Mike Turner

Mike spent years 'slave to the grind' before venturing out into the world of fantasy and fiction. Like any self-respecting bookworm he devoured stories with a most voracious appetite, intrigued by the hooks that compel pages to be turned.

Armed with a Diploma in Literature & Creative Writing, and having attended a multitude of courses and workshops run by professional tutors and acclaimed published authors, he began tapping into a wealth of exciting new ideas. Engaging short stories soon evolved into more elaborate full-length novels. After all, it is what he had wanted to do all along.

Employing a fine cinematic approach with focus on uncomplicated narratives, lively dialogue, and strong characterisation, Mike delivers entertaining, page-turning stories driven by plot.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

THRILL SEEKER

(long-listed and ‘Highly Commended’ at The Yeovil Literary Prize)

PEOPLE ARE STRANGE

(long-listed in Nottingham Writers' Club National Short Story Competition)

HOBNAIL BOOTS & CANDY FLOSS

(short-listed in The Writing Magazine’s Writers’ Circle Anthology Award)

NO STRINGS ATTACHED

(published on the CafeLitMagazine website)

HE KILLINGHALL SNATCH

(published on the Harrogate 36 Stories website)

I CAN STILL HEAR THE BULLETS

(published on WoWfest’s The Ninth Planet competition website)

FEATURED ON 'WELCOME TO JODI TAYLOR BOOKS'

Author of the Month and Book Reviews:

Author interview with Mike Turner, Author of The Many Worlds Bazaar

FEEDBACK FROM LITERARY AGENTS:

‘Both xx and I have read your opening chapters and we really enjoyed them and thought that the writing style was very engaging and the details and descriptions really brought the story to life.’

Darley Anderson [THRILL SEEKER]

‘…there was much to admire…’

Conville and Walsh [THRILL SEEKER]

‘…well written and with a strong storyline… We may be starting a digital-first imprint soon, and I would be happy to put this forward for it … but, as I am sure you know, this deserves more.’

Holland House [THRILL SEEKER]

‘I think the writing’s really strong … it really shines…’

DinsdaleImber [THRILL SEEKER]

'We've read your submission for THRILL SEEKER and are really interested in reading more' ...'The concept is a very interesting one.'

The Burning Chair [THRILL SEEKER]

‘Your submission caught my eye so I read it straight away. I enjoyed The Many Worlds Bazaar. It had an interesting premise.’

Skylark [THE MANY WORLDS BAZAAR]

‘…there is much I admire about your work…’

Rogers, Coleridge & White [THE MANY WORLDS BAZAAR]

‘We enjoyed your writing.’

Bell Lomax Moreton [THE MANY WORLDS BAZAAR]

‘…we enjoyed reading your submission, which stood out from the many we receive…’

Curtis Brown [THE MANY WORLDS BAZAAR]

‘I’ve read the pages you gave me and really enjoyed them. Your narrative is particularly strong and it has a great commercial feel.’

Darley Anderson [THE ONE]

‘I do strongly believe you are a talented writer with great potential.’

Darley Anderson [SHADOW TRIGGER]

ADMIRED AUTHORS:

Mick Herron, Simon Kernick, Lee Child, Stephen King, Harlan Coben, Tess Gerritsen, Linwood Barclay, David Baldacci, Kazuo Ishiguro, J.K. Rowling, Cixin Liu, Shari Lapena, Will Carver, Sophie Kinsella, Naomi Klein, Richard Laymon, Stephen Leather, and Ken Follett among many others.

FAVOURITE READS:

THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH (Ken Follett)

THE THREE BODY PROBLEM (Cixin Liu)

WOLF HALL (Hilary Mantel)

I AM PILGRIM (Terry Hayes)

GREAT EXPECTATIONS (Charles Dickens)

THE REMAINS OF THE DAY (Kazuo Ishiguro)

THE ALCHEMIST (Paulo Coelho)

THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER & CLAY (Michael Chabon)

HIS DARK MATERIALS (Phillip Pullman trilogy)

THE CENTURY TRILOGY (Ken Follett)

DARK MATTER (Blake Crouch)

NOTHING IMPORTANT HAPPENED TODAY (Will Carver)

BIRDSONG (Sebastian Faulks)

NEVER SAW IT COMING (Linwood Barclay)

BREATH (Tim Winton)

IT (Stephen King)

LOOK IN THE MIRROR (Catherine Steadman)

THE EXPATS (Chris Pavone)

I'VE GOT YOUR NUMBER (Sophie Kinsella)

THE NIGHT CIRCUS (Erin Morgenstern)

VENDETTA (Dreda Say-Mitchell)

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Oscar Wilde)

AFTERLIFE (Marcus Sakey)

THE SENSE OF AN ENDING (Julian Barnes)

THE VANISHING ACT OF ESME LENNOX (Maggie O'Farrell)