February 8, 2022

Knock Knock…Anyone There?

By Russell Mardell

I’m delighted (and still a little amazed) to finally announce that my next book, The Knock-Knock Man, will be published on 19th May 2022 through Red Door Press. It has been a long, long road to get it to this stage, and it’s consumed my life far more than it should have done. But it’s here, it’s done, and I can breathe again. And then start writing something new, and go through it all again. I will forever be grateful to Clare Christian at Red Door for having enough faith in my ghoulish creation to give it life.

The book deals with faith too. Faith and family, redemption and revenge. And ghosts. Maybe. Part crime thriller, a little bit of a detective mystery, with a healthy slash of folk horror, The Knock-Knock Man asks whether you should be more afraid of ghosts or humans.

Here’s the blurb for the book –

Who is The Knock-Knock Man? A ghost, a killer, or the figment of a frightened boy’s imagination?

It is a question that continues to haunt disgraced New Salstone police officer, Ali Davenport, fifteen months after the devastating case that changed the course of her life. Now, after the death of her former colleague, Ernie, Ali has returned home to face a past that won’t stay buried. 

Found in the disused office building where he worked as night security, Ernie’s death has been ruled as a suicide. But not everyone is convinced. Wild stories are circulating about a supernatural presence in the building, an entity that might have attacked Ernie that fateful night. With the sale of the building about to go through, Ali is hired by its owner to work Ernie’s remaining night shifts and debunk the potentially damaging story. An easy enough job, if you don’t believe in ghosts. But then Ali meets Will, a teenage ghost hunter who claims to have evidence on film…

Forming an unlikely partnership, Ali and Will soon fall headlong into a mystery that takes them through New Salstone’s macabre history and into Ali’s own dark past. As the pieces of the puzzle come together, Ali is forced to face the question of The Knock-Knock Man one last time. But what Ali doesn’t know is The Knock-Knock Man has already been watching her for a very long time…

And if you like that, you can read the (very short) prologue too, right here

And if you’re still here, then this is the cover (designed by Patrick Knowles)

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I’ve been lucky to secure three jacket endorsements from three of my favourite writers too – Lucie McKnight Hardy (author of the short story collection Dead Relatives, and the sublime novel Water Shall Refuse Them) the legend that is Stephen Volk (Ghostwatch) and queen of noir, Cathi Unsworth (Weirdo, Bad Penny Blues) It still feels vaguely surreal that they even agreed to read it, let alone offer quotes and I’m hugely grateful (and relieved) that they liked it.

A sharp, chilling mystery with tremendously engaging characters, written in taut prose with occasional stabs of acerbic wit, this thriller with a dark heart is a real treat. I loved it and genuinely couldn’t put it down – Stephen Volk

A beguiling blend of the supernatural and crime fiction that kept me on my toes until the very end – Lucie McKnight Hardy

Russell Mardell has fashioned a hugely original and totally terrifying folk horror noir from the rich ingredients of the Wiltshire countryside – a landscape steeped in ancient mystery, ancestral sin, class exploitation and superstition – that has both contemporary resonance and the echo of the timeless. A land where both Dennis and Ben Wheatley meet and fear of the supernatural is only matched by the evil that men do – Cathi Unsworth

More to come on the novel soon. If you want to pre-order The Knock-Knock Man you can do so right now from all the usual places. If you want to grab a copy, please consider supporting your local indie (this is good advice in all things) and if you want a special signed edition of the book, you can pre-order one right now from the mighty Rocketship Bookshop – here.

Knock-Knock

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May 3, 2021

Book 6 on the horizon of a creative wasteland

By Russell Mardell

Well, after four (FOUR!) years, I can finally say that book 6 is ready for people’s eyes. Though anyone expecting a doorstop novel will be disappointed, it is a mere 91k and change. Nor does the ridiculously long writing period mean it is some intricately plotted, multi-layered and painstakingly researched story, either. I mean, it has a plot, some layers and I did do some research, but nothing that warranted four years worth of work. What is it then? Well, there’s still a little debate on that too. It’s both a folk horror and a crime novel, it has elements of a detective novel, a mystery and a supernatural noir too. I like a mash up.

