Join me LIVE with @pernillehughes.bsky.social, author of A COPENHAGEN SNOWMANCE, which is here to herald in Christmas. Yes, I said the C-word! What of it? Thursday 9th October, 8pm BST Facebook: fb.me/e/3zhYHqYHw Youtube: www.youtube.com/live/P6W74xA...

“Why am I turning into my dad, who only listens to a radio station if it has the suffix 'Gold'?” 90s nostalgia, TikTok videos about sponges, bookmark deniers & lunch ditherers are just some of the things I love or hate. The reasons are here 👇 bit.ly/3WmyLlK #loveandhate #authors #booksky #reading

‘Hate’ is a strong word, but ‘strongly dislike’ isn’t quite so compelling. ‘Love’ is also a strong word, and perfectly apt for this list of thing in 2025 that I love and strongly dislike… #books #booksky #writing #reading #readers #author #90snostalgia www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/love-ha...

Had convinced myself I could only write with the right desk, the perfect chair, total silence. Made an effort to get out of that habit, or it’s too easy to find excuses not to write. So, another drama lesson for my son, & another few hours to write (& drink coffee & eat cake). #booksky #amwriting

Sign up to be a VIP Reader & as well as receiving a fortnightly newsletter with author interviews, blog posts, news and info, you also get a free download of the new Abraham Hart short story, Buried Lies. #author #books #booksky #reading #crimefiction #freebook #writing www.maxelwoodauthor.com

Great night attending the Guardian Live event seeing Richard Osman & Mick Herron interviewed. Reveal of the night was Herron saying he already knows “how, when, where & why Jackson Lamb dies.” Really interesting talk about their processes, characters & approach to writing. #booksky #author #writing

With comedy and crime (crimedy?) at publishing’s forefront (looking at you, Richard Osman) author @lmchilton.bsky.social explains his own approach to mixing the funny with the felonious in the Bookmarked Q&A. #books #booksky #author #writing #authorinterview www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/the-boo...

Just listened to the always brilliant Creative Differences podcast from @markstay.bsky.social, who was talking to @gdwrightwrites.bsky.social. Huge thanks for the shout out when you were taking about the (equally brilliant) Green Room writers’ forum, Mark. markstaywrites.com/the-green-ro...

Dating app addiction and mixing comedy and crime; @lmchilton.bsky.social discusses his writing journey, what journalism taught him before becoming an author, and why “a massive beanbag” is the perfect writing set-up. #booksky #authorinterviews #reading www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/the-boo...

Been a long day, but trying to get into the groove of writing every day. 700 words in an hour isn’t too bad. Will have to revisit tomorrow, though, to see how good those words actually are. And, yes, my wife does like to organise the bookshelves by spine colour. #booksky #books #amwriting #author

From Richard Osman to Gabrielle Zevin and beyond, @lmchilton.bsky.social discusses some of the books, authors and movies he loves, as he takes on this week’s Bookmarked Q&A. #books #booksky #author #reading #writing #crimethriller www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/the-boo...

Crime writer @lmchilton.bsky.social takes on the Bookmarked Q&A, discussing his previous job as a print & TV journalist, why dating apps are the perfect foil for a serial killer, & his murderously funny novels. #books #booksky #crimethriller #author #reader www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/the-boo...

Realised the mistake I made this time last week: No cake. Rookie error which I have satisfactorily remedied. Banana and walnut, in case you’re wondering. #amwriting #author #writing #booksky #crimethrillerfiction #crimefiction #reader #books

Despite the Tube strike, I’m London bound, and the views from the local station are always decent when the sun’s shining. #commuter #beachlife

Best-selling author @rowancoleman.bsky.social discusses her love of the Brontë sisters’ work - especially Jane Eyre - talks about the books & authors that inspire her, & tells us about her new novel, The Good Boy. #booksky #author #reading #writer #interview www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/the-boo...

