Marlowe Edison | Updates

The Green Room

Marlowe Edison — Tue, 6 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

While I was planning and plotting Mastering the Game of Shadows and Malignant, I came across an old manuscript from 2019.

I had worked on this story extensively with an editor from Cornerstones Literacy Consultancy between 2015 and 2019. In 2020, I put it in a drawer and forgot about it.

Now, in 2025, I've dusted it off, pulled out the final report the editor wrote, and reviewed it.

The story has great bones. So I'm doing a rewrite. At first, I thought it was going to be a quick polish, fixing what couldn't be fixed in 2019.

I was wrong. It's an extensive rewrite. Still the same story—but with teeth.

I'm not sure when I'll be bringing it to market. I was thinking May. But something is telling me—it could be longer.

]]>

New Project—Malignant

Marlowe Edison — Mon, 8 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I have a brand-new story idea, and this one is very different from what I’ve written before.

Malignant is a psychological thriller with a dark, unsettling heartbeat — and for the first time, I’m exploring magic as a metaphor for power. It’s a standalone novel, not connected to my current espionage series, and it’s already taking shape in a way that feels cinematic, atmospheric, and deliciously strange.

This project began as a creative spark, a “what if” that refused to let go, and I’m giving myself the freedom to play with it while my larger series continues to unfold. Expect something tense, eerie, and emotionally layered — a thriller that bends the world just enough to make you question what’s real.

More updates soon.

— Marlowe

]]>

Interview with Johanna Fink from the Yellow Shelf Podcast

Marlowe Edison — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Embedded Youtube video removed, see original post to watch.

]]>

The Countdown Begins

Marlowe Edison — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Eight days and Counting.

Mastering the Art of Deception drops next Wednesday (24 September 2025).

This novel, the first in a series, embraces the main features of two genres I really like: the propulsive momentum of high-octane thrillers and the sprawling epicness of Romantasy. It's not fantasy—the world is John Wickish, but it has the sweeping, epic, mythic feel of TOG.

]]>

Mastering the Art of Deception is up for Preorder

Marlowe Edison — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I mocked this up for Bookbub this evening, and while I was doing that, another review dropped into my inbox via Netgalley. Short and sweet this time.

"Spy novels are my guilty pleasure, and this one is no different. Humorous while being action-packed, Mastering the Art of Deception is just that- a work of art."

]]>

Book Review - Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz

Marlowe Edison — Wed, 5 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Gregg Hurwitz’s Nemesis, the tenth book in the Orphan X series, immediately stood out as different from its predecessors. This time, the story feels far more personal—despite the Fourth Commandment, Evan is forced to confront the reality that life isn’t always black and white, especially when it comes to his friend Tommy Stojack.

As expected, the novel delivers high-octane action sequences, with our hero often facing down overwhelming odds. But what sets this installment apart is its deeper exploration of Evan’s evolving humanity. He wrestles with the responsibility of being a guiding force in Joey’s life, offering parental direction she doesn’t always want to hear, while also navigating the gray areas of his friendship with Tommy Stojack.

At first, I wasn’t sure if this was the story I wanted to read, but once I buckled in for the ride, I was glad I did. Hurwitz lands his plot points with precision, resolving multiple conflicts in a way that is both satisfying and, at times, unexpected. His writing remains evocative, with distinct character voices conveyed through carefully chosen descriptions and dialogue.

It’s a solid five out of five for me. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next installment.

]]>

Wading Through Social Media

Marlowe Edison — Sat, 1 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I think I might have written a great book—it reads well, I've landed the plot points with precision., the editor to whom I sent the almost completed copy started her opening comments with: "My goodness, what a gorgeous, complex, compelling and ultimately, satisfying project!"

My cover artist designed an absolutely fabulous cover.

I created a compelling blurb for my Amazon page.

I'm ticking all the correct boxes.

But—

The world of social media? Understanding my marketplace—essentially: who is most likely to pick up my book and read it?

Following a test I did yesterday with a book teaser ad, I might have to rethink my strategy.

I thought I was writing for women. I'm female. I love a lot of the same books—Sarah J Maas (TOG and ACOTAR), Patrick Rothfuss's Kingkiller Chronicles, and Rebecca Yarros's Fourth Wing.

But I love espionage thrillers. I devoured Mark Greaney's Gray Man series, Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series, and Gregg Hurwitz's Orphan X last year.

So that's what I wrote with a pinch of Sara J Maas's wonderful plotting and strong female leads, and Patrick's intricate worldbuilding, stealing all the best tropes and setting them in a modern contemporary world.

I suspect men will love my book even more for the following reasons.

Antony Meyer—Edwards (MMC)—he's a strong, morally gray protagonist with a dark past, conflicting loyalties and a dark, dangerous edge.

Themes—espionage and covert operations, power struggles and betrayal, action and survival.

