Mark Stay's Creative Differences
Episodes
Karen Storey: I Get This Build Up of Excitement | Mark Stay's Creative Differences ep23
05 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Kathleen Whyman: Bring Your Imagination | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Ep22
03 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Kathleen Whyman, author of the MOTHER OF ALL COMEBACKS, reveals how her brilliantly funny novels are a combination of real life, invention and her ima...
Julie Wassmer: Libraries have a Special Meaning for me | Creative Differences LIVE
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
I speak to Julie Wassmer, author of the Whitstable Pearl Mysteries and screenwriter on shows like Eastenders in a special episode, recorded LIVE at th...
Jeremy Szal: I Grew Up With The Book | Mark Stay's Creative Differences ep20
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremy Szal tells us how he has grown as a writer while creating the Common Trilogy, an epic space opera with 'messy, difficult emotional conflic...
Ellis Blackwood: I Hate Plotting | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Ep19
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Caimh McDonnell: Notice When You're Doing Your Best Writing | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Ep 18
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Gavin G Smith: Know Your Own Worth | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 17
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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:Writ...
Jeevani Charika: Doing Funky Things | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 16
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeevani Charika writes award nominated romantic women’s fiction and romcoms. She’s written books on how to write romcoms, and sustaining a career ...
Pernille Hughes: Lock Yourself in a Room | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 15
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pernille Hughes is the author of TEN YEARS, PROBABLY THE BEST KISS IN THE WORLD and PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE; novels brimming with warmth, wit and unforgettab...
Lucy Strange: How Scary is too Scary? | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 14
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lucy Strange is an award-winning children’s author whose books feel like classic children’s literature, but are written in a style that is engagin...
GD Wright: A Weird Way of Getting Published. | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 13
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
GD Wright is the author of the bestselling AFTER THE STORM and INTO THE FIRE, and he’s genuinely one of the nicest guys in the business with an extr...
Rowan Coleman: WHAT WOULD CHARLOTTE BRONTË DO? | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 12
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling and award-winning author Rowan Coleman joined me to discuss her new book Never Tear Us Apart, revealing how a family photo inspired her to...
Nicola Whyte: THE PERCOLATION | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 11
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Sarah Pinborough: THE LIES WE TELL | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 10
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Tracy Buchanan: "CELEBRATE THE GOOD STUFF!" | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 9
03 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Nadine Matheson: "THROW EVERYTHING AT IT!" | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 8
05 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nadine Matheson is the bestselling author of the DI Henley crime thrillers and presenter of the Conversation Podcast.We discuss: Writing as a planner...
Gareth L Powell: Future's Edge | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 7
02 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 er...
Nicola May: "Persistence over Resistance" | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 6
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nicola May is the author of heartwarming and funny romantic comedies, including the hugely successful Ferry Lane and Cockleberry Bay series, she’s a...
GB Ralph "Share the Excitement!" | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 5
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this special festive edition of the podcast I welcome GB Ralph, author of the cozy Milverton Mysteries series!We discuss:Slow burn romanceWriting i...
Mike Shackle and the Squeaky Toy of Doom | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 4
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Zoë Richards: Rethinking Resilience for Writers | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 3
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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, Zo...
LJ Shepherd and the Trails of Lila Dalton | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 2
22 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 op...
SC Gowland and the Law of Consequences | Mark Stay's Creative Differences Episode 1
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the first episode of Creative Differences with my special guest SC Gowland. We discuss curating the short story anthology The Law of Conseq...