Ask the Author: Mark Hayden
Answered Questions (25)
Mark Hayden
Hi John,
Thanks for getting in touch. If you're on the Paw Press mailing list, then you'll know that there's good news and bad news. The first draft of 2N is finished! That's the good news. The book is definitely on the way. The bad news is (obvs) that it won't be out for a while yet (we're talking winter not autumn).
Thanks again,
Mark.
Thanks for getting in touch. If you're on the Paw Press mailing list, then you'll know that there's good news and bad news. The first draft of 2N is finished! That's the good news. The book is definitely on the way. The bad news is (obvs) that it won't be out for a while yet (we're talking winter not autumn).
Thanks again,
Mark.
Mark Hayden
Hi there,
Please excuse the delay in answering - we're away from home at the moment, and internet connections have been hard to come by.
Thank you so much for your kind words, and I'm thrilled that you've enjoyed my books. That's why I started writing - to give people the same pleasure from reading that I get.
To answer your question, "Second Nature" is coming along very well, and I hope to finish the first draft by early summer. After that, the main delay will be waiting for my editor to have some free space, so early autumn is the most likely time.
Fingers crossed!
Things can go wrong (they did with "3") - so that's why I don't give a release date until I'm certain there's a book to release.
I hope the wait is worth it.
Best Wishes,
Thanks again,
MH.
Please excuse the delay in answering - we're away from home at the moment, and internet connections have been hard to come by.
Thank you so much for your kind words, and I'm thrilled that you've enjoyed my books. That's why I started writing - to give people the same pleasure from reading that I get.
To answer your question, "Second Nature" is coming along very well, and I hope to finish the first draft by early summer. After that, the main delay will be waiting for my editor to have some free space, so early autumn is the most likely time.
Fingers crossed!
Things can go wrong (they did with "3") - so that's why I don't give a release date until I'm certain there's a book to release.
I hope the wait is worth it.
Best Wishes,
Thanks again,
MH.
Mark Hayden
Hi Jo,
You're welcome! And my screen definitely says that you are mr david gill (all in lower case), so you can see why...
Glad you found my answer useful and I hope you enjoy The 12 Dragons of Albion.
Best wishes,
MH.
You're welcome! And my screen definitely says that you are mr david gill (all in lower case), so you can see why...
Glad you found my answer useful and I hope you enjoy The 12 Dragons of Albion.
Best wishes,
MH.
Mark Hayden
Hi there - Jo? Mr Gill?
I'm glad that you enjoyed the book - and I am always happy to answer readers' questions, even if I have to think about them. I sincerely hope that you go on to try the next book in the series - and the rest.
There are over 1.4 million words in the KW series (so far). I have a good memory, but no one's memory is that good. However, readers are very important to me, and this is a fair question, and I was *sure* I'd dealt with it in the book, so off I went to check...
In Chapter 10, Conrad is served coffee by "a woman whose name I forget and with whom I barely exchanged a word all day."
That's Augusta, though he doesn't know it at the time.
In Chapter 12, John Deans identifies a woman in a photograph as being Keira's mother, and Conrad recognises her as having served him coffee.
Having made that connection, he knows that Augusta is in a position to give Keira admission to Lunar Hall.
If you do find the series enjoyable, you'll meet Augusta again a few times as a very minor character doing a very different job - needless to say, the Lunar Sisters were not happy with her.
I hope this clarifies things and I had fun re-reading the book to track down the exact locations.
Best wishes,
Mark Hayden.
I'm glad that you enjoyed the book - and I am always happy to answer readers' questions, even if I have to think about them. I sincerely hope that you go on to try the next book in the series - and the rest.
There are over 1.4 million words in the KW series (so far). I have a good memory, but no one's memory is that good. However, readers are very important to me, and this is a fair question, and I was *sure* I'd dealt with it in the book, so off I went to check...
In Chapter 10, Conrad is served coffee by "a woman whose name I forget and with whom I barely exchanged a word all day."
That's Augusta, though he doesn't know it at the time.
In Chapter 12, John Deans identifies a woman in a photograph as being Keira's mother, and Conrad recognises her as having served him coffee.
Having made that connection, he knows that Augusta is in a position to give Keira admission to Lunar Hall.
If you do find the series enjoyable, you'll meet Augusta again a few times as a very minor character doing a very different job - needless to say, the Lunar Sisters were not happy with her.
I hope this clarifies things and I had fun re-reading the book to track down the exact locations.
Best wishes,
Mark Hayden.
Mark Hayden
Not a problem, Diane. Talking to readers is one of the best parts of being a writer. Handling the pressure is part of the gig. Hope winter passes soon in New York.
