Interview with Local Author, M. Purkiss
I was very pleased to meet a fellow indie author recently, living in the same town as me! We met for coffee, had a lovely chat and he kindly agreed to be interviewed. I am pleased to introduce you to M. Purkiss. Please take a minute to visit his socials after you have read the interview. Thanks!
1. Introduce yourself! Tell us something about you, where you are from and how you got into writing.
Hi all. My name is M. Purkiss, and I write primarily horror, although my debut release was considered sci-fi/mystery. I currently live in South Wales but am originally from Southampton in Hampshire. I have always loved books, although growing up I struggled to read and write, but I somehow knew that I wanted to write even before I understood how too. It wasn’t until I left school and college when I really sat down properly to write. Although I used to write tales of horror growing up, only for my own amusement.
2. How long have you been writing?
As soon as I grasped the basic concepts of sentences and structures, I started creating stories. My first book was published in 2015, and it spawned two sequels in the following years (2016,2017). After this I took a break from writing seriously until 2024, when I decided to properly pursue writing as a full-time commitment.
3. Why horror?
I have always loved horror, growing up I would spend endless hours watching horror movies. I would play horror games and when I was able to read properly, read horror books. I find the genre to be very expressive and without too many barriers. I am able to go in any direction I feel is necessary. Horror had always been a part of my life and so it made sense that the love I have for the genre is something I wanted to share with others.
4. Who is your favourite horror author?
I have several horror authors I love to read and who inspire me. Of course, a big one for me is Stephen King, The Shining being the first adult horror book I read front to back. But aside from him I look to others, such as Rick Wood and Ania Ahlborn who are able to create captivating and exciting scenarios to get lost in terror with. I am always open to trying new authors of course, I love to see different perspectives on similar situations, it always fascinates me.
5. Have any authors inspired you to take up writing?
I knew I always wanted to write horror before I had my favourites as it were, but then when exploring different authors, I am able to get inspiration. There has not been one particular author that inspired me to write, just the genre in general was the inspiration I required.
6. Do any of the people you meet in real life inspire your characters? Anonymity is key here!
There have been on occasions when someone has said something to me or acted a certain way when I say to myself “save that for later”. A lot of my characters are fabrications of my own imagination with a sprinkling of real traits from people to give the characters more depth.
7. Of your characters, which is your favourite? Why?
I love this question, mainly because it can change at any moment. I guess if I had to pick one current character it would be Adam from Spirals of Grey. I love his journey, although tragic, I feel like the way it plays out is something that is grounded in reality. My favourite upcoming character is from an as yet unannounced project, Sara. But more on her when the timing is right.
8. Which is your least favourite? Why?
I don’t have a least favourite character as such; I have had difficult characters. One being Barbara from Spirals of Grey. She was a character who was quite stubborn, she wouldn’t act or do what I wanted her to do, mainly because it wasn’t in her personality to do certain things, so this led to many re-writes to fit in with her.
9. What is the scariest/weirdest experience you have ever had personally?
Life in general can be quite terrifying. There have been a few encounters that I couldn’t explain away easily. I have always been interested in the paranormal and have had the experience of seeing a few apparitions in my life so far. There have been times when I have been reading and something strange happens. For example, I was reading The Exorcist and when reading the possession scene, the lights in the room began to flicker. Bad electrics? Maybe, though it hasn’t done it since.
10. There seems to be a vague theme of houses or home running through, ‘New Fears Unlocked.’ Was that deliberate?
It wasn’t deliberate, although I guess I like to create fear in safe spaces, which for most in home. New Fears Unlocked! was created as four unconnected stories, although the theme of houses or home is cool, ill take that.
11. Have you ever stayed in a haunted house or home?
I have and I love the experiences I have had. One of my inspirations for ‘House’ was due to a house I grew up in. Especially the character of the man in the hat. I used to say to my parents about a man who came into my room and sat at the end of my bed, years later a neighbour said that she had seen the same man walking through her kitchen, so must be something in it.
12. Do you believe in ghosts?
Definitely. My answer to this question is never anything different.
13. ‘Paralysis’ is a story I think many people could relate to. Have you ever experienced sleep paralysis yourself?
