Mark Stay's Creative Differences

By Mark Stay

A monthly podcast where I talk to writer friends about those little things that make a big difference to their craft and careers in the hope that we can give readers some insight to the creative

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FAQs about Mark Stay's Creative Differences:

How many episodes does Mark Stay's Creative Differences have?

The podcast currently has 11 episodes available.

Mark Stay's Creative Differences episodes:

June 19, 2025 Nicola Whyte: THE PERCOLATION | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 11
I had a wonderful time chatting to Nicola Whyte the debut writer of 10 Marchfield Square about how she was inspired by the nooks of London and Douglas Adams's whodunnits. We also discuss planning the middle of a novel, "soft boiled crime", designing author websites, and we get nostalgic about the Ottakars book chain and much, much more!

LINKS
NICOLA'S WEBSITE: http://nicolawhyte.com

PERSON OF INTEREST: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Person_of_Interest_(TV_series)

ALL THE LOST SOULS BY AMIE JORDAN: https://amzn.to/4kY7nVZ

MASSIVE ATTACK AND TONY COLLIER: LIVE WITH ME: https://youtu.be/o_mi7rD-_9c?si=XwCdYrJQ8T9we5Xv

CULTURES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultures_(video_game)

MOTHERING SUNDAY: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothering_Sunday_(film)

ROSALINE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosaline_(film)

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM THEIR FRIENDS BY STUART MACONIE: https://amzn.to/4newlSE

POKER FACE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poker_Face_(TV_series)

THE BOOKS BESIDE MY BED BY PAUL ARMFIELD: https://paularmfield.com/shop/

Mark Stay's Comic Con dates...
PORTSMOUTH – SUNDAY 22ND JUNE
TENTERDEN STEAMPUNK FESTIVAL – SAT 28TH JUNE
BASILDON – SUNDAY 29TH
LFCC FRIDAY 4TH, SAT 5TH, SUN 6TH JULY
MIDLANDS COMIC CON SAT 12TH, SUN 13TH JULY
GUILDFORD SAT 19TH JULY

For more dates in pop over to https://markstaywrites.com/diary-and-appearances/

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/
...more
51min
May 16, 2025 Sarah Pinborough: THE LIES WE TELL | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 10
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...

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

WE LIVE HERE NOW: https://amzn.to/44IfsJg

LAUNCH AT WATERSTONES MILTON KEYNES ON WEDNESDAY 4TH JUNE https://www.waterstones.com/events/an-evening-with-sarah-pinborough/milton-keynes-midsummer-place?

SARAH'S US TOUR: https://us.macmillan.com/tours/sarah-pinborough-we-live-here-now/

MOBLAND: https://www.paramountplus.com/gb/shows/mobland/
THE HANDMAID'S TALE: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-handmaids-tale?
DOPE THIEF: https://tv.apple.com/gb/show/dope-thief/umc.cmc.2prcvu6fnh4bue7d9iaswpsw7
TUBI FOR JACK PALANCE HORROR: https://tubitv.com
YOU KILLED ME FIRST BY JOHN MARRS: https://amzn.to/3SHjZUQ
THE HAMLET BY JOANNA CORRANCE: https://amzn.to/45bwFuI
PAM KOWOLSKI IS A MONSTER BY SARAH LANGHAM: https://amzn.to/4jRtiO2
THE DEVILS BY JOE ABERCROMBIE: https://amzn.to/4djApfE
ANDOR
IT AIN'T ME BY EMILY ZECK: https://youtu.be/hPZcSGCAI9Q?si=pY_Tzxtkf9Dp_Xzl

COME AND MEET MARK AT A COMIC CON https://markstaywrites.com/diary-and-appearances/

Mark Chadbourn on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chadbourn.bsky.social
The Mike Shackle episode: https://markstaycreativedifferences.com/2024/12/02/episode-4-with-mike-shackle/

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

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/
...more
46min
May 03, 2025 Tracy Buchanan: "CELEBRATE THE GOOD STUFF!" | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 9
Tracy Buchanan is the bestselling author of the Dr Vanessa Marwood thrillers and she runs one of the best author groups on Facebook and is a brilliant advocate for authors.

We discuss:
Which comes first: research or plot?
If authors can still earn a living from writing
Growing maggots for research purposes
And much more!

My apologies for the quality of my mic for this episode. I had a dodgy connection and sound a wee bit toppy!