I was lucky enough to study with Curtis Brown Creative on their 6 month online novel writing course back in 2017, taught by the wonderful Suzannah Dunn, and it was here where the book began. Work-shopping with my fellow students helped me find the right path for the story and the best way to structure it. In terms of coming out the other side with a better novel, it was an invaluable experience. It also proved to be quite a successful group too – at time of writing, Lori Kaufmann, Sarah Daniels, and Hiron Ennes all have books either out or imminent. Fairly confident there will be others to follow. Not bad for a group of 15. More recently I returned to Curtis Brown Creative and joined their mentorship programme, working with Queen of London Noir, Cathi Unsworth. Cathi was brilliant to work with, and for a novel that blends crime and the supernatural, it was hard to think of anyone better to help guide it into shape. With some tough love, and a lot of laughs, Cathi helped me take a scalpel to it and kill my darlings. Though I’m not sure ‘darlings’ is the right word in this instance. I don’t miss any of the little bastards yet.

So, while my work with CBC and the inevitable agent dance that followed each occasion, can account for a fraction of those four years, it barely scratches the surface. In truth, the reason it has taken so long was an infestation of creative malaise and a shattering of self-confidence. Where did it come from? No idea. But it was swiftly followed by 2020, and then that was that. No banana bread baking or learning a musical instrument for me. What was left of my creativity went and hid in some dark place. Can’t blame it, I spent most of last year wanting to do the same. Short stories were started and left, desire deleted by doubt. Editing continued on book 6 but only half-heartedly, new stories were roughed out, characters created and then left in their half-formed lives in the pages of a notebook. What I first put down to laziness soon became something else. It was, it was fair to say, almost crippling. And I can’t really explain it. For most of last year, with all the horrors going on in the world, it also seemed monumentally self-indulgent and pathetic to even think about it. It just didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. I even struggled to read much, and rather strangely, when I did read I tended to find comfort in darker books (favourite recent reads: Water Shall Refuse Them by Lucie McKnight Hardy, Some Will Not Sleep by Adam Nevill and Starve Acre by Andrew Michael Hurley) Not sure what that says. Not sure I should question it.

I stopped watching the news so obsessively a while ago, as the general feeling of helplessness that it generated wasn’t, well, helping. Short of getting jabbed, wearing a mask and not acting like a dick, there was very little it seemed I could offer. So, concentrating on my own pathetic issues of creativity and self-doubt have, in some ways, become a bit of a coping mechanism. And I’m trying not to feel guilty about that. The big picture remains overwhelming, I guess it will for some time, so why not try and fix the small pictures in your life and hope that they, eventually, have the cumulative effect of looking good enough to you, and those in your life, that they are worth hanging on the wall. It’s all most of us have got.

While a lot of my life remains a work in progress, at least the next novel isn’t. It’s done, I love it, and that’s not a bad place to start again. In many ways this post is more an exercise for me to write something again, than it is a need to say anything meaningful. It’s the first thing I’ve written in nearly a year and that in itself feels like a small achievement. So thank you for reading it. Time to revisit those short stories now, I think.

As for book 6, well, more on that soon…

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June 9, 2019

Rise: The Story of Augustines released this August

By Russell Mardell

 

Very excited to announce that Todd Howe’s magnificent documentary Rise: The Story of Augustines, will be available from Friday 2nd August (of course) via iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, VimeoOnDemand & on DVD from rise.film

It’s been an honour to be involved in this film as an associate producer. It’s been a long journey and a real labour of love for Todd, and even taking off my rose tinted glasses, the end result is simply stunning. In some respects the biggest achievement of the film is the fact that it is so much more than the story of the greatest live band of their generation. This isn’t just a film for fans, it is a film for everyone. It’s heartbreaking, uplifting and ultimately life-affirming.