I have. When my anxiety gets really going, I do suffer from sleep paralysis. It is such a terrifying experience. You literally cannot move and have no reaction to things going on around you. I have wanted to write something about these experiences for a while, which is why ‘Paralysis’ exists. I knew exactly what the character was feeling and thinking and her tricks to bounce from the experience is tricks I have used.
14. What do you like to do to relax or have fun?
It may seem quite boring but when I am not writing, I’m normally reading. I read mainly horror but do read thrillers and other genres as well. I also like walking, this helps with my mental health also, so it has dual purpose. I also have an obsession with Disney, so I’m either watching movies or planning a Disney trip.
15. What are your plans for the future in terms of writing?
I have so many plans for the future. New Fears Unlocked! is of course my current project I’m focussing on. Once that book is out, I have already one other project in editing. I have also finished a first write up of another. I have literally not stopped; the ideas keep coming. I have a document which I update regularly of upcoming projects, and I currently have twelve in the pipeline, although nothing comes quick, so this will keep me occupied for the next few years, so watch my socials for all the exciting announcements.
16. When can we expect a new release?
New Fears Unlocked! will be coming this year, 2025. I do have a date pencilled in, but I can’t officially announce this yet, but I am overflowing with excitement with this project. It started as a small project of short stories, but has turned into a much bigger machine, which has attracted exciting attachments which I cant wait to share with the world.
17. Where can your readers find you? Include as many links as you like.
Readers can find my work on Amazon which can be purchased in paperback, my work is also on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.
Amazon.co.uk: M Purkiss: books, biography, latest update
For all updates and news, I am currently active on the following social media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mpurkissauthor
Instagram: m.purkiss_author
TikTok: @m.purkiss.author
LinkedIn: M Purkiss
M. Purkiss grew up in Hampshire, England. Studying at the local schools and colleges.
Growing up I found it difficult writing and reading and was taught through special workbooks which used basic language and grammar. Despite this I wanted to be a writer. I soon found myself reading book after book and though I still find writing difficult, I have managed to write and publish books.
Entity was released in 2015, and this was followed by Entity 2 & 3 in 2016,2017. I took a long break in which time I moved from Hampshire to South Wales. It wasn’t until 2024 when I re-released Entity as Entity: The Complete Trilogy and used that as a starting point to pursue a full-time writing commitment along with a full-time job. In October 2024 I released Spirals of Grey, and the writing is moving full steam ahead.
I have had many exciting experiences since my re-release of entity, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025. I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone. I have built up an amazing support network around me so am fortunate.
If you want to pursue a dream my advice is to take the time and just do it. I have, and if nothing becomes of the final work, at least I can say that I have realised one of my dreams and tried.
Introductory Horror Poetry - Meeting M. Purkiss
Had the pleasure of meeting a local indie author, M. Purkiss this morning. https://www.facebook.com/mpurkissauthor Always great to connect with like-minded horror readers and writers. Why not take a minute to check out his work? Further to that meeting, I was given the privilege of writing introductory horror poetry for his upcoming horror short story collection. Keep your eyes open for this release, coming soon... #newfearsunlocked #horrorshortstories #mpurkiss
Come watch me do a reading from ‘Sisters’ on TikTok!
I have done a quick reading from Hag’s Breath: A Collection of Witchcraft and Wickedness, from the story ‘Sisters.’ Come and take a look at my warts and all, should have left it to the experts (aka Paula Hines) reading if you feel like it! Here’s the link: https://www.tiktok.com/@spoldhamauthor/video/7501325327776369942?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7497245378624210454
A Research Question - Victorian Apothecaries and the Sale of Contraception
Hi, me again! Hope you are all well.
Does anyone out there happen to have knowledge of the purchase of contraceptives from apothecaries in the late 1800’s, in the UK? Or just knowledge about apothecaries of that era in general? If so, I have one or two very specific questions I would love to ask of you, if I may. Google just doesn’t seem to be quite up to it!
Thank you. I hope to be back here soon with more writing news.
S P
Updates and News from Me
Hello everyone, how is your January going? I have had such a lot going on in the background that, sadly, I have not had as much time to keep up to date with my online commitments as I would like. I have also struggled to find the time to write, though I have finally got back on track with a book I started two years ago!
