Orange made her wonder if she could do it again, and how she gets herself into trouble by trying to outdo what she’s written before.

And in the extended version for Academy members and podcast Patrons, the Two Marks discuss the halo effect, difficult second novels, going too far, changing your mindset and much more!

And in the extended version for Patreons and Academates, the two Marks discuss defining success, filtering feedback, authenticity, the doubt train and much more!

Dr Devin Finaughty is a lecturer in forensic science the University of Kent, Chandra Finaughty has two Masters specialising in forensics and a teaching fellow at King’s College, London. They answer questions from our Patrons and Academates on forensics in fiction, including the CSI effect, working a crime scene, and essential resources for writers and research.

Ed McDonald returns to the podcast with a new fantasy series, The Redwinter Chronicles, and we discuss how the fantasy genre has changed in the short time since we last spoke. Ed also discusses a life-threatening illness that has given him a new perspective on his writing.

And in the extended version for Patreons and Academates, the two Marks discuss false starts, deleting work and starting over, ideas versus theme, and much more!

What better way to celebrate our 400th episode than by speaking to some of our longtime listeners and members of the Bestseller Academy who have faced their greatest writing challenges and come through the other side

The two Marks celebrate six years of the podcast by giving their listeners a peek behind the scenes to see how a weekly podcast is made, and our editors Dave and JD offer tips for anyone who’s thinking of starting their own podcast, and they spill the beans on what doesn’t make it into the show.

Aggie Blum Thompson sent us an email in 2019 detailing her dream to see her book on a table in a bookstore. Aggie’s second novel, ALL THE DIRTY SECRETS, is out now and she tells us how she made that dream a reality. This is a hugely entertaining interview and Aggie reveals how she bounced back when things didn’t turn out as planned.

What better way to celebrate our 400th episode than by speaking to some of our longtime listeners and members of the Bestseller Academy who have faced their greatest writing challenges and come through the other side.

We discuss one of the most important topics we’ve ever covered: writers and their mental health. With questions from our live studio audience we share our experiences of loneliness, anxiety, self-doubt and support.

Christopher Abbott is the award-winning author of the Watson Chronicles, a continuation of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Christopher tells us how he's worked to retain the authenticity of Conan Doyle's style, and what he’s learned about crafting a mystery.

Lisa Regan is the USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Detective Josie Quinn series, and this year sees the publication of books 14 & 15: Watch Her Disappear and Local Girl Missing. But it all started when she wrote her first mystery when she was 11-years-old. Lisa tells us how her father’s words have kept her going through years of rejection, and Lisa shares what she wishes she had known when she started out writing such a successful series. And the two Marks announce a live show to celebrate 400 episodes of the podcast!

Lizzy Barber’s critically acclaimed debut novel My Name is Anna won the Daily Mail First Novel competition, and her latest thriller Out of Her Depth is a Richard and Judy book club selection. Lizzy's journey has taken her from winning a Disney writing competition when she was ten, to the Royal Shakespeare Company, to one of the must-read books of the summer. And Mr Stay takes delivery of his new book and gives it a sniff.

Angela Marsons’ first novel Silent Scream was rejected by every major UK publisher, but she never gave up and now she’s sold an incredible three million copies and counting. Her story is incredible and inspirational and she may just be the loveliest author we’ve ever interviewed…