Award-winning too. After its premiere at last years Raindance Film Festival, Rise went on to screen at the Santa Cruz Film Festival, The Central Alberta Film Festival, Docuslate at New Filmakers Los Angeles, and Queen Palm International Film Festival where Todd won Best Director. It was also a winner at the Spotlight Documentary Film Awards 2018 and earlier this year completed a short run of cinema screenings up and down the country with Vue cinemas.

 

 

 

 

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October 29, 2016

Live Out Loud – A thank you to Augustines

By Russell Mardell

‘Live out loud and do what you gotta do, ain’t no one keeping score, this is your life’

Augustines have always had the right words at the right time. They have been my go-to band for nearly six years now. If in doubt, Augustines will sort you out. It’s a really special thing when you find a band like that. I suppose it’s also quite easy to get complacent and take it for granted. You find a band like Augustines, so vital and honest and full of life, and you see a gig and realise you are in the presence of the greatest live band of their generation, and not just that but everyone else there in that venue are all in on it too, and have the same elated looks on their faces, then why wouldn’t you think that these three guys would carry on forever? I don’t know much about the music industry – though in hindsight I’m seeing some uncomfortable parallels with the publishing world, so maybe I should have known – but when, last month, they announced they were calling it a day and embarking on their last tour, I was totally floored. It wasn’t just a naivety about the industry; it was also, on a personal level, a moment that made me question what the hell I was doing in my own career.

12717896_569476829889866_8121104816261347966_nI wrote a bit in my latest novel, Cold Calling, about the band, mentioning the first tour I saw them on. I’d been thinking a lot about that time. That wonderful feeling you get when you find a band that you know you’re invested in completely. It was no surprise, I suppose, because their music soundtracked the writing of the book, their lyrics even appeared at the start. Yeah, Augustines had been on my mind a lot.

 

Augustines started around the time of my first novel, and as such I have always associated them with that part of my career. They have just always been there, making everything okay. Indeed it was through that first book that I got to meet Todd Howe – probably the band’s biggest champion – and then subsequently, through Todd’s recommendation, I found Bill, Eric and Rob. I saw them first in London, supporting The Boxer Rebellion, in, I think, March 2011. So in awe of what we saw then, my brother and I accosted Billy in the bar after and just hugged him. He didn’t seem to mind, or at least was polite enough not to say. It was just an instinctive thing. Had to do it. (It should also be noted that Augustines are probably the most huggable band around too.) From that gig on we were in. Totally signed up to planet Augustines.

When I interviewed Billy just after that first gig, he sent me a short tweet and told me he wouldn’t quit if I didn’t. A little thing, and I’m sure he has said the same to many other people struggling to follow their dream – follow your heart, live your life, do your thing your own beautiful way, that has been a message Augustines have sung from the start. But that short tweet was a big thing for me. When you consider the almighty shit that they have had to put up with, the heartache, and the knock-backs that dogged their early years, and the strength they have needed to keep going, that they were doing their own beautiful thing, and not just that, they were doing it with great big smiles on their faces and one huge joyous heart, then it really put my own pathetic little setbacks into perspective. It inspired me no end. It was never just the music, it wasn’t just the poetic, soul grabbing lyrics, it was also those three men on stage. Possibly the nicest band you could meet. A band that truly gave themselves to everything they did. No half measures, they left it all out there on the stage or in the recording studio. Some bands seem to copy and paste what they do, drift along with not much to say, but saying it anyway. There is an artifice to a lot of people. A fragility. People are scared to say anything, looking for a role to fit – rinse, recycle and repeat, never getting out of second gear. Never Augustines. They landed in fifth gear, fully formed, and never settled for anything less. That level of commitment does gain a lot of love, and I hope, I think, their fans have given it back to them too. Family is a big thing in the Augustines world, and that is how it feels following them, and meeting other fans – it feels like we are all a part of the Augustines family. Sometimes you don’t get to see family as much as you’d like, but they’re still there. They will always be there.