I am still doing Silly Sunday Zombie Limericks, and I intend to keep going with them for as long as I am able. I enjoy writing them and I like to think that people enjoy reading them, too. They are just a bit of daft fun, which we all need, now and then.
Because of so many demands on the personal front, I am putting Guest Interviews on hold for a while. Ditto newsletters, unless there is something important, exciting or special I want to share.
Just thought I would keep you up to date. To those of you who continue to support me, thank you. It means the world.
S P Oldham
Happy New Year for 2025
Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
Not necessarily prosperous in the materialistic sense, though most of us could do with some extra cash these days. I mean ‘prosperous’ in all the areas of your life that you want to grow, evolve, improve or change for the better. I think it is important to make that clarification.
Speaking for us, we know that the year ahead promises changes and challenges for us as a family that we would rather not be facing. At least we have fair warning, and can anticipate some of those changes. We will get through it. As for the rest, the things that none of us can see coming, let’s just hope that they are good, or at the very least they leave us stronger for having faced them.
I wish the same for all of you. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. I will keep writing because it is who and what I am, even though most of the ‘reading world’ so to speak, don’t even know who I am!
If you’re still with me, thank you with all my heart.
Happy New Year!
S P Oldham
Save Llancaich Fawr!
Llancaiach Fawr at Risk of Closure
Caerphilly council is proposing to ‘mothball’ stunning Tudor mansion Llancaiach Fawr, in an effort to save money. There are a lot of voices raised against this, and against the imminent closure of Blackwood Miner’s Institute in Blackwood.
The manor house is such a community hub, offering a wide variety of events, workshops, ghost tours etc… as well as meals in their lovely restaurants, the Lounge and the Conservatory. Apart from anything else, it seems to me that rather than saving money, they will be cutting off a means of bringing money in, not to mention the loss of jobs when those currently employed there lose their positions.
That this is even being contemplated is unbelievable to me. Llancaiach Fawr is always so popular, you have to get in quick if you want to take part in their events. Especially at Christmas, when the house is even more beautiful than ever. I understand the need to budget, money is tight and so on, but to close down such an historically important venue that brings money in makes no sense to me. All of which also applies to Blackwood Miner’s Institute. I have enjoyed several shows there. My little granddaughter has seen shows and pantomimes there. The thought of losing it makes me very sad.
It is worth noting that the same council also proposed stopping a meal delivery service, which delivers meals to some of the most vulnerable people in the community, again in a bid to save money. Why does it always seem to be the case that the most needy are the first to suffer? Thankfully, this proposal has recently been reversed.
The word ‘mothballing’ bothers me here. I have a feeling that once mothballed, these places will remain closed permanently, being sold off to some rich developer or private buyer or something.
Something similar happened years ago now, to a building called Insole Court in Radyr, Cardiff. That wonderful place was saved by the community and is now a thriving hub, with all kinds of amazing things going on there, including a community garden, which I personally think is fabulous. If they saved Insole Court, then they can save Llancaiach Fawr and Blackwood Miner’s Institute too.
I will watch carefully, with fingers crossed, to see what happens regarding this important and beautiful buildings. I hope that when I report back, it will be with good news. Surely, there are other ways the council could cut back, without causing such upset and damage to the communities involved, and without depriving necessary causes such as schools, medical facilities and so on. I hope so.
https://blackwoodminersinstitute.com
Llancaiach Fawr by S P Oldham
FREE READ Christmas 2024
Christmas free read 2024
Your free read for Christmas 2024 is in Portfolios#2. Lots of other free reads here, t I hope you enjoy it. Have a very happy, safe and heathy Christmas!
Give Me a Monster
Enjoy your free Halloween read here: https://www.spoldhamauthor.com/portfolios/christmasandhalloweenfreereads
Thoughts and comments welcome. Happy Halloween, stay safe out there.
Elementary Undead - Alice B. Sullivan
Pre-order now for only 99c!
