21st Century Boy

The following article appears in the December 2025 issue of Writing Magazine

"The adrenaline rush from a flash of inspiration and the injection of ideas for a new novel, and then finally putting the proverbial pen to paper, for me, is always a thrill. After that, it’s an enjoyable rollercoaster ride through the research and writing processes leading to publication. Once published, it’s then all about promoting the book effectively…"  says author, Mal Foster

"My latest novel, In the Shadow of Marc Bolan, was published in July 2024. It’s a paranormal and psychological tale about the son of a Marc Bolan/T.Rex fan, also called Marc, who just happened to be born on the same day as the glam rock singer, was tragically killed in a car accident in September 1977, just two weeks shy of his 30^th birthday.

I’ve been a massive T.Rex fan since the early 1970s, and there are many of us still about. Before publication, I contacted the Official Marc Bolan Fan Club, whose membership exceeds 2.2k followers and the T.Rex Action Group, who care for Marc Bolan’s shrine at Barnes in South West London. I also sent courtesy information about my upcoming novel to Danielz, the lead singer of the official T.Rex tribute band, T.Rextasy, and to many others I considered Marc Bolan aficionados.

The response was terrific, and the book has been very well received and endorsed by those I initially contacted. A successful book launch and several personal appearances at various functions followed. The book also received a great plug and was given away as a prize on a popular American glam rock radio station." 

In the Shadow of Marc Bolan is available in paperback, hardcover and Kindle formats from Amazon.

 

Website: www.malfoster.co.uk

Courtesy Writing Magazine, December 2025 issue.

 

Local 'Star' Mal Foster Is A Novel Success

Local author Mal Foster's In the Shadow of Marc Bolan was published in July 2024. It’s a paranormal and psychological tale about the son of Marc Bolan/T.Rex fan, also called Marc, who just happened to be born on the same day the glam rock singer was killed in a horrific car accident in September 1977, just two weeks shy of his 30^th birthday.

Like all of Mal's novels, the book is set predominantly in the Woking area. The protagonist, Marc Abela, has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and is being treated at a fictional mental health clinic in Knaphill, Woking.

As they seek a diagnosis, specialists believe there could be a link between Marc’s current predicament and what had happened in his past. Could the spiritual influence of Marc Bolan be the real reason for what they believe is a ‘self-inflicted’ condition? Psychologist Hercules Brown and his colleagues pull out all the stops to find the answer.

The book has been very well received and endorsed by the Official Marc Bolan Fan Club and the T.Rex Action Group. The group look after Bolan's shrine in Barnes, SW London, near the spot where he sadly died. Among many others, Danielz, the lead singer of the official T.Rex tribute band, T.Rextasy, has also been very supportive of the book.

In the Shadow of Marc Bolan enjoyed a very successful book launch at the Garibaldi pub in Knaphill, back in January, and several personal appearances at various functions have since followed. Mal says, "I have also been fortunate enough to meet people who had a connection with the late glam rock icon during the early days of his career."

Courtesy: Round and About Magazine, October 2025 (Original Version)