It’s always a struggle to create art, and live. People will always appreciate artists, maybe be envious of them, or aspire to be like them, and maybe it’s the struggle that sorts out the committed from the dreamers, maybe it needs to be there. It’s never been easy to create things – music, poetry, books, films – but I think that we live in a world now where the value of such things has been skewed. People equate creating art to fame. It’s easy to be famous; maybe that’s what has devalued the currency of art. Or maybe it’s the currency itself. It’s a hard thing to constantly keep pushing that piano up the hill when all you want to do is be allowed to sit and play it. It’s hard to do that when you’re twenty, let alone when you’re forty. Particularly if, like me, you can’t actually play the piano.

I took some time after Cold Calling, to think about whether I wanted to keep doing it. Was the shit, the disappointment, that continued pushing of the piano, really worth it? Truth is, it probably isn’t, but it’s also true that sometimes you don’t have much choice in the matter. You do these things because you have to, you don’t stop because someone tells you you should, or people litter obstacles in your way. You take a slip road, you go under or over or around, it doesn’t matter, the destination is still the same. I’m sure that is what Bill, Eric and Rob will do. It is the end of a chapter, not the story.

10847650_416026528568231_1549714607997026554_oI’m very lucky to be an associate producer on Todd’s forthcoming documentary about them – Rise, and believe me, it is going to be a wondrous experience, and a beautiful celebration. So I get to play a tiny little part in their legacy and that makes me very proud.

I’m incredibly honored also that Billy let me use some Chapel Song lyrics in Cold Calling. I will never tire of seeing them there, nor of people telling me that either the lyrics or the brief bit in the novel about them, has made them go and check them out. Following the band from pub, to club, to the Roundhouse has also given me a lot of wonderful memories. You can’t really miss something that will always be there, and there are three records, three masterpieces, that will always be cherished. It helps to make you realise that it is more important to be happy you found them, than to be upset that they have gone. That’s a pretty good way to look at most things in life.

That I was in that period of indecision and doubt about my writing when Augustines made their announcement, I found it really hit home. I continue to question what I’m doing, or rather why I’m doing it, but I suspect I always will.

Being at Augustines final London show earlier this month was joyous, it was uplifting, it was heartfelt; everything an Augustines show always was. And then, towards the end, as Ballard of a Patient Man ended, and before Are We Alive began, Billy took to the mic and said ‘‘If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that you’ve got to live out loud and do what you gotta do, ain’t no one keeping score, this is your life’

Damn right. See, Augustines always have the right words.

(Photos & Video via Todd Howe)

 

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March 16, 2016

Introducing the new novel – Cold Calling

By Russell Mardell

Cold CallingMy latest novel, Cold Calling’ is published on 28th March 2016 in paperback and as an eBook.

A big change of genre for me, the story is one that I have worked on, in different mediums, for a number of years. Originally an un-filmed screenplay, sections of the story were subsequently reworked into the short play that debuted on the Salisbury Fringe in 2014. After the positive reaction to the play I felt it was possible that the story, with some restructuring, could work as a full novel.

A comedy, in essence, Cold Calling centres on a relationship between cold caller, Ray, and coffee shop owner, Anya, played out entirely over the phone. I wanted to take the traditional notion of a ‘boy-meets-girl’ story, and wonder what would happen if the boy never actually met the girl. Take out any physical attraction from the relationship, and the potential complications or misjudgements that brings, and focus on a different, deeper connection. But then, can there be anything real in a phone conversation?

Hope you enjoy it!