For fans of The Walking Dead, 28 Weeks Later, and the gripping, critically acclaimed video game and television series The Last of Us comes a white-knuckle story of survival in the face of unfathomable horror… Elementary Undead. When classmates and teachers suddenly develop a ravenous appetite for human flesh, thirteen-year-old Karly Weiss soon realizes fighting her favorite meant-to-be fictional monster isn't as easy as the movies make it seem. She and her ragtag group of friends will have to find a way to survive the zombie-infested halls of Renn Elementary until this nightmare ends. If it ever will. https://bookgoodies.com/a/B0DK2NH9D1
Competition Winners September 2024
Thanks to everyone who entered my recent competition. I realised, far too late, that there was a problem with the link, so if you tried to enter but couldn't I can only apologise. I will make it up to you by running another competition very soon.
The winners this time are:
Marc Ahearne
Ian Mabberley
Lauren
Paul Lodge
Michael Daly
I really enjoyed reading your witty, dark and creative responses. I will be in touch very soon to arrange sending you your codes.
Thanks again everyone.
S P Oldham
Don’t miss the Monster Giveaway on Written Undead!
Written Undead’s Monster Giveaway!
“Before the end of the month we will be starting a festival of giveaways for members of the Written Undead. There will be loads of authors, and not just the featured authors that you know so well.”
Want to be part of this? Join us on Facebook and get commenting. Then cross your fingers and hope to win. That’s all you need do to be in with a chance.
Good luck!
COMPETITION TIME!
To be in with a chance to win an Audible code for https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01C04VGUG 'Wakeful Children: A Collection of Horror and Supernatural Tales’ simply tell me in the comments, who put this skull there? Who does it belong to? Why is it there? The most amusing, scary, intriguing, original or downright ridiculous answer (in my opinion) will win! I have five codes to offer, so five potential winners. Let's get those imaginations going!
You can answer here or on my Facebook page but please don't enter on both platforms as it causes confusion. Thanks.
Competition in no way associated with Facebook. Ends Midnight GMT on Saturday August 31st 2024. No cash or other prize alternative. Unclaimed codes will be 'rolled over' to secondary winners after two weeks if winners cannot be contacted. Please consider reviewing! Thank you and good luck!
Shout out to the wonderful Nantybeddgarden Abergavenny for the inspiration! #competition #horrorfic #audiblebooks #audible #AudibleCodes
#Horrorfiction #giveaway #darkfiction #spoldhamauthor
Life, its’ changes and how it changes you.
2024 thus far has been a year full of tragedy and sadness - for me, for close family and for close neighbours. Never before has life taught me more blatantly that we can take nothing for granted; not tomorrow, not next week, not even the next few minutes.
I am not talking about one catastrophic event which has affected all these people. No, I am talking about numerous sudden, awful occurrences which have resulted, sadly, in serious illness, brutal surgery and in loss of life. In two instances this was hard on the heels of awful diagnoses that gave little hope, but it was still believed the people concerned would have some time left at least. Unfortunately, this did not turn out to be true.
Then we have the extremely vulnerable victim of crime, held practically at ransom for three or four days in her own home on my street, by two especially rancid individuals who were, thankfully, caught and arrested.
There are myriad other problems interwoven around all of this. I am not a child. I know life gets hard, it gets challenging and shit happens, but I have never known a time like it. The wonderful title, ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ comes close to describing it, if you were to swap the word ‘unfortunate’ for ‘tragic.’
Still, I am known for being something of a relentless optimist. Even now, I still hope that things can get better. That there can be some joy to come out of all this sadness. That the changes that are to come can bring good things with them, things that might otherwise have never been addressed. Time will tell.
I wanted to share my photo of this beautiful headstone, taken in a small cemetery in Laugharne. I don’t know whose final resting place this is, but I hope they are indeed resting in peace. The words seem to sum it all up perfectly.
I have been deliberately vague, not using names of the people I refer to. This is because I would hate to inadvertently add to anyone’s hurt. I hope that, should anyone close to them read this, they find some small comfort in this gentle epitaph, and know that I am thinking of them.
Take care everyone, life is short.
S P Oldham
Halloween Fairs in the UK; do they exist and would you attend one if they did?
I recently put this in my newsletter. I would really like to know your thoughts on this, so leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thank you.
