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

LINK

 

Where to from here?

 

Eight novels under my belt, so where to now? Another novel? A new collection of poetry? Or maybe something else?

Shortly after publishing a book, there is a vacuum, a sense of helplessness as you wait for feedback, which, of course, as well as being constructive, you hope will be positive. How many of my regular readers can I keep hold of? How many new readers might my new novel attract?

The questions will continue until the next project wrestles its way into the grey matter. And this is where the helplessness sets in. All the time I’m writing, I feel I can truly identify as an author. As soon as each book is published, the void comes. I won’t feel like an author again until the writing process recommences.

As time passes, there is always a nagging doubt that I might never find the inspiration for another book. Of course, ideas come and go, but it is essential that I choose something I am comfortable with. Yes, I am looking to write something completely different from all my other titles. At present, I’m not sure where that journey will take me.

One day, hopefully, something will just click. The research mechanism will kick in, and the nucleus of something new will evolve into print. Until then, you can check out all my novels at www.malfoster.co.uk

Book Signing - Betrayal of the Soul - 24 July 2026

 

Many thanks to those who attended my book signing event at the Garibaldi in Knaphill yesterday. There was a steady flow of people during the two-hour slot, and it was great to meet both new readers and those who have read all my titles.

Thanks also to Martin Durrad, landlord of the pub, for helping to host the event.

Mal and Louise

Mal and Kay                                                Chris, Don, Mal

Maeva and Mal                                           Mal and Paul                            

Above are just a few of the valiant souls who attended. If for some reason you couldn't attend, books are available via Amazon HERE 

Publicity - Betrayal of the Soul

 

For the last few months, a guy called Stefan has been distributing a local online newsletter, The Woking Weekly which has been going from strength to strength.  I'm indebted to him for the following piece in this week's edition.

More information about 'Betrayal of the Soul' is available at www.malfoster.co.uk 

Is Betrayal of the Soul, an autobiography in disguise? asks Kathy Kelso

Well, here we are again. I’m with Mal Foster, talking to him about his forthcoming novel, ‘Betrayal of the Soul.’ Having read an early draft of the manuscript, I can confirm that Mal really does know how to deliver the WOW factor.

Mal, who has been revelling in the success of his previous book, ‘In the Shadow of Marc Bolan’, for the past two years, has somehow found the time to write something that is more than just profound. Something that is thought-provoking and definitely something people will talk about. Here’s the blurb…

Johnny Tinder 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. As with many other poor souls, Johnny’s life had been mapped out for him by negative events that occurred during childhood and throughout his adolescent years.

Now in his late forties, Johnny finally realises it is time to step back, reflect, and work out how to change his ways. He doesn't like the person he has become. Johnny has never forgotten Catherine, a girl he describes as ‘the love of my life’, whom he unceremoniously dumped some twenty years earlier. He wants to put things right, but he feels his long-lost love will almost certainly reject him if he attempts to re-enter her life. In a harrowing twist, he faces a situation far, far worse than that! 

So, Mal, what inspired you to write something that seems very personal?

“Firstly, I must emphasise that this is purely a work of fiction. It is a novel, after all. What made me want to write the story? I don’t know. Maybe there was something lurking in my subconscious, waiting to get out.”

I get the feeling ‘Betrayal of the Soul’ is your autobiography in disguise?

Ha, ha. You know me too well. I’ve said many times that I’ve always believed in the notion that I should write what I know. It’s always worked well for me, and it is the same advice I would pass on to any aspiring writers, still pondering the pros and cons of storytelling and seeing their work in print.

The book hits on some very sensitive subject matter. What on earth…?

Mal interrupts. “It does. Having reached the age I’m at, I now feel comfortable looking back and sharing some of my life’s experiences. Yes, some of them I have encountered myself. Other storylines are slightly exaggerated, and others are simply based on wishful thinking. All that said, the book is NOT about me. Well, not the current me. My protagonist, Johnny Tinder, is perhaps a younger version of myself, although when I was in my late forties, I think my own life had settled down a bit by then.”

How do you create your characters?

“I think of people I know, or used to know. I match their personalities. Sometimes I may merge two people into one. Zac Merrick, the hippie-type, in 'Betrayal of the Soul', is a perfect example. Back in the seventies and eighties, I used to know a Dave and a Paul. Zac has elements of both of them in his character.”

And how do you come up with character names?

“Sometimes I ask my readers for suggestions. Zac Merrick is one such example. Some people even ask to have a character named after themselves. Often, I think back to the street where I grew up in Camberley. I used to know the names of everyone who lived in every house. In many of my novels, I’ve mixed their first and last names to come up with a new character.”

Given the subject matter in the book. I get the feeling you needed to open up your heart and get something out?

“Most definitely. Men my age clam up. Too proud perhaps to share how they feel. Many of us have led lives of regret and keep those misdemeanours to ourselves. We tend to stew on our frailties. What I’ve done here is to expose my inner self through the protagonist. The book is mostly about honesty and opening up. Accepting all that has gone wrong before and apologising to those affected.”

Is there such a thing as a midlife awakening?

“Yes. More commonly known as a midlife crisis, I believe all men go through one at some stage. Mine came late. It’s when you look back on the past and think about what you could have done differently. You also think about what you should have done and what you should not have done. It’s also about the realisation that age is taking its grip, 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.”

Do you think the book will sell well?

“Put it this way. I hope people will enjoy the book and understand its sentiment. I’m not in novel writing for the money. It’s simply a hobby. With regards to sales, if I break even, that’s great. Anything else is a bonus.”

Whom do you write for?

“Originally, I would have said just myself. Some of my regular readers tell me that they don’t read that many books, so I try to keep my writing simple and relatable. I always write in the first person, something I learnt to do when I played the part of Lt Joe Cable in an amateur stage version of South Pacific as far back as 1983. I like to get into the character of my protagonists. That way, I feel I’m speaking directly to my readers through them.”

Many of your readers say that they always like to “fight the corner” of your protagonists. How do you feel about that?

“Mission accomplished. If you write something, you want it to create a reaction. Any reaction proves that someone has taken the time to read my book. If they actually come to you with some positive feedback afterwards, that really is the proverbial icing on the cake.”

'Betrayal of the Soul’ is published by Publish Nation and is due out towards the end of June 2026. It will be available in paperback and Kindle formats on Amazon. 

Mal Foster was talking to Kathy Kelso – 12 June 2026