Signed Copies

One of the great pleasures of being an independent author is the opportunity to meet readers and anyone exploring my work for the first time. I have done this on several occasions at book launches and signing events following the publication of each of my novels. On top of that, I also get the opportunity to meet people at other gatherings, be they at joint events with other authors or even another author's own book signing.

Reader, Pat Lewis from Canada

 

This week, on Tuesday, during an impromptu signing, I had the pleasure of meeting Pat Lewis (pictured) from Canada, who flew back the following morning with a signed copy of each of my eight novels. If I can, I will always be on hand to talk about my books, receive feedback, and offer advice to any fledgling authors who are about to embark on their publishing journeys. 

Just so you know, signed copies are available from me at any time at just £8.00 each (plus P&P if applicable). Please email me at malfoster1956@gmail.com if you would like a copy (or copies).

Remember, you can find out more about all my novels at www.malfoster.co.uk 

 

The Wedding (Audio)

 

The Wedding is my most widely read poem, and was written a couple of years after I separated from my first wife, Nita. For reasons unknown, I never heeded my own warning and married twice more. Mick is the voice of the clergyman, while Shona, also from the band, is the disgruntled bride on the recording.

Pic: Free Shutterstock Image

THE WEDDING

 << PLAY HERE >>

What's the poem all about?... It's about the emphasis put on the day of the wedding and the fallout afterward when things go wrong. 

You can read a full selection of my poems on the website at www.malfoster.co.uk 

Platform 8 - Victoria (Audio)

 

Another poem from my 1987 collaboration with Mick Magic and his band, Magic Moments At Twilight Time.

Victoria Railway Station, London, 1975

PLATFORM 8 - VICTORIA

 << PLAY HERE >>

What's the poem about? During the 1970s, I travelled alone to Paris via Dover and Dunkirk on the night train and ferry a few times. One rainy night, my train was delayed at Victoria Station. I just saw myself as a mysterious young stranger, looking out from a train carriage at all the hustle and bustle.   

You can read a full selection of my poems on the website at www.malfoster.co.uk 

Preconception (Audio)

 

In 1987, I collaborated with Mick Magic (pictured right) with his band, Magic Moments At Twilight Time, to record a few of my poems. Over the next few days, I will be posting a short audio collection here, courtesy of Mick himself.

PRECONCEPTION

 << PLAY HERE >>

What’s the poem about? When I was in my early twenties, I began to wonder if I would ever have any kids, what they would be like, and, just as importantly, who their mother would be?… Of course, I know the answer to that question now! 

You can read a full selection of my poems on the website at www.malfoster.co.uk 

Intercepting the scammers

Shortly after the publication of Betrayal of the Soul in June, I was bombarded with a series of emails, supposedly from people claiming to be literary agents, and even one from a person masquerading as a representative of Magic Radio. Fortunately, I wasn’t caught out, but with thousands of scammers operating on social media, I realised it would be so easy for many unsuspecting independent authors to get sucked in. Piers Blofeld, a ‘proper’ literary agent who writes a monthly column for Writing Magazine, highlights the problem in their August issue.

My response appears in the September edition of the magazine...

INBOX SCAMMERS

“I’m pleased that Piers Blofeld has highlighted the problem of AI-generated critiques from scammers in his article, 'A Tool for Scammers,' (WM, August 2026). Indeed, I have also received emails with flattering comments about my latest novel, Betrayal of the Soul. To date, I have received three emails with very similar content. It appears the person(s) behind the scams have used the book’s synopsis to craft their spiel with AI. Any genuine critique writer would pick up on plots and characters from within the book, not only to give their own opinion but also for validation.

My initial suspicion was confirmed by several early warning signs. All the emails I have received have come from a Gmail.com address. Surely, any bona fide communique would come from an official company address? The use of long dashes, instead of commas or colons, in the text also suggests that the narrative has been processed by AI. Then, of course, there is the follow-up email, which, if you answer, you will notice the ‘catch’.

As Piers suggests, these people are only after my hard-earned cash, and as an independently published author, I don’t have too much of that. We have been warned!"

Mal Foster

 

In the news: Author Mal celebrates release of latest novel

 

Local author Mal Foster has just published his eighth novel, Betrayal of the Soul, a psychological tale of one person’s self-analysis. Much of the book is set in and around Woking, with scenes at The Loft Bar at the Hilton, Wetherspoons, the town’s coffee shops, and the Garibaldi in Knaphill. It was fitting, therefore, that Mal should hold his well-attended book signing event at the Knaphill pub last week.

Woking News & Mail - 30 July 2026

Explaining his inspiration for the book, Mal said, “Many men in middle age clam up. Too proud, perhaps, to share how they feel. Many of us look back and realise we may not have led the life we wished for. We think about things we should have done and those we should not have done. We tend to stew over our frailties. It’s also about the realisation that age is taking its grip and that it’s now too late to do certain things. Time is like a wrecking ball, and it's difficult to accept that certain elements of your life will, by default, change forever.”

Betrayal of the Soul tells the story of Johnny Tinder, a former local journalist and would-be private investigator waging a personal battle against himself. Now in his late forties, Johnny finally realises it is time to change his ways. He has never forgotten Catherine, whom he dumped some twenty years earlier and wants to put things right, but fears rejection if he attempts to re-enter her life. However, he will face a situation far worse than that.

Mal has lived in Knaphill since 1988. However, it wasn’t until 2015, shortly after retiring early from a 30-year railway career, that his first novel, The Asylum Soul, set at Brookwood Hospital in 1929, was published. The book’s success ensured that Mal would continue his writing journey.

Betrayal of the Soul is published by Publish Nation and is available in paperback and Kindle formats from Amazon. You can also find out more about Mal’s books at www.malfoster.co.uk

 

Reproduced courtesy: Woking News & Mail 30 07 26

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