There’s a birthday in the family and to celebrate we’ve decided to consume our daily calorie intake in one meal! You’re only 10 once though, so…. 🎂🥳

Football training, drama club, birthday parties, sleepovers… the kids have got a far more active social life than me. But sometimes - just sometimes - hanging around between pickups has its advantages. #amwriting #author #books #booksky #writer #crimeficion

From inspiring stories & admired authors to cherished writing places & favourite films, @rowancoleman.bsky.social reveals the things she loves & talks pets, pen names and her new book, #TheGoodBoy 👇 www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/the-boo... #books #booksky #author #reading #writing #authoringerview

If you like dogs, and you like funny, emotional stories, you’ll like @rowancoleman.bsky.social’s soon-to-be-released new novel. She talks about inspiration, re-imagination & the pros and cons of pen names.👇 www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/the-boo... #books #booksky #author #amwriting #reading

Best-selling author @rowancoleman.bsky.social talks about her new book, The Good Boy, the impact of reading Jane Eyre as a child, the novels & films she loves, the pros & cons of pen names, & narrating her dog’s inner thoughts. #books #booksky #author #reading www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/the-boo...

Holiday book 6: ✅ Final day of the holiday, final of the six books I planned to read finished. @lmchilton.bsky.social’s book is clever, funny (despite all the murders) & pacey. Back to reality, work and far less reading time from tomorrow! #books #booksky #reading #author #summerreads

Holiday book 5 ✅ Loved the previous 2 Woodville books, & the 3rd matches up. Funny, warm, exciting & emotional… enjoying getting to know Faye Bright & the citizens of Woodville, & luckily there’re still 2 more in the series! #books #booksky #reading #author www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/holiday...

Fourth holiday book; ✅ Loved The Plot & this is clever &, in places, corruscatingly funny/scathing about writers & the publishing industry but, like many sequels, doesn’t quite live up to its (amazing) predecessor. www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/holiday... #books #booksky #writing #reading #author

Just finished. Fascinating, funny, thoughtful, and pulls back the curtain on brilliant films like #LegendsoftheFall and #Glory. If you want to see what else I’ve been reading (and plan to read) on holiday, it’s all here. #books #booksky #reading #author www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/holiday...

I’m on holiday, which means I need a lot of holiday books, which is what this fortnight’s blog post is about. Thrillers, thriller sequels, romantic comedies, Hollywood memoirs and ill-advised pool-side snaps abound. www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/holiday... #books #booksky #reading #author #writing

How did Craig Mazin help @markstay.bsky.social become a better scriptwriter, and which of his own books made him realise he was a good writer? #books #booksky #writing #author #scriptwriting #creativity #amwriting www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/the-boo...

Scriptwriter of Robot Overlords, author of the Witches of Woodville & End of Dragons series', writing mentor & podcast host, @markstay.bsky.social talks writing, resilience & working with @rowancoleman.bsky.social. #books #booksky #author #writing #reader www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/the-boo...

Author & screenwriter of films including Unwelcome & Robot Overlords, @markstay.bsky.social discusses the joy of hearing actors say his lines, the differences between novel & screenwriting, & the book-to-movie adaptation he’d love to see. #writing #booksky www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/the-boo...

Author, screenwriter and podcaster @markstay.bsky.social talks Witches of Woodville, book industry evolutions and his own writing process in the latest Bookmarked Q&A. #authors #writing #reading #booksky #books www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/the-boo...

The Kindle edition of Dark Waters, “a perfect holiday read”, is now only £1.99. If you’re a crime fiction fan who likes layered stories, complex characters and tense stories, it could be for you. #books #booksky #crimefiction #holidayread #reader #author #summerreading bit.ly/3Hl1jIv

Spent a fantastic hour here today. We went “for the kids” but with all the old toys - He-Man, Star Wars, M.A.S.K., Transformers, Action Force etc - it was basically like a museum of my youth. If you like comics, toys and all things ‘nerdy’ it’s well worth a visit. #toys #comics #starwars #heman

Author, podcaster & writing mentor @markstay.bsky.social takes on next week’s Bookmarked Q&A. Sign up for free to be a VIP Reader & receive the interview direct to your inbox on Weds, and download the new Abraham Hart short, Buried Lies. #books #booksky #author #reader www.maxelwoodauthor.com

Sign up to be a VIP Reader & as well as receiving a fortnightly newsletter with author interviews, blog posts, news and info, you also get a free download of the new Abraham Hart short story, Buried Lies. #author #books #booksky #reading #crimefiction #freebook #writing www.maxelwoodauthor.com

Hugh Todd, author of It Happened in Clissold Park, talks books, writing and more, and reveals how his background as an advertising copywriter informs his approach to book writing. #books #booksky #author #reading #writing www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/the-boo...