MH.
MH.
Mark Hayden
Hi Diane,
Thank you for getting in touch and for reading all of the books so far.
Third Eye WILL be out some time in 2023, but I can’t say when; this has not been a book without issues.
During lockdown, I was able to write much more quickly, and I probably didn’t realise how much it was taking out of me. When I started writing 3i, we were also starting to do “stuff” again, like go on the holidays which had been endlessly postponed. Not only that, 4RC marked the end of a huge story arc in the world of the King’s Watch, and getting both the next arc going and incorporating The Wedding 💒 proved much harder than I’ve found to write a book.
I took a few months out to clear my head and help my little sister write her charity novel (“Murder Within Tent” by Ruth Ward). Have a look for it.
However, now that Christmas is a memory, I am hard at work on 3i again, and if the gods are willing, it will be out this year.
Sorry to go on, but that’s the full picture.
Thanks for your patience.
Mark.
Thank you for getting in touch and for reading all of the books so far.
Third Eye WILL be out some time in 2023, but I can’t say when; this has not been a book without issues.
During lockdown, I was able to write much more quickly, and I probably didn’t realise how much it was taking out of me. When I started writing 3i, we were also starting to do “stuff” again, like go on the holidays which had been endlessly postponed. Not only that, 4RC marked the end of a huge story arc in the world of the King’s Watch, and getting both the next arc going and incorporating The Wedding 💒 proved much harder than I’ve found to write a book.
I took a few months out to clear my head and help my little sister write her charity novel (“Murder Within Tent” by Ruth Ward). Have a look for it.
However, now that Christmas is a memory, I am hard at work on 3i again, and if the gods are willing, it will be out this year.
Sorry to go on, but that’s the full picture.
Thanks for your patience.
Mark.
Mark Hayden
Hi Chiray,
Thanks for your question - and a Happy New Year to you!
*SPOILER from SF to 4RC*
Cordy's story - from Six Furlongs to the end of Four Roads Cross is both crucial to what happens to Conrad and also a terrible tragedy. If you tried to imagine how the books would have unfolded *without* seeing what happened to her, I think you'd see that it would have been an unbelievable shock when she betrayed Conrad and led the Fae to him on the Gallops.
And you wouldn't have seen the end, when Mina played a part in Cordelia's execution/murder (delete according to your point of view).
I hope that clarifies the situation, and thank you again for reading my books,
Mark H.
Thanks for your question - and a Happy New Year to you!
*SPOILER from SF to 4RC*
Cordy's story - from Six Furlongs to the end of Four Roads Cross is both crucial to what happens to Conrad and also a terrible tragedy. If you tried to imagine how the books would have unfolded *without* seeing what happened to her, I think you'd see that it would have been an unbelievable shock when she betrayed Conrad and led the Fae to him on the Gallops.
And you wouldn't have seen the end, when Mina played a part in Cordelia's execution/murder (delete according to your point of view).
I hope that clarifies the situation, and thank you again for reading my books,
Mark H.
Mark Hayden
Hi Shelia,
Thanks for getting in touch, and I'm thrilled that you've enjoyed the books. I hope it continues!
I wrote a *lot* of books during the pandemic. Well, there wasn't a lot else to do, was there? Since things have eased, I've discovered that a) I don't have as much time as I did and b) that I need a rest.
Work on 3rd Eye is progressing steadily, and with a bit of luck it should be out in the late summer. Sorry, but you won't be able to read about the wedding next week...
And if you want right up-to-the minute news (and mole-related madness), have a look at the Merlyn's Tower Irregulars Group on Facebook.
Thanks again,
Mark.
Thanks for getting in touch, and I'm thrilled that you've enjoyed the books. I hope it continues!
I wrote a *lot* of books during the pandemic. Well, there wasn't a lot else to do, was there? Since things have eased, I've discovered that a) I don't have as much time as I did and b) that I need a rest.
Work on 3rd Eye is progressing steadily, and with a bit of luck it should be out in the late summer. Sorry, but you won't be able to read about the wedding next week...
And if you want right up-to-the minute news (and mole-related madness), have a look at the Merlyn's Tower Irregulars Group on Facebook.
Thanks again,
Mark.
Mark Hayden
Hi Todd, and thanks for getting in touch.
The Elderkind (as they call themselves) are about as independent as it gets. In the 13th Witch, Conrad manages to fire off a question to Odin. "What about the whole creation of the world thing?"
Odin didn't give a straight answer to any of his other questions, but he did to this one (I may not be quoting exactly here):
"Of course I know that the universe is billions of years old. I also distinctly remember creating it."