Stay tuned—the ad is still running and so far, the data is compelling.

]]>

New Book Trailer: Some Enemies You Can't Outrun

Marlowe Edison — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

New on Instagram, Bluesky and Twitter.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DGHm8blothT/

"Some enemies you can outrun. Others you can’t resist."

She’s a master of deception. He’s an expert at finding the truth.

What happens when their worlds collide?

💀 Mastering the Art of Deception – Drops May 2025.

#MysteryThriller #ArtHeist #SlowBurnRomance #ComingSoon #booksta #bookstagram #bookteaser

]]>

Book Teaser Just Released on Twitter, Instagram and Bluesky

Marlowe Edison — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

When a spy chasing stolen masterpieces crosses paths with a disgraced pianist tied to a deadly crime family, deception is the only rule. Can they trust each other—or will secrets destroy them? 📚 Master the Art of Deception ✨ Out May 2025! ✨

See it here on Bluesky.

https://bsky.app/profile/marloweedison.bsky.social/post/3lgnf6py2zc2w

]]>

New Cover Has Arrived

Marlowe Edison — Tue, 3 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

For the full story, check out:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDHRYB1o7qG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

]]>

New Cover Coming Soon

Marlowe Edison — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Exciting Update!

The new cover designs for my upcoming mystery thriller are almost here, and I couldn’t be more thrilled!

Stay tuned—I’ll be revealing them soon, and I can’t wait to hear what you think!

]]>

AI video generators

Marlowe Edison — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Freepik have just added an AI video generator. It can take an image and create a 5 second video. You can pan, push out, crane up and down. I've been experimenting this afternoon and wondering how this cn be used to create short videos that emulate scenes from my novel. It would be a great marketing tool. Am wondering if I will have to take the short snippets and edit in Premiere Pro or similar video editor.

In the meantime, here's my main character.

]]>

Mocking Stuff Up

Marlowe Edison — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

I should be editing, but instead, I am putting a new app through its paces - Freepik. As with all new apps, there's a learning curve. Some of it is not as intuitive as I would like, but I am prepared to play and fail and see where it takes me.

Speaking of which, the whole point of playing with Freepik's AI generator was to create content for the new website. I wanted to see if I could customise the templates I've been provided just that little bit more.

I'm not a graphic artist. I am sure someone with right amount of expertise could whip up a book cover, a logo and a banner in no time. Well, I needed the distraction, and I am really intrigued with the potential of AI to create content.

]]>

Update: Heading into the Home Stretch

Marlowe Edison — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Received the copy-edited version and realized there is still more work to be done before taking the novel to market next year. Fortunately, I enjoy the editing process. Its probably my favourite part. Each pass through the text reveals new aspects that need to be nuanced just that little bit more to make the manuscript really shine. And then there are the small inconsistencies to smooth out—dates, time-frames, wardrobe. And if I really want my readers to connect with my characters, I have to go deeper and find those moments of vulnerability that create emotional resonance. Dialogue also requires polishing—it has a distinct rhythm, like music. If it's not right, it jars.

While it can feel like an endless cycle, there's something incredibly satisfying about seeing the manuscript evolve, becoming tighter and more three-dimensional with every pass. It’s like blocking and modelling a painting. The challenge is to give just enough detail to create a sense of verisimilitude.

Once I've completed another round of edits the MS will go back to the editor for final tweaking. And then one more round before publication. Maybe. If I decide it's ready. The lovely thing about self-publishing: I am responsible for every decision along the way.

]]>

Now that Book One is with the editor, what's next?

Marlowe Edison — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The answer? Start work on Book Two.

So I armed myself with all my favourite writing tools - Scrivener, my computer, a fast internet connection - everything I would need to begin brainstorming new ideas for the second novel. I sketched out the structure in Scrivener - chapters, scenes, plot points and beats. I included some brief notes about what should happen at these major points.

And then I got stuck. No obvious idea about where to start. No inspiration. No anchor. Just a blank page.

I went off to work. Somewhere between nine and four, it hit me - why not ask ChatGPT to spin some ideas for a thriller? I figured I'd get something fairly generic, but at least it'd be something to start with.

I constructed a prompt. Fed ChatGPT some information about what I had in mind. Gave it a length, some character descriptions, a setting. As with anything, once I started to get the ideas down, and I began interacting with the AI, new ideas came to me. I just needed a starting point from which I could grow the ideas.

The thing about ChatGPT is that it is generic. It's almost as if it takes a whole lot of data and averages it out so that you end up with something middle-of-the-road.

But that was good enough for me. Once I had something - an anchor - I could start growing the ideas. And with ChatGPT as a brainstorming partner with access to vast amounts of knowledge on every conceivable topic, I found myself truly inspired.

Update

As well as developing an outline for a second book, I also created a bookcover. It's a mockup. I'll employ a bookcover artist for the final product. Here it is in the meantime.

]]>