Hugh Todd's It Happened in Clissold Park features 12 intertwining stories which form a vibrant tapestry of London life. Here, Hugh discusses the book's inspiration, why he likes short stories, and which authors inspire him. #books #booksky #author #writing www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/the-boo...

Blur, Oasis, Pulp, Elastica… covers all the prime BritPop era bands, but also dives into The Prodigy, Edwin Collins, Radiohead and many more. Interesting, informative and, for a man of a certain age, hugely nostalgic. #books #reading #booksky #author #britpop #music

If you sign up to be a VIP reader on my site (it’s free!), you’ll get a fortnightly blog post direct to your inbox, along with news and info, you’ll also receive a free ebook of the new Abraham Hart story, Buried Lies as soon as it’s released. #books #booksky #author #crime www.maxelwoodauthor.com

Found a bunch of StarWars figures in the loft, some from the older (better) films, some from the newer ones. Given them a little scrub and now the kids wants to play with them… I found them, so me first!! #starwars #starwarsfigures #retro #scifi #nostalgia

An unusually thoughtful question from Number One son meant I needed to think about the books I loved as an almost-teenager. Any additional ideas gratefully received… #books #booksky #writing #reading #author www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/shelf-d...

A new short story featuring Abraham Hart is almost there. Its being edited now, and the cover is being prepped, then it will be free to newsletter subscribers as soon as it’s ready. #books #booksky #writing #reading #author www.maxelwoodauthor.com

‘Some sins can’t be washed clean’ The Kindle edition of Dark Waters, in which journalist Abraham Hart takes on suspicious deaths, murderous gangs and family secrets, is only 99p for a limited time. #books #booksky #crime #crimefiction #thriller #kindle #reader www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0DV...

Needed new headphones for a while & been saving up just as long. As a recent iPhone convert, are AirPod Pro 2’s better or AirPod Max’s. Cost is one consideration, but I do like over-ear headphones & wonder whether the Pro’s noise cancellation is as good. Any advice welcomed… #headphones #apple

Had a very nice couple of hours yesterday with Number Two son at Basildon comicon. He came home happy with toys, posters and key rings, I came home happier with new books by @markstay.bsky.social and @philoddy.com, who both had stalls at the venue. #books #booksky #author #reading

“I can write anywhere. In bed. On the sofa. At work. That’s not to say I wouldn’t like a den. But it would have to be near a coffee shop.” Tony Burke: A man after my own coffee-infused heart #books #booksky #author #writing www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/the-boo...

Despite having read a decent amount of books so far this year - some of them very good - there’s still a big TBR pile (this is only half). Wasn’t sure what to go for next. Decided on The Proof of My Innocence and, so far, it’s proven to be a great choice. #reading #books #booksky #author

Author #TonyBurke discusses how his book, #HotelOphelia, was a good thing to come out of a dark time, how writers need to be both a plotter and a pantser, and why you should never give up on your dream. #booksky #books #author #writer #reading #creativity www.maxelwoodauthor.com/post/the-boo...

“You hear stories about people like Pullman writing straight out of his head. I think you need to be both [plotter & pantser]. If you’re going to write something with any literary value you need to know the world of the book and what that says about the world we live in beyond it.” Tony Burke

“I was disappointed by the film version of High-Rise. And Amis’s Money, starring Nick Frost; what the absolute f*ck!?” Author Tony Burke’s searingly honest Q&A is coming. Sign up to my newsletter to get it direct to your inbox. #booksky #author #writing #books www.maxelwoodauthor.com/blog

A stroke of luck which hopefully holds throughout the day… Wordle 1,464 2/6 ⬜⬜⬜🟩🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

#HotelOphelia is a dark, sometimes disturbing but always gripping story of people at the edges of society. Am interviewing #TonyBurke (who just released his feature film #Protein) next week. Sign up to the newsletter to get it direct to your inbox. #author #writing #booksky www.maxelwoodauthor.com