Perhaps one day Conrad will be able to untangle that particular mystery.
Thanks again,
Mark.
The Elderkind (as they call themselves) are about as independent as it gets. In the 13th Witch, Conrad manages to fire off a question to Odin. "What about the whole creation of the world thing?"
Odin didn't give a straight answer to any of his other questions, but he did to this one (I may not be quoting exactly here):
"Of course I know that the universe is billions of years old. I also distinctly remember creating it."
Perhaps one day Conrad will be able to untangle that particular mystery.
Thanks again,
Mark.
Mark Hayden
Hi Katherine,
Thanks for getting in touch, and I'm thrilled that you're enjoying Ciaran's performances. I am in awe of the way he does that.
The short answer is that yes, I do want to bring the novellas to audio, and to do so this year as more novels are recorded.
The longer answer is that there are issues around this to do with publishing and finding the right narrator. I may not be able to get all I wanted, but I will definitely get something.
Until then, thanks for your patience,
Best Wishes,
Mark.
Thanks for getting in touch, and I'm thrilled that you're enjoying Ciaran's performances. I am in awe of the way he does that.
The short answer is that yes, I do want to bring the novellas to audio, and to do so this year as more novels are recorded.
The longer answer is that there are issues around this to do with publishing and finding the right narrator. I may not be able to get all I wanted, but I will definitely get something.
Until then, thanks for your patience,
Best Wishes,
Mark.
Mark Hayden
Hi Dan,
Thanks for getting in touch and I'm glad that you're looking forward to the wedding! Conrad is looking forward to it as well, though he does keep looking over his shoulder...
It's only been two months since 4RoadsCross came out, so it's going to be a while before Third Eye is dropped. However, I said it will be out in Spring, and that's what I'm aiming for.
I hope you enjoy it,
Mark.
Thanks for getting in touch and I'm glad that you're looking forward to the wedding! Conrad is looking forward to it as well, though he does keep looking over his shoulder...
It's only been two months since 4RoadsCross came out, so it's going to be a while before Third Eye is dropped. However, I said it will be out in Spring, and that's what I'm aiming for.
I hope you enjoy it,
Mark.
Mark Hayden
Hi Linda,
I'm really glad that you've enjoyed the books so far. Thank you.
Fear not - Five Leaf Clover is on its way, and should be released within the next month.
Regards,
MH.
I'm really glad that you've enjoyed the books so far. Thank you.
Fear not - Five Leaf Clover is on its way, and should be released within the next month.
Regards,
MH.
Mark Hayden
Hi John,
Thanks for getting in touch. I'm thrilled that you like the books. I agree with you - Ciaran has done a brilliant job of bringing my words to life (I'm allowed to say that, I think).
Good news: Recordings for 11th Hour have been booked for spring, and I'm in discussion about 10 & 9.
Less good news: The current UK lockdown means that no studio recordings are possible. Audiofactory are looking at alternatives (including postponement), but like life in general, it's all up in the air.
However, also like life: we will get there. And this year.
Thanks for your patience, John.
Mark Hayden.
Thanks for getting in touch. I'm thrilled that you like the books. I agree with you - Ciaran has done a brilliant job of bringing my words to life (I'm allowed to say that, I think).
Good news: Recordings for 11th Hour have been booked for spring, and I'm in discussion about 10 & 9.
Less good news: The current UK lockdown means that no studio recordings are possible. Audiofactory are looking at alternatives (including postponement), but like life in general, it's all up in the air.
However, also like life: we will get there. And this year.
Thanks for your patience, John.
Mark Hayden.
Mark Hayden
Hi there sir,
I hope you're keeping well and safe.
It *will* be on Audible - when Amazon get their finger out (as we say in England).
I submitted it for validation 30 days ago, and they promise "around 30 days". They do have a huge backlog, and other authors have said it can take even longer.
I guess that the secondary platforms are less fussy.
I wish I could put a rocket up them, but they haven't broken their promise ... yet.
Thanks for asking, and thanks for being a loyal member of the Merlyn's Tower Irregulars.
MH.
I hope you're keeping well and safe.
It *will* be on Audible - when Amazon get their finger out (as we say in England).
I submitted it for validation 30 days ago, and they promise "around 30 days". They do have a huge backlog, and other authors have said it can take even longer.
I guess that the secondary platforms are less fussy.
I wish I could put a rocket up them, but they haven't broken their promise ... yet.
Thanks for asking, and thanks for being a loyal member of the Merlyn's Tower Irregulars.
MH.
Mark Hayden
Hi there. Thanks for getting in touch, and I'm glad you're enjoying the books.
