Author Archives: Mark Hayes

About Mark Hayes

Writer A messy, complicated sort of entity. Quantum Pagan. Occasional weregoth Knows where his spoon is, do you? #author #steampunk http://linktr.ee/mark_hayes

Jessica Law

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Mark Hayes

A well thought out piece by Jessica law about her patreon, which I am sharing because I mentioned her patreon in a previous post. I mean I also liked it which is more than she did with my post, honestly, … Continue reading →

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Patronising Miss Law

Posted on July 1, 2024 by Mark Hayes

Occasionally, I wonder if regular readers of these witterings wonder if I could just once in a while stay on topic… What when it comes down to it is this blog for. Oh sure I talk about writing a lot, … Continue reading →

Posted in big questions, music, music, opinion, reads, writing music | Tagged art, music, patreon, writer | 1 Comment

Men in Dark Tweed #10

Posted on June 28, 2024 by Mark Hayes

The Men in Dark Tweed were created on a whim while I was working on my current WIP novel, a Victorian Urban Fantasy entitled ’Lucifer Mandrake and the Hanoverian Proxy’ The new, somewhat nefarious Home Secretary sets up a plain clothes … Continue reading →

Posted in books, fiction, Harvey Duckman, humour, indie writers, men in dark tweed, reads, sci-fi, steampunk, writes | Tagged amreading, art, books, men in dark tweed, photography, poetry, reads, sciencefiction, steampunk, travel, writerslife, writing | Leave a comment

Folly and Madness

Posted on June 25, 2024 by Mark Hayes

A month ago, in the early dawn light, on the banks of the river Tees a small group of writers, readers, and bibliophiles stood shivering in the mist as it rose off the water, into the fridge air. A profound … Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, amwriting, books, fantasy, fiction, Hannibal Smyth, Harvey Duckman, indie, indie writers, men in dark tweed, steampunk | Tagged amreading, books, fantasy, fiction, Hannibal Smyth, Harvey Duckman, steampunk, writers, writing | Leave a comment

Beguiling darkness: Tethered

Posted on June 21, 2024 by Mark Hayes

In the distant past before the lost years and the breaking of the world, in a younger less cynical time, I was sent a manuscript to read. This was about four years ( three atrocious prime ministers and one pandemic) … Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, book reviews, fantasy, indie novels, indie writers, steampunk | Tagged amreading, book reviews, book-review, books, fantasy, fiction, reads, sciencefiction, steampunk | 2 Comments

A writers solstice

Posted on June 20, 2024 by Mark Hayes

I have always been fond of the above quote. It comes form Stephen King’s memoir/guide to the craft of writing, On Writing . A book I recommend to anyone looking to progress in the craft. It is also a quote … Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, amwriting, books, indie writers, pagan, reads, writes, writing | Tagged pagan, reads, writerslife, writing | Leave a comment

Friday Flashbacks… 1

Posted on May 31, 2024 by Mark Hayes

As this blogs been around the block a few times, (754 posts over the last 8 years or so…) , I’ve decided it would be nice to dig out some old post that regular readers may never have come across … Continue reading →

Posted in humour, music, pointless things of wonderfulness | Tagged humour, music, writer | Leave a comment

By St Elmo’s Bowels

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Mark Hayes

Occasionally, on a morning at work, with my coffee, when it quiet and there is no major crisis to deal with I have too much time on my hands… Then Jessica Law (or someone else, but it is nearly always … Continue reading →

Posted in humour, music, Uncategorized | Tagged humour, writing | 2 Comments

Alternative thoughts

Posted on May 14, 2024 by Mark Hayes

Despite all human accomplishments Human civilisation owes its existence to a six inch layer of top soil and precipitation. Plants are actually farming humanity. They feed us with oxygen, so they can get the carbon dioxide they require. Then when … Continue reading →