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

LINKS
TRACY'S WEBSITE: www.tracy-buchanan.com
THE SAVVY WRITERS' SNUG FB GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/savvywriterssnug/

KINGDOM COME DELIVERANCE 2: https://kingdomcomerpg.com/
ASSASSIN'S CREED SHADOWS: https://www.ubisoft.com/en-gb/game/assassins-creed/shadows
LANA DEL RAY: https://youtu.be/nDYY3nJ7a0s?si=CWI1sTc_iFAnErWq
CARELESS PEOPLE BY SARA WYNN-WILLIAMS: https://amzn.to/4lYWT9J (Amazon affiliate link: I earn money if you click/buy using this)
SUPREMACY BY PARMY OLSEN: https://amzn.to/4lUgrfn (Amazon affiliate link: I earn money if you click/buy using this)
CONCLAVE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conclave_(film)
THE LAST OF US: https://www.hbo.com/the-last-of-us
ANDOR: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andor_(TV_series)
WRITING FOR LOVE AND/OR MONEY BY FRANK D GILROY: https://amzn.to/42VdzWT
SAMANTHA FISH, SWEET SOUTHERN SOUNDS: https://youtu.be/3rhUFAdfEjA?si=tuzMbqt3YwOxREmX

THE BESTSELLER EXPERIMENT EPISODE WITH ENTERTAINMENT LAWYERS ON COPYRIGHT/LYRICS ETC: https://bestsellerexperiment.com/ep32-legal-eagles/

COME AND MEET MARK STAY IN MAY 2025 AT:
MAIDSTONE 4TH MAY: https://www.creedconventions.com/event/maidstone-comic-con/
BEYOND THE BOOK FESTIVAL, BRIGHTON: https://www.beyondthebookfestival.org
READING 11TH MAY: https://www.creedconventions.com/event/reading-comic-con/
TONBRIDGE 18TH MAY: https://strikingevents.com/tonbridge/
MCM COMIC CON LONDON 23-25 MAY: https://www.mcmcomiccon.com/london/en-us/guests/guest-profile.html?gtID=362260&guest-name=Mark-Stay
HATFIELD 31ST MAY: https://strikingevents.com/hatfield/
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/
...more
36min
April 05, 2025 Nadine Matheson: "THROW EVERYTHING AT IT!" | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 8
Nadine Matheson is the bestselling author of the DI Henley crime thrillers and presenter of the Conversation Podcast.

We discuss:
Writing as a planner
Nadine's great tip for finishing first drafts
Why not reading the small print was great for her career
We have a fun rant about META and book piracy
And much more!

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

LINKS
NADINE'S WEBSITE: https://www.nadinematheson.com
THE KILL LIST: https://www.nadinematheson.com/books/
THE CONVERSATION WITH NADINE MATHESON PODCAST: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2085770
NADINE'S HURRICANE BERYL VIDEO: https://youtu.be/C-Ni1jsC5ek?si=vsj1JbYBS4m6zBKo
NADINE'S INSTAGRAM (for sunrises!): https://www.instagram.com/queennads/

THE ATLANTIC ARTICLE ON META & BOOK PIRACY: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/03/libgen-meta-openai/682093/
THE APPLE NEWS EDITION OF THE SAME STORY: https://apple.news/AiV51zQuQRiybWkFxjdjxsA

THE GREEN ROOM: https://ko-fi.com/markstaywriter/tiers

INDIANA JONES AND THE GREAT CIRCLE: https://indianajones.bethesda.net/
TOP CHEF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Chef
HOMICIDE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homicide:_Life_on_the_Street
THE STUDIO: https://tv.apple.com/gb/show/the-studio/umc.cmc.7518algxc4lsoobtsx30dqb52
CLASSIC FM MOVIES: https://www.classicfm.com/movies/

COME AND MEET MARK STAY IN APRIL 2025 AT:
HERNE BAY: https://www.phaserevents.co.uk/events/
MAIDENHEAD: https://www.bolt-events.com/maidenhead-comic-con
LUTON: https://www.bolt-events.com/luton-comic-con
FORT AMHERST: https://www.facebook.com/events/1289732272462565
BANBURY: https://www.bolt-events.com/banbury-comic-con
SOUTHAMPTON: https://www.creedconventions.com/event/southampton-comic-con/
BEYOND THE BOOK FESTIVAL, BRIGHTON: https://www.beyondthebookfestival.org

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/
...more
55min
March 02, 2025 Gareth L Powell: Future's Edge | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 7
Award-winning author Gareth L Powell takes us into the future with his latest science fiction novel Future's Edge.