All the buying links are here

 

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October 21, 2015

Announcing new book – Cold Calling

By Russell Mardell

Mardell_ColdCalling_v5

Delighted to announce that my new novel is set to be published early next year. It is called ‘Cold Calling’ and its plot may be familiar to a few of you. The story is one that I have been working on for some time. Originally a film script, I re-worked a few parts of it for a short play that premiered last year during Salisbury Fringe. Very much a character piece, it was a great experiment, drawing out my two leads, seeing how people took to them, and condensing part of their story to fit a brief 10 minute play. Thankfully, the response was good, and it was also invaluable in helping shape the story further. There was more I wanted to do with those characters, and stories I wanted to tell in that world.

It seems I’m a sucker for acid-tongued, sarky, gobby folk.

Because, there are lot of those in it. Surprisingly. It is, despite all that, a romantic comedy. Technically. Sort of. The powers that be like to be able to shoehorn your book into a genre, so I suppose it is closest to to that. Albeit the romance is fairly sugar-free. And the comedy, not always family-friendly. It is a love story, but one about the love between friends, and all the glorious imperfections that come with it.

 

Synopsis –

It was just a phone call. Just meaningless words between two strangers. It didn’t mean anything…

Still reeling from the break up with the love of his life, insurance firm cold caller, Ray English, has become a bit of a screw up. To put it mildly. Cynical, and withdrawn, Ray is aimlessly drifting through life in London alongside his long-suffering best mate, Danny. Asked to reform their college band for a friend’s wedding, Ray is soon forced to face up to his old life, and the hometown he had tried so hard to turn his back on.

Anya Belmont is a woman with a secret, and a history that continues to shape her life. A coffee shop owner in Salisbury, Anya is successful, yet bored; married, yet lonely, and is also trying to avert a looming mid-life crisis, whilst struggling in vain to control her best friend, Eva Cunningham, a slightly unstable, child-hating children’s author.

Fate, coincidence, or just bad timing, Ray and Anya’s lives begin to change when Ray cold calls Anya and the two strike up a seemingly innocuous phone conversation. Against their better judgement, that conversation is soon the start of a phone relationship that grows in frequency and intimacy as the weeks and months pass, and a curious, almost dependent friendship is born. But can there be anything ‘real’ in a simple phone call?

As circumstances bring these two lonely souls to the same town at the same time, both are forced to question the truth of what they have started, and the realisation that if they are to move on in their lives, they will have to start by looking back and facing the ghosts of their past…

 

A big thank you to the ever-brilliant David Baker for once again producing a cover for me. We went ultra-minimal this time.

 

‘Cold Calling’ is due to be published in March 2016

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June 11, 2015

Bleeker Hill & Darkshines Seven ebook re-release

By Russell Mardell

Bleeker HillDarkshines Seven Part 3: Storm Tail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very pleased that both Bleeker Hill and Darkshines Seven are to be re-released as eBooks through Matador. This means that rather than being available just for the Kindle and solely on Amazon as they both are now, they will be available on all other devices and other distributors too. The one downside to this however is that it means, due to both originally being exclusive to Amazon, all reviews attached to the eBook versions will be removed. Which is essentially all of them (another sign that people are buying eBooks and not paperbacks – but let’s not have that argument) So it would be a great help if those who have already posted reviews would re-post them when the new listing is live. I shall no doubt make grovelling pleas on social media as well when they are live. Impossible to overstate how important reviews are to authors.

The other difference will be that Darkshines Seven will be released as one story rather than a trilogy. It will also be marketed as a direct sequel to Bleeker Hill. Because it really is. Editing the three stories into one volume it became clear that so much in Darkshines – small nuances, in-jokes, and events – stems from knowledge of Bleeker Hill, and whilst having previously read Bleeker Hill shouldn’t be necessary to enjoy Darkshines Seven, it just felt right to go down this route with it. I also didn’t want to look like I was duping any new readers. Also, doing it this way it leaves the door open to make Bleeker Hill a trilogy…

Both new eBooks should be live next month.