For a while now I have been considering the possibility of organising a local Halloween Fair. I envisage inviting local craftspeople and creators whose work has a dark, gothic or even outright horror feel. Of course, there is an ulterior motive here, I would like to promote my own work, but I can’t help wondering if others out there might appreciate a fair or fete of this sort. Steampunk trinkets, Gothic candles, darkly scented joss sticks, as well as literal dark art, books, cards. Even locally grown pumpkins in preparation for the big day! Have you ever been to anything like this, in the UK? Anywhere else in the world? Would you attend such a thing yourself?
Image: Bruno Guerrero via Unsplash (via Squarespace.)
Murder Trial Live! The Jack Brewer Trial.
Murder Trial Live - The Jack Brewer Case
We went to the Jack Brewer ‘Murder Trial’ live event in Caerphilly on Saturday 11th May 2024. We had loads of fun! What a novel concept for an unusual and interesting evening out. We sat in groups of 12, with strangers, just as you would in an actual jury. Of course, the atmosphere was one of light entertainment and fun, but we did have to deliberate the case with the facts that were presented to us.
Cleverly put together, with a court, dock, witness stand etc. Some of the actors are ex-barristers (some of them have quite an impressive acting portfolio, too!) which lends to the authenticity of the event. Some ‘witnesses’ joined us via Zoom or similar. I could have stayed there a couple of hours longer and had more weighty evidence to ponder, but that’s just me..
Based loosely on the real-life killers Jeffrey Dahmer and Dennis Nielsen, Jack Brewer has been implicated in the deaths of three people, and potentially in the deaths of up to twenty-eight people in total. His flat is full of gruesome evidence, but did he do it?
The idea is that each individual juror within their jury group returns their own verdict. Every group then hands in their verdicts and an overall verdict is calculated from that. In our case, it resulted in a hung jury. We may well have let a serial killer back out onto the streets. The judge did admonish him that he could be recalled to trial if anything else comes to light or further charges are pressed, but will we even be able to find Jack Brewer, then?
The CEO came out at the end of the night to thank us for attending. The show was hit hard by Covid and they are working 24/7 to make a success of it. Bear in mind we were on farmland, in a massive inflatable tent, and everything was put together, hastily (he was honest about that) in the space of a day. I think they will go from strength to strength personally. I will certainly go again when someone else is in the dock. There is even a chance for one juror to win a £50 bar tab, and at the end of the night everyone was given an ‘Angry Barrister’ shot, compliments of the CEO. Can’t say fairer than that!
A great night out. I watch a lot of real life trials so this was right up my street. Give it a try if you fancy something different for a change. There was a bar, street food, toilets and parking, which you can book in advance.
Coming May 1st 2024…
Image: Narrator, Kevin Redson
Keep your eyes peeled for my interview with Narrator Kevin Redson, coming soon on the ‘This Month’s Guest Author Page,’ right here on S P Oldham, Author!
I am also excited to showcase author Alice B. Sullivan, writer of the Aftermath series!
“The Aftermath series, a zombie apocalypse series full of conspiracy, deception, betrayal, redemption, desperation, and will… https://bookgoodies.com/a/B09HNB72DS “When the world falls apart, it doesn’t matter how. It’s who’s left to rebuild.” -Sadie Gallagher A world ravaged by a virus. An endless war against the infected. Crudely built walls to force them out. Humanity has won for the most part. Too bad there's more to the virus than meets the eye.”
Alice B. Sullivan was born and raised in a quiet town in upstate New York, where she spent way too much time pondering zombie apocalypse scenarios. When she isn’t chasing things that go bump in the night, Alice is writing about different ways the world could end.
The ‘Wolf’ in ‘Sleep, Think, Die:’ My Response to a Reviewer’s Question.
Image credit: Unsplash. The ‘Wolf’ in ‘Sleep, Think, Die.’ My Response to a Reviewer’s Question. S P Oldham
After reading Book One in the Mindless Trilogy (thank you to the reader) someone commented in their review that wolves are not native to the UK. This is an excerpt from the part of the story that prompted that comment:
“Who knows?” She shrugged, “Never seen one before, though God knows we’ve seen plenty of other weird things round these parts,” she and Harry exchanged a look.
“What if it’s infected?” Lavender suddenly piped up, a worried expression on her face.
