Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a former primary school teacher from Cardiff in Wales. I’ve been writing for about 14 years now and it got to the point where I kept thinking to myself, you know what? I wanna get my books out there. So, I’m publishing my debut in October, 2020. But I have a long back catalogue of novels itching to get out.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It’s called Feral Snow. It was inspired by the prospect of being a father. It terrified me and so, the idea of Paul, who is a father-to-be, running away to work at the Arctic while his pregnant wife was back at home in Wales, just hit me. I poured all of my anxiety about being a parent into this novel and turned it into a journey of self-acceptance and responsibility.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I tend to write whenever I get time. I’m not one of these, ‘I must wake up at 4am and spend three hours writing’ kind of people. Largely because I just can’t do that. Instead, I steal snippets, minutes, hours here and there where I can work on my novels. I’m also what they call, a Planster: a hearty mixture of the Plotter and the Panster. I tend to plot in acts. I’ll plot the first act, write it, pause and plot the next act, write it, pause and plot the third, then write to the end. It’s an odd way of doing it but I found it works for me. It means I have a structure to follow but I’m allowed some freedom in the long-term.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There’s such a long list. I was late to the reading game. I only started reading when I was 20 or so, really. I started really invested in Fantasy. Brent Weeks and Patrick Rothfuss were huge influences. Then I moved onto Stephen King after reading The Shining. I was blown away by the sheer terror of it. So, that really pushed me to write compelling stories in the modern day. More recently, there are a few great authors I’ve gotten into: Josh Malerman; Matt Wesolowski; Stu Turton; and C.J. Tudor. I think the novel that has stuck with me the most though is Gabriel Tallent’s My Absolute Darling. Be warned, it’s a very hard read but geez, it’s so good. It’s raw and painful and beautiful.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on a novel that’s a mixture of a superhero, Greek mythology, crime, thriller story. It’s taking some time and it’s ambitious. I’m taking elements from all of those listed previously and meshing them together. The research is nuts but it’s been so worth it.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m on Twitter. I find that a great way to meet people and just talk. I’m also on Goodreads, Amazon author profile, and I have a WordPress called ‘Mark Lowes – All Things Bookish’, which goes into detail with regards to plotting and structure.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I get asked this quite often. The best advice I can offer you is to write it anyway. Everyone is usually faced with an idea in their head and they think, ‘This is too big for me. Too complicated.’ And that’s fine but at the same time, if it’s in your head then it’s just imagination. If it’s on paper (or screen or spoken), it’s a story. Tell stories. Don’t be afraid to throw yourself into it and learn from FINISHING what you write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Someone once told me not to be so precious about my writing. For those 14 years that I wrote, I refused to share with anyone unless those I’m sharing with were strangers online. And I’m definitely not alone in that. We hoard our stories, embarrassed about them and treasure them. Let them go out into the world through every means possible. And when you publish, don’t be too precious not to put a deal on your books. Value them – yes – but let them go.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading The Deep by Alma Katsu. It’s a supernatural retelling of the Titanic. It’s really good, haunting and horrifying so far. I’m also eagerly anticipating the arrival of my pre-ordered copy of Stu Turton’s The Devil and the Dark Water. His first novel, The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, was just genius.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a blog tour coming up in November. I’m currently working on promotion for my novel, Feral Snow. At the same time, I’m working away on my mash up of Greek mythology, superhero, etc. WIP.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Shining.
My Absolute Darling.
The Martian (great book).
War and Peace… only because it’s so big, I’d live a while off it using it as insulation.
Author Websites and Profiles
Mark Lowes Website
Mark Lowes Amazon Profile
Mark Lowes’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account