The Bestseller Experiment

Latest Episodes:

EP331: Mick Finlay — Psychology, Murder & The Writer Aug 08, 2021

Show notes

Mick Finlay is the author of the Arrowood series of crime novels set in 1890s London, and in his latest book Arrowood and the Meeting House Murders, he explores the dark side of human psychology, and tells us how teaching psychology has helped him as a writer. And this week’s digression from the Two Marks is on the joys of car boot sales and Beanie Babies. Join the Bestseller Academy: https://academy.bestsellerexperiment.com

EP330: Matthew Ralph — Celebrating Diversity Aug 01, 2021

Show notes

Matthew Ralph is best-selling children’s author whose books celebrate diversity and inclusivity. Matthew takes us through his extraordinary career that started with an idea in an airport to his latest book Family Means, which evolved from the close connection he has with his readers. Matthew gives us tips on marketing, and shares his dream to create a community for his readers. The Two Marks also digress about the mysteries of books in airports. Join the Bestseller Academy: https://academy.bestsellerexperiment.com

EP329: Nicola May — You Have To Be Persistent Jul 25, 2021

Show notes

RJ McBrien’s career as a screenwriter saw him writing for Spooks, Wallander and The Bill, and now he’s delivered his debut novel Reckless, a page-turning thriller of marriage and betrayal. He takes us through the lessons he’s learned in the transition from scripts to novels, why doing something every day is essential, and how to tackle the “then what?” phase of writing. Join the Bestseller Academy: https://academy.bestsellerexperiment.com

EP328: RJ MCBRIEN — Let The Subconscious Take Control Jul 18, 2021

Show notes

EP327: Adam Simcox — A Leisurely Stroll, Barefoot Over Broken Glass Jul 11, 2021

Show notes

Adam Simcox is a filmmaker whose debut novel The Dying Squad is published by Gollancz. Adam takes us through his journey to publication — “A leisurely stroll barefoot over broken glass for twenty years” — and we discuss writing for the screen and novels, mood boards, writing to music, commissioning reader reports, self-belief, and writing with your significant other (his partner Kirsty Eyre has already been a guest on the podcast). Join the Bestseller Academy: https://academy.bestsellerexperiment.com

EP326: Deep Dive — Book Launches with Sara Cox Jul 06, 2021

Show notes

Mark Stay is joined by Sara Cox — who helped him launch his novel The Crow Folk earlier this year — to answer listener questions on Book Launches, including… how far should you plan ahead, the different types of launches, the pre-launch essentials, post-launch best practice and much, much more. Our novel Back To Reality is out now bestsellerexperiment.com/backtoreality

EP325: Sue Teddern — A Story Is A Story, However You Tell it Jul 04, 2021

Show notes

Sue Teddern has written for TV and radio and now she’s written her debut novel, Anne Stanley All At Sea. Sue takes us through her extraordinary career, with great insight into writing for TV and radio. We also discuss some great British Institutions, including The Archers, the Shipping Forecast and Birds of a Feather. Join the Bestseller Academy: https://academy.bestsellerexperiment.com

EP324: Deep Dive — Writing Horror with Adam Nevill Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

Award-winning horror author Adam Nevill answers our listener questions on setting the mood, balancing gore and terror to find the right tone, research into the supernormal, getting into the minds of perpetrators of evil, the biggest lessons he has learned in his extraordinary career, how screenwriting has helped his novel writing, and how he’s conditioned himself to write in any place at any time . This is an essential listen for authors of all genres. Our novel Back To Reality is out now bestsellerexperiment.com/backtoreality

EP323: Nicole Kennedy — Perfection Takes Time Jun 27, 2021

Show notes

We always love it when one of our listeners is published, but Nicole Kennedy’s debut novel Everything’s Perfect had a rocky road to publication. Nicole takes us through a tumultuous time in her family’s life, and why it was so important for her to carve out time for writing. Join the Bestseller Academy: https://academy.bestsellerexperiment.com

EP322: Joe Thomas — Balancing Exposition and Realism Jun 21, 2021

Show notes

With his new novel Brazilian Psycho, author Joe Thomas completes the São Paulo Quartet, a series that evolved from his ten years living in the city. Joe tells us how living in the setting of his books gave him an insight into a tangled web of crime and corruption to create vivid and engaging fiction. He tells us how an unpublished novel with multiple strands and characters helped give him focus for the series. The two Marks also discuss narrative voice and how an author’s voice develops over time, and Mr D has some top tips for bullet journals. Join the Bestseller Academy: https://academy.bestsellerexperiment.com

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