 

 

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November 26, 2014

Filming begins – Rise: The Story of Augustines

By Russell Mardell

Rise: The Story of Augustines, filming at the Berlin wall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filming has now begun on ‘Rise: The Story of Augustines’ the wonderful documentary film being made by Big Vulture on which I’m an associate producer. Speaking to the director and listening to their plans, I think this is going to be an incredible film, and I’m delighted to be involved with these very talented people. Filming is underway across Europe during the last leg of the band’s tour, and then will continue in America from January.

The film will be released next year.

 

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August 28, 2014

Rise – The Story of Augustines

By Russell Mardell

Rise - The Story of Augustines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having been looking to put the novel writing on the back burner and return to film after many years, I’m delighted and honoured to be involved in the forthcoming film documentary by Big Vulture, ‘Rise – The Story of Augustines’ directed by my good mate, Todd Howe, ex-guitarist with my beloved The Boxer Rebellion.

Those not familiar with Augustines, apart from immediately checking out their music, would do well to read the excellent Brother’s Keeper by Ryan Berg. I also wrote a bit about them back in 2011 and interviewed singer Billy McCarthy, you can read that here

I first found Augustines through Todd, a friend of the band for many years, and then saw them supporting the Boxers. It was one of those strange musical experiences where the connection was immediate. Connection is something Augustines do very well. No matter the size of the venue or the crowd, there is a remarkable intimacy to an Augustines show, and it is most definitely a two way love with their audience. Having followed their journey since that first gig, I look at the astonishing strides they have made, the huge audience they have picked up along the way, and most importantly the smiles on their faces, and it makes me feel proud.

The Augustines are an important band to me. I would expect that they are to pretty much anyone that has ever seen them live. How they came to be, how they survived the many obstacles and life-changing experiences flung at them along the way, is a quite incredible story, and that they are here now, doing what they were born to do, and not just surviving but thriving, is a testament to the fact that a strength of will, a bond of friendship, and a wave of love can overcome most things. The music industry, much like the publishing industry, is littered with talent felled by the bullshit, the tortuous process of creativity in a world ruled by fad and fortune, and those sucked dry by the bureaucratic bouncers standing in front of your audience. I have nothing but the utmost respect for anyone who can become a success in such an industry. That Augustines can do it, having had to overcome all they have, is remarkable. Whether a music fan or not, for any creative, anyone who has battled to bring their dreams to life, their story is something that will resonate and inspire.

For those who may want to get involved in what promises to be a very exciting film, there is currently a Kickstarter campaign with lots of great, exclusive perks over at RISEFILM.COM – watch the trailer, feel the love and come and join the community!

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January 16, 2014

Ginger Nuts of Horror names ‘Bleeker Hill’ a novel of the year + interview

By Russell Mardell

Bleeker Hill

It can be a really difficult process getting reviews for your books when you are an indie writer. At least that’s what I have found. Maybe it’s because my first two books didn’t really have easily identifiable genres, but even with Bleeker Hill, a novel that does, it has been hit and miss. I’ve been dangled around with the promise of reviews a fair few times and I guess that’s just part of the deal, but I also have to say that with all three books I have encountered some really great reviewers and review sites. Jim McLeod at Ginger Nuts of Horror is one of those. It’s hard not to love Jim’s obvious passion for horror. Ginger Nuts is a great site for the horror fan. Fun, personal, and covering all manner of horror sub-genres, with interviews, reviews, articles and so much more, it oozes love for its subject.

I was so pleased Jim agreed to take a punt on Bleeker Hill and absolutely honoured that he liked it enough to name it one of his horror novels of the year! (Some pretty decent company there too) I also did an interview for Ginger Nuts of Horror which you can read here (I tried to keep the ranting to a minimum)

Huge thanks to Jim, and anyone else that has taken the time to review any of my books. Reviews are essential – good, bad or indifferent. Sometimes the hardest part of doing this job is the silence, so hearing from readers and knowing that they liked your work enough to write a review, send an email, or a tweet is just about as wonderful as this job gets.

 

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