"What is Fantasy Fiction?" with English fantasy author Neil Mach

Neil is a multi-time NaNoWriMo champion who has written over 15 books that have been both traditionally & independently published. During National Novel Writing Month, he coaches budding writers when he argues that originality of thought is preferable to the formal rules of language.

Neil likes to concentrate his attention on the liminal space between hard reality & fantasy. Neil combines philosophical intelligence with a desire to explore the human need to imagine alternate worlds, fantastic beings, magical powers, and helpful mythologies. Neil approaches the field of fantasy development with pragmatic thinking: he provides evidence for how, why, and even where our fantasies come from. He talks about how to become an effective and competent fiction writer and how to maximise the possibilities of a creative and expressive mind. He has performed guest appearances on assorted high-profile programmes and podcasts.

Neil's 45–60 minute illustrated talk, "What is Fantasy Fiction?" explores the "need" for fantasy creation in humans and explains the fundamental definitions of the genre.

He tackles:

What is the essential ingredient of fantasy? What is fantasy fiction? What is liminality? What is a liminoid experience? What's the difference between myth and fairytale? What is the definition of magical? What is the difference between high fantasy and low fantasy?

Available from November 2023

Detectives: The Real Story with English crime-fiction author Neil Mach

Neil's recruitment into the London Metropolitan Police Service took place in 1976. After moving over to the Department of Environment in 1988, he later moved on to other executive agencies where he continued to work in law enforcement capacities, most notably as the manager of a crime squad. In 2006, he was reassigned to the Home Office. During his time working in investigations, Neil received numerous accolades and awards, including multiple commendations.

Having taken an oath to serve, Neil has strong opinions about loyalty and he enjoys examining the moral dilemmas that are caused by faulty allegiances. He also has deeply held opinions about the concept of duty and how the “debt of duty” should be balanced by society. Neil delves into the twin themes of loyalty and duty in most of his books and in his talk Detectives: The Real Story he examines questions like:

Why are detective novels so popular? What is the history of crime fiction?
What are the main differences between fictional detectives and 'real life' police detectives? Do real-life private investigators actually get to solve crime? Is solving the crime as a reader anything like solving crime as a detective? What makes a crime novel interesting? What mistakes do some crime fiction authors keep on making?

Avaiable from January 2024

Rocking Surrey with English music journalist Neil Mach

Neil Mach was born & raised in ‘Rockin’ Surrey,’ He enjoys boasting he was born the same year that The Cavern Club in Liverpool opened, and that Elvis rocked the Jailhouse, and Lennon & McCartney met at a church fete.

Neil underwent training in ballet, tap dancing, and stage performance during his early schooldays and as a result, he appeared on stage and in many famous musicals.

In the mid-1970’s, at the beginning of the disco 'revolution' Neil set-up a mobile disco with his Surrey pals. Their disco was a triumph!

Since his retirement from public service, Neil has been "writing for rock" and has become a well-known and internationally recognised author/journalist in the music business. He founded the 'Rock Pen' school for aspiring music writers and has written for any number of prestigious magazines, newsheets, and blogs. Neil has covered hundreds of music festivals and concerts, has published thousands of reviews, and he has interviewed numerous well-known figures.

In 2021 he presented a much-praised exhibition and he delivered an accompanying talk on the 'Coronation Charts' i.e. the first ever pop charts in British music history (these charts coincided with Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne.)

And available from January 2024, Neil will offer his 45–60 minute illustrated talk, titled Rocking Surrey: A History of Suburban Rock 'n' Roll

His talk explores why the County of Surrey has been such a creative landscape for rock artists. He explains why he thinks so much talent has come from leafy suburbia. For example, the world's best musicians, including punk rock idols, heros of progressive rock, world famous supergroups — even the Beatles — and of course the Rolling Stones, have all lived, worked, and found fame in Surrey.

His Rocking Surrey talk is a personal history of popular music with revelations along the way, but it's also a study into how the 'Beverly Hills' of Britain helped influence & define the history of rock 'n' roll.

Personal details: Neil descibes himself as a 'hippy grandad!' He lives with is wife Sue on the River Thames, in Surrey, England. He has two grown-up daughters and two grandchildren. His hobbies are gardening and cooking.

Significant podcast episodes:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/josiane-fortin7/episodes/80-Where-Fantasy-Authors-Ought-to-Begin-e1igc4n/a-a2ks2ah

https://www.spreaker.com/user/tomreaoch/neil-mach-author-so-you-want-to-write-fa

TV appearances:

The Repossible Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fStjDjkV9M&t=114s&pp=ygUJbmVpbCBtYWNo

The Self Publishing Queen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMmaTR7SSZ0&t=16s&pp=ygUJbmVpbCBtYWNo