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/