
The Bestseller Experiment
Join author and screenwriter Mark Stay with coach and entrepreneur Mark Desvaux, as they discover the secrets to writing a bestseller and challenge themselves and you to write, market and self-published a bestselling book in just one year. Each week, they are guided by and interview million-selling, chart-topping authors, publishers on the inside, editors, agents, social media specialists, and many more big names who play a part in the bestseller process. From the writing to marketing, plotting to publishing, learn the secrets to help you write your way to the top of the charts.
Latest episodes

Mar 3, 2018 • 2min
EP91: Options Part 1
Here are some clips of what is happening over on the Deep Dive at http://bestsellerexperiment.com/support

Mar 3, 2018 • 1h 14min
EP90: Ask The Two Marks
Braving snowmageddon, our monthly live show was recorded in London and Vancouver, with our audience of Patreon supporters. Featured listener questions include the secrets of metadata, author blogging, outlining, and crowdfunding. And there’s an update on Mark Stay’s book The End of Magic, which you can support here: bestsellerexperiment.com/endofmagic. To join us as an audience member at our next live recording, become a supporter today at: bestsellerexperiment.com/support In this episode you will discover… The dark secrets of metadata and how you can make it work for your books How you can make a blog work harder Tips for when you’re stuck on your outline Why you should celebrate weaknesses The pros and cons of present tense versus past tense We discover what “brain tabs” are, and we discuss top tips for avoiding distractions while writing To hear more of this episode in our deep dive, check out patreon.com/bestsellerexperiment Our novel Back To Reality is out now bestsellerexperiment.com/backtoreality

Feb 26, 2018 • 2min
EP89: Five Principles on 2nd Drafts Part 2
Here are some clips of what is happening over on the Deep Dive at http://bestsellerexperiment.com/support

Feb 26, 2018 • 45min
EP88: Unbound and The End of Magic
Mr. Stay has a new book coming! And it’s being published by Unbound Books who use a crowdfunding model. We discuss how it all works and how you, dear listener, can get involved at https://unbound.com/books/end-of-magic/ In this episode you will discover… How crowdfunding works in publishing Strategies for effective crowdfunding The discount code exclusive to our listeners And updates from our listeners, including one who has just secured a book deal with a major publisher! To hear more of this episode in our deep dive, check out patreon.com/bestsellerexperiment Our novel Back To Reality is out now bestsellerexperiment.com/backtoreality

Feb 19, 2018 • 3min
EP87: Five Principles on 2nd Drafts Part 1
Here are some clips of what is happening over on the Deep Dive at http://bestsellerexperiment.com/support

Feb 18, 2018 • 51min
EP86: Catriona Innes
We speak to the completely charming Catriona Innes, Senior Editor of Cosmopolitan, the UK’s best selling glossy magazine. Working on the features desk she writes, edits and commissions the long reads, fitness and career sections of Cosmopolitan, as well as heading up the books content. She’s currently working on Hearst’s inaugural books prize, Big Book, as well as writing her first fiction novel. In this episode you will discover… How books get those big magazine features Top tips for interviews (we took lots of notes) and how you can apply them to your writing The secrets of undercover and investigative journalism The benefits of setting up a writers' group And how you can get involved with the Big Book Festival and Prize To hear more of this episode in our deep dive, check out patreon.com/bestsellerexperiment Our novel Back To Reality is out now bestsellerexperiment.com/backtoreality

Feb 12, 2018 • 2min
EP85: Preview - Deep Dive - Five Principles to Rocket Your Word Count
Here are some clips of what is happening over on the Deep Dive at http://bestsellerexperiment.com/support

Feb 12, 2018 • 55min
EP84: Cass Green
We speak to Cass Green, bestselling author of The Woman Next Door and In a Cottage In a Wood who told us how a quick swim led to a change in direction for her career... In this episode you will discover… How writing for children can help writing for adults Strategies for writing for a living The “Therefore, but…” rule for outlining What a writer-in-residence actually does! To hear more of this episode in our deep dive, check out patreon.com/bestsellerexperiment Our novel Back To Reality is out now bestsellerexperiment.com/backtoreality

Feb 4, 2018 • 3min
EP83: Preview - Deep Dive - Creating Compelling Characters
Here are some clips of what is happening over on the Deep Dive at http://bestsellerexperiment.com/support

Feb 4, 2018 • 47min
EP82: Jen Williams - "Even Aliens Have Issues."
We speak to Jen Williams, writer of charismatic characters and founder of the Super Relaxed Fantasy Club. To hear more of this episode in our deep dive, check out patreon.com/bestsellerexperiment Our novel Back To Reality is out now bestsellerexperiment.com/backtoreality