When it comes to audiobooks, we're on it!
The remarkable Audiofactory of Glastonbury have already recorded the 13th Witch and recording for 12 Dragons in under way. I want to release both together as in many ways they're one story split in two volumes.
I hope to have both of them available on Audible and other platforms in September.
And if they're successful, I'll be booking Ciaran for the rest!
Thanks,
Mark Hayden.
When it comes to audiobooks, we're on it!
The remarkable Audiofactory of Glastonbury have already recorded the 13th Witch and recording for 12 Dragons in under way. I want to release both together as in many ways they're one story split in two volumes.
I hope to have both of them available on Audible and other platforms in September.
And if they're successful, I'll be booking Ciaran for the rest!
Thanks,
Mark Hayden.
Mark Hayden
Hi there,
And first of all can I say Thank You for being such a long-time fan of the King’s Watch - it's great to acknowledge those of you who have been there since the publication of the first book.
The Morrigan is not just scary, she pretty much embodies terror, as you'd expect from the goddess of war and death. Conrad has told me that he is *not* keen to see her again, but the gods move in their own way, and who knows when he may run across her, especially if he has to go to Ireland for some reason (so watch out for Five Leaf Clover).
I sincerely hope that you enjoy French Leave - and the reappearance of several old enemies.
Mark Hayden.
And first of all can I say Thank You for being such a long-time fan of the King’s Watch - it's great to acknowledge those of you who have been there since the publication of the first book.
The Morrigan is not just scary, she pretty much embodies terror, as you'd expect from the goddess of war and death. Conrad has told me that he is *not* keen to see her again, but the gods move in their own way, and who knows when he may run across her, especially if he has to go to Ireland for some reason (so watch out for Five Leaf Clover).
I sincerely hope that you enjoy French Leave - and the reappearance of several old enemies.
Mark Hayden.
Mark Hayden
Hi Tracey,
Funny you should ask! Audiofactory have begun recording today. Weird coincidence, or what?
Barring Armageddon, the audiobook will be out in the summer - further updates will be on my Facebook Page - Mark Hayden Author.
Thanks for the question, and I hope you get to enjoy the Audiobook in due course.
MH.
Funny you should ask! Audiofactory have begun recording today. Weird coincidence, or what?
Barring Armageddon, the audiobook will be out in the summer - further updates will be on my Facebook Page - Mark Hayden Author.
Thanks for the question, and I hope you get to enjoy the Audiobook in due course.
MH.
Mark Hayden
Hi Mark,
Thanks for getting in touch. I am hard at work on the novella French Leave at the moment, and hope to have the pre-order up in the near future.
Stay Safe,
Mark Hayden.
Thanks for getting in touch. I am hard at work on the novella French Leave at the moment, and hope to have the pre-order up in the near future.
Stay Safe,
Mark Hayden.
Mark Hayden
Hi Tracey,
Thank you so much for saying that you enjoy my books. Hearing that from readers like you is what makes me keep going (that and the fact that Mina has threatened to haunt me if I don't finish).
No, you haven't missed anything. Obviously, I haven't expressed myself as clearly as I thought. What happened was this:
The night before the party, due to Rachael's nosiness and Sofía's carelessness, Rachael saw something she shouldn't have, and as a result Rachael and Alain became entangled. None of that has any bearing on 7th Star, and all will be revealed in my next novella, "French Leave".
Only a tiny part of French Leave takes place before the end of 7th Star; the bulk of it happens *after*, and is set in France.
I hope this answers your question, and please get in touch if you need anything else.
Thanks again,
Mark Hayden.
Thank you so much for saying that you enjoy my books. Hearing that from readers like you is what makes me keep going (that and the fact that Mina has threatened to haunt me if I don't finish).
No, you haven't missed anything. Obviously, I haven't expressed myself as clearly as I thought. What happened was this:
The night before the party, due to Rachael's nosiness and Sofía's carelessness, Rachael saw something she shouldn't have, and as a result Rachael and Alain became entangled. None of that has any bearing on 7th Star, and all will be revealed in my next novella, "French Leave".
Only a tiny part of French Leave takes place before the end of 7th Star; the bulk of it happens *after*, and is set in France.
I hope this answers your question, and please get in touch if you need anything else.
Thanks again,
Mark Hayden.
Mark Hayden
Hi Mark,
Thanks for getting in touch. I'm hard at work on 7Stars and hope to have the finished book out late March / early April.
Regards,
MH.
Thanks for getting in touch. I'm hard at work on 7Stars and hope to have the finished book out late March / early April.
Regards,
MH.
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