Mal Foster has written seven novels, and his eighth, Betrayal of the Soul, will be published this summer. Many of his books tackle delicate subject matter, and some reviewers say readers will want to revisit them. A good tag for any author. Mal has always chosen to publish his work independently, saying he has never had the patience to wait for traditional publishers to get back with ‘their smarmy rejection letters’, as he puts it. Indeed, success has come in small doses for Mal, who regards his writing as a mere hobby. ‘If I was doing this for the money, I would be bitterly disappointed, as well as skint,’ he once told one interviewer. However, in a saturated market that publishes over 200,000 new novels in the UK each year, he’s not doing too badly.
Can you tell me about your background and what made you get into writing?
I was born in 1956 and now live in Knaphill, a village just outside Woking, with my grown-up son, who still isn't ready to pry himself away from the ‘Bank of Dad’. I first got into writing at 13 or 14 at boarding school. My first poems were published a couple of years later. I didn’t start writing novels until my late fifties.
You’ve had success with The Asylum Soul and In the Shadow of Marc Bolan. Which of your other novels do you feel deserves equal success?
I would like to say all of them. When you write a new book, you always want it to be your best. Subject matter is very important. The marketing process probably determines which books become most successful.
Have you learned from your early novels? Was there a realisation on your part, or a change of approach?
My debut, The Asylum Soul, set a benchmark. Many of my regular readers tell me it is still their favourite book. The writing had a certain naivety that, if I’m honest, isn't visible in any of my other titles. On the positive side, I am confident my writing has improved, and the feedback I have received on my other titles shows that.
Why is mental health a backdrop in most of your books?
Again, it stemmed from The Asylum Soul. I think Jude & Bliss is the only title without a mental health theme. ‘Write what you know', I’m persistently told. Yes, I’ve had my issues, and I’m also a qualified mental health first aider.
You've written novels and worked as a newspaper journalist. What is the difference between the two writing disciplines?
When writing newspaper articles, you have to stick to the facts. A rigid formula is one good editor will insist you follow. With novel writing, you get to have free rein; however, if you quote dates, locations, etc., you still need to be sure you’ve done the research.
How do you write?
On a laptop during quiet times at home. Inspiration often comes in the small hours when no one else is about.
Do you plan? Do you generally have a sense of the ending you’re heading towards, or do you dive straight into the unknown?
I always think about the ending before I start writing a novel. However, a couple of times, the ending has been entirely different from what I intended at the outset. It all depends on how the story unfolds and which new characters enter the scene.
Who or what are your major influences? Other books, films, writers, or even non-literary figures?
Leonard Cohen. His novels, poems, songs, and, most importantly, the man himself. There will never be another one like him.
What do you read? And perhaps equally importantly, given how much time a writer has to spend on writing and publicising, how do you find time to read it?
Here’s the bombshell. I’ve actually written more novels than I’ve read. Reading poetry and listening to music are more my thing.
What do you do for fun? (Not that writing can’t be fun.) How do you spend your time off?
I’ve supported Aldershot Town since I was young. Some things don’t change as you get older. Of course, I like a pint. If you’ve read any of my books, I suspect you’ve felt like you were on a virtual pub crawl.
Tell me about Betrayal of the Soul
It’s my eighth novel. The protagonist, Johnny Tinder, is, some might say, a younger version of myself. Johnny is the epitome of being one's own worst enemy. Indeed, the handsome yet ill-starred former local journalist and would-be private investigator wages a personal battle against himself amid a life of emotional turmoil, existential struggle, regrettable misdemeanours, and long-term despair. Like many other poor souls, Johnny’s life was mapped out for him by negative events in childhood and throughout his adolescence. It really does go on from there.
What’s next for you?
I really do need to see how Betrayal of the Soul performs. I love the energy I get from writing novels. However, as long as I can keep my loyal fanbase of regular readers, that will drive me to dream up the storyline(s) for any future book(s).
Mal Foster was talking to Sally Roast. 17 April 2026