We discuss:
Writing SF in an era when fact is in danger of overtaking fiction
Running the Stars and Sabers imprint with Jendia Gammon
Why most authors now need a second job
The importance of tea in the creative process
And much more!

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

LINKS
GARETH'S BOOKS: https://www.garethlpowell.com
STARS AND SABERS PUBLISHING: https://www.starsandsabers.com

UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_basic_income

THE USBORN BOOK OF THE FUTURE: https://amzn.to/41Er51Y
SHOW YOUR WORK BY AUSTIN KLEON: https://amzn.to/4h7PS2T
ON WRITING BY STEPHEN KING: https://amzn.to/4h7PS2T
DANSE MACABRE BY STEPHEN KING: https://amzn.to/41lkYyc
THE ORGANISED WRITER BY ANTONY JOHNSON: https://amzn.to/3F3dqse
THERE ARE RIVERS IN THE SKY BY ELIF SHAFAK: https://amzn.to/4inEGQw
SUTEJ SINGH, NANDINI SRIKAR: KAADAMBARI: https://sutejsingh.com/music-kaadambari
MYTHIC QUEST: https://tv.apple.com/gb/show/mythic-quest/umc.cmc.1nfdfd5zlk05fo1bwwetzldy3
BEST POSSIBLE PLACE, WORST POSSIBLE TIME BY BARRY SONNENFELD: https://amzn.to/4bkiEMt
FILM STORIES PODCAST: https://filmstories.co.uk/podcast-page/episodes/
FLINT IN THE BONES KICKSTARTER: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flint-in-the-bones/flint-in-the-bones

COME AND MEET MARK STAY AT:
CRAWLEY COMIC CON ON 8TH MARCH: https://strikingevents.com/crawley/
PETERBOROUGH COMIC CON ON 9TH MARCH: https://strikingevents.com/peterborough/
MILTON KEYNES MEGA COMIC CON ON 22ND MARCH: https://strikingevents.com/milton-keynes-mega-comic-con/
BOURNEMOUTH COMIC CON ON 23RD MARCH: https://strikingevents.com/milton-keynes-mega-comic-con/

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/
...more
52min
February 05, 2025 Nicola May: "Persistence over Resistance" | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 6
Nicola May is the author of heartwarming and funny romantic comedies, including the hugely successful Ferry Lane and Cockleberry Bay series, she’s a great champion for indie authors and she’s here to kick off 2025 with another bestseller ‘How Do I Tell You?’

We discuss:
Tips for writing romcoms
The key differences between self publishing, traditional publishing and digital-first publishers
Balancing serious themes with heartwarming fiction
And much more!

LINKS

Nicola's website: https://www.nicolamay.com
The Green Room: https://ko-fi.com/markstaywriter/tiers
Kinky Boots Musical UK Tour 2025: https://youtu.be/Qk140ZLNSU8?si=Uq7OY_irrADdHD7I
Rivals: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivals_(TV_series)
Paul Mescal in A Streetcar Named Desire: https://www.thephoenixtheatre.co.uk/shows/a-streetcar-named-desire
Katherine Priddy and Simon Armitage: https://youtu.be/H4OxfhUCggU?si=h7ysPElUCMr4hx2m
Julian Barr's Worldbreaker: https://books2read.com/u/brjRLZ
American Primeval: https://www.netflix.com/title/81457507

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

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/
...more
40min
December 12, 2024GB Ralph "Share the Excitement!" | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 5
In this special festive edition of the podcast I welcome GB Ralph, author of the cozy Milverton Mysteries series!
We discuss:
Slow burn romance
Writing in scenes and converting them to chapters
Chapter word count analysis (it gets nerdy!)
Tips for book launches
Tips for writing on your commute and how Gavin wrote his debut novel on his phone
What he learned from switching from romcoms to cozy mysteries
How he uses deadlines to motivate his writing
And the importance of narrators for audiobooks
LINKS
GB Ralph's website
Everyone this Christmas has a Secret by Ernest Cunningham
The Holly King by Mark Stay
Only Murders in the Building
Arcane
Mini Metro game
Allie X Last Christmas
Altego Music's Wham/Chappel Roan mash-up
The Penguin
Beyond the Throne by Kristian Nairn
Rosalie Cunningham, To Shoot Another Day
December will be Magic Again by Kate Bush
Christmas at the Airport by Nick Lowe

