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

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 →

Posted in humour | Tagged facts, humour, reads | Leave a comment

The Men in Dark Tweed #9

Posted on May 9, 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 men in dark tweed, reads, steampunk | Tagged humour, men in dark tweed, reads, steampunk, writing | 1 Comment

Friday Things…

Posted on May 3, 2024 by Mark Hayes

‘No matter how short you may be, you are always tall enough to reach the ground.’ Yesterday i voted, I did this despite the fact I was voting for two things I fundamentally disagree with. The first of these was … Continue reading →

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Harvey’s not dead/Men in Dark Tweed

Posted on April 9, 2024 by Mark Hayes

Over the last several years I have been involved in the Harvey Duckman Anthologies project. First as a writer, occasionally a mentor and then latterly as part of the editorial staff . I have spoken of it here more than … Continue reading →

Posted in #amwriting, amreading, amwriting, fiction, Hannibal Smyth, Harvey Duckman, indiewriter, men in dark tweed, steampunk | Tagged amreading, book reviews, books, fiction, reads, steampunk, writer, writers, writerslife, writing, writingtips | 1 Comment

Men in Dark Tweed 8

Posted on April 4, 2024 by Mark Hayes

Posted in humour, men in dark tweed, Uncategorized | Tagged humour, men in dark tweed, steampunk | Leave a comment

Forgotten forests

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Mark Hayes

The nexus of my identity is not external to me. This was a hard lesson, long to be learned, over many years and to an extent still unlearned. Coming to the realisation that what makes you you, and understanding that … Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, books, reads | Tagged amreading, books, pagan, paganism, reads | 3 Comments

Our Lady of the Peat Bog

Posted on March 25, 2024 by Mark Hayes

Our Lady of the Peat Bog* *A short piece inspired by Jessica Law The lady of the Bog does not give out swords, that her sisters job, the one who hangs about in lakes. The lady of the Bog hands … Continue reading →