“What, like zombie-infected you mean?” Glenda paused, chewing her lip thoughtfully, “I don’t know. I’ve never seen any zombie-like animals. Have you?”
Carson and Lavender both shook their heads no.
“Did it act like it was some kind of four-legged zombie before it came at you?”
This to Carson, whose response was immediate, “No way! It was very much alive, believe me, when it was standing on the bank, snarling! But what the hell is it? It looks wolf-like, but its fangs and face are something else,”
Bumper, who had sat down awkwardly to lean against the guard around the manhole cover, said, “Maybe it is the result of a wolf mating with some kind of big domestic dog, a guard dog even. When the outbreak first began, I don’t think people’s first thoughts were for their animals! There was no time. What if, sometime since then, a wolf mated with, oh I don’t know, a mastiff, or a Cane Corso or something? That would be one hell of a canine to deal with!””
As I said, the reader is absolutely right to point out that wolves are not currently wild in the UK, though of course, historically they did exist here. However, what I was trying to get at in the story, admittedly somewhat obliquely, is that in the event of a zombie apocalypse it is very likely that animals held in captivity, such as zoos, rescue centres, sanctuaries, animal hospitals and so on, might well suffer neglect, abandonment or worse due to their keepers being turned, eaten or simply running the hell away! If they are lucky, perhaps they would be released into the wild to survive on their own. Everyone for themselves, type of thing. One last good thing their keepers could try to do for them before turning to matters of their own survival.
I admit that I don’t go into that in depth in the story, it is only briefly implied, but I didn’t think it was that big a deal. I never imagined a reader might expect me to expand on the existence of this Wolfdog species further (Wolfdogs do exist in the UK by the way. This from the PDSA: In the UK, F1 generation Wolfdogs where one parent is a wolf are subject to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 and require a licence to own. It is legal to own a Wolfdog as long as they are three generations (F3) away from the original parent wolf. )
So, the wolf-like dog that attacks Carson on the riverbank could well have been a Wolfdog that had somehow got free and was surviving alone in the apocalypse. Perhaps it was a combination of a Wolfdog with another breed, as suggested by Bumper. Or some other wolf-like breed altogether. What do you think the dog could be? What kind of breed? Where could it have come from?
I am afraid that I must let this reviewer down here and now (spoiler alert) and say that there is no further reference to wolves in the story, though wild dogs do feature later in the trilogy.
I don’t normally respond to observations in reviews. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and honestly, I am just grateful to anyone who takes the time to read my stories and then review them, whether they like my work or not. To the reader who reviewed with the comment about the wolf, thank you so much for taking the time and effort to comment, to read the book and to address the appearance of something wolf-like in the story. I appreciate your interest and the fact that you gave my story such thought and attention. I really hope you go on to read the other two books in the trilogy and that you enjoy them. I look forward to any more observations and I am sincerely flattered that anyone took the time. Thank you.
Should anyone be interested in the potential rewilding of wolves in the UK, perhaps take a look at this link. At present, there seems to be no projects underway to rewild wolves, because “society is not ready.” Quote from Rewilding Britain’s website: https://www.rewildingbritain.org.uk/reintroductions-key-species/key-species/eurasian-wolf
PDSA, The Vet Charity for Pets in Need, has some interesting advice for owning hybrid dogs and cats, including Wolfdogs, here: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/all-pets/hybrid-breeds
Lastly, should you happen to love wolves and are interested in helping them or simply learning more about them, take a look at Wolf Watch UK’s website here: https://wolfwatch.uk/
Image Credit: Wolf Watch UK (as featured on their website.)
Competition Winner!
Winner of S P ldham’s Mystery Bumper Prize March 2024
I am very pleased to announce that the winner of my most recent competition for a bumper prize including two Audible codes is...
Champaklal Lad!
Congratulations!
Thank you to everyone who entered. I run regular competitions, so keep checking back. In the meantime, why not take a look at Wakeful Children, Hag's Breath or any of my other books? On Kindle and Audible, Wakeful Children is also available in paperback. Or, drop me a line on my blog!
Thanks everyone, have a great day/evening/night, wherever you are!
Winner picked by random name picker wheel spinner.