Edit by Kai Newton
Production assistance by Emily Stay
Jingle by Dom Currie
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/
...more
55min
December 02, 2024 Mike Shackle and the Squeaky Toy of Doom | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 4
I'm joined by Mike Shackle, author of the epic LAST WAR fantasy trilogy, and he also writes thrillers under the name Michael Dylan: we talk about the perils of writing epic fantasy when publishers are imposing word limits, the pros and cons of self publishing and traditional publishing, writing cop thriller fiction, setting a mission statement for each book, and Michael creating his own artwork!
And we're also joined by Buddy. Who has a squeaky toy that has an urgent message for the world...

LINKS

THE LAST WAR TRILOGY
THE WITCHFINDER CHRONICLES
MICHAEL DYLAN'S DI SIMON WISE THRILLERS
MIKE SHACKLE'S ART
REBECCA MILLAR EDITORIAL
ANDREW CHAPMAN (REMEMBER HIS NAME)
PRIMAL SCREAM: COME AHEAD
FURY OF THE GODS BY JOHN GWYNNE
DAY OF THE JACKAL ON SKY UK
NAUTILUS on Amazon Prime UK
THE PALIN DIARIES 1999-2009
BOBBY DAZZLE

Edit by Kai Newton
Production assistance by Emily Stay
Jingle by Dom Currie
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/
...more
37min
November 04, 2024 Zoë Richards: Rethinking Resilience for Writers | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 3
Zoë is the author of Garden of Her Heart, and host of the podcast, Write Damn It! An experienced coach with more than 35 years working on mindset, Zoë shares a ton of practical advice for writers including how to deal with self-doubt and rejection.

WE DISCUSS...

How stand up comedy helped Zoë's writing
How to rethink your attitude to resilience
Great tips for writing a synopsis
Writers' flow and getting started each day
Building characters using their childhood trauma
How to get people to show up at book events, and much more...

LINKS

Some of the following are affiliate links and may earn me commission...

GARDEN OF HER HEART

WRITE, DAMN IT! PODCAST

ZOË'S WEBSITE

SLOW HORSES ON APPLE+

HISTORY HITS WITH DAN SNOW

THE EXAMINER

TIMESTALKER

AFTER THE STORM BY GD WRIGHT

THE MOON'S A BALLOON BY DAVID NIVEN

BOA: WHIPLASH

MY BOOKS

THE GREEN ROOM

ME IN CONVERSATION WITH BEN AARONOVITCH AT OXTED LIBRARY

Thanks to: Emily Stay for production assistance, Kai Newton for the edit & 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/
...more
1h 1min
September 22, 2024 LJ Shepherd and the Trails of Lila Dalton | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 2
My special guest on the podcast this month is LJ Shepherd, author of the stunning debut novel The Trials of Lila Dalton. We discuss first lines and opening pages, the benefits of attending festivals, the book that inspired her to choose her agent, and we get sneak peek into the notebook where she first jotted down her ideas for the novel that would become her debut. Oh, and her cat Coral pops in to say hello...

LINKS

Some of the following are affiliate links and may earn me commission...

THE TRIALS OF LILA DALTON

HOPE I GET OLD BEFORE I DIE by DAVID HEPWORTH

A GOD IN RUINS by KATE ATKINSON

THE WATCHMAKER OF FILIGREE STREET by NATASHA PULLEY

A TRIAL IN THREE ACTS by GUY MORPUSS

SCENES FROM A TRAGEDY by CAROLE HAILEY

THE CHILTERN KILLS CRIME FESTIVAL

THE HANDMAID'S TALE

THREE BODY PROBLEM ON NETFLIX

SLOW HORSES ON APPLE+

BAD MONKEY ON APPLE+

DAVID GILMOUR'S LUCK AND STRANGE

Thanks to:
Emily Stay for production assistance
Kai Newton for the edit
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/
...more
48min

FAQs about Mark Stay's Creative Differences:

How many episodes does Mark Stay's Creative Differences have?

The podcast currently has 11 episodes available.