David Bowie

In Tribute To David Bowie: Talking About My Book “Playing God”

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I remember January 10th, 2016, like it was yesterday… I remember what I was doing and where I was on the day when I heard that David Bowie had died… and I remember what I did next: I wrote a poem. I wrote a poem for David Bowie called “Always The Starman”, because I wanted to pay tribute to him, to who he was, and to what he and his music meant to so many people from all around the world. Then, not long after, I was inspired to write a short story that was not about David Bowie per se but his spirit definitely influenced it, my story “The Man in Black”; and following on from my short story I would go on to write six more short stories once again influenced by the spirit of David Bowie, which I would go on to collect together and have published in my short story collection “Playing God”. The original 2018 paperback version of “Playing God” had this image of David Bowie on the cover which I drew against a starry backdrop, and the 2024 hardback version featured a cover which was inspired by a sketch of David Bowie which was already within my book – but I gave it a fresh twist of colour and detail. Anyway, suffice to say, if it weren’t for David Bowie then I don’t know who I would be right now, because David Bowie has inspired me and he has influenced me for years in one way or another. I am so grateful for the spirit and the music of David Bowie which has visited me and inspired me so many times over the years, and I know that I am not the only one who feels that way. Rest in peace, David Bowie. Thank you, Starman. ⭐ 🖤

– Mark

”Bowie” by Annatomix

Short story: “The Man in Green” (2018) by Mark Hastings

Mark Hastings books, David Bowie, playing god, Podcast, Short-story , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
The complete short story “The Man in Green” from Mark’s 2018 short-story collection, ‘Playing God’, about a young man by the name of Paul Arthur Newton, who, since he was a boy, has been best friends with the enigmatic, “God of the Wilderness”, Pan – who he regularly meets with and writes about in his journal, while enjoying the natural splendour of Chantry Woods, near his home. However, one day, while Paul and Pan are enjoying each others company, Paul is shown another side of Pan that concerns him – and when a “Man in White” arrives, claiming to be Pan’s father, Paul is given a opportunity to learn more about Pan, about the “Man in White”, and about why people, as well as gods, do what they do. ‘Playing God’ is a collection of “Seven stories… Seven perspectives… Seven experiences… about One Man in Black, one Man in White… Seven morality tales of one immortal Rebel, Hero, Friend, Fan, Father, Son, Playing, God”. You can read Mark’s poetry on his website http://MarkThePoet.Me, and you can purchase all of Mark’s books of poetry, short-story anthologies, and novellas on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HjAJMC

Short story: “The Man in Blue” (2018) by Mark Hastings

Mark Hastings books, David Bowie, playing god, Podcast, Short-story , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
The complete short story “The Man in Blue” from Mark’s 2018 short-story collection, ‘Playing God’, about a young runaway called Jean, who has been living on the streets for over a year after running away from an abusive home life. Then, one day, Jean meets a mysterious “Man in Black” who wants to give Jean the gift of a new life; however, when the “Man in Black” is confronted by his past, in the form of his powerful father, he is forced to return home – but the “Man in Black” does not plan to stop being who he believes he was always meant to be, doing what he was always meant to do without a fight. ‘Playing God’ is a collection of “Seven stories… Seven perspectives… Seven experiences… about One Man in Black, one Man in White… Seven morality tales of one immortal Rebel, Hero, Friend, Fan, Father, Son, Playing, God”. You can read Mark’s poetry on his website http://MarkThePoet.Me, and you can purchase all of Mark’s books of poetry, short-story anthologies, and novellas on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HjAJMC

Short story: “The Man in the Mirror” (2018) by Mark Hastings

Mark Hastings books, David Bowie, playing god, Podcast, Short-story , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
The complete short story “The Man in the Mirror” from Mark’s 2018 short-story collection, ‘Playing God’, about a washed-up rock star, called Paul, who finds himself staring at his own reflection, as well as being given a glimpse into the extraordinary history and former identity of the mysterious “Man in White” whose reflection gives an insight into who he is, who he was, and why he does what he does – at the same time helping Paul to realise that he has more to live for than he knows. ‘Playing God’ is a collection of “Seven stories… Seven perspectives… Seven experiences… about One Man in Black, one Man in White… Seven morality tales of one immortal Rebel, Hero, Friend, Fan, Father, Son, Playing, God”. You can read Mark’s poetry on his website http://MarkThePoet.Me, and you can purchase all of Mark’s books of poetry, short-story anthologies, and novellas on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HjAJMC

Short story: “The Man in Grey” (2018) by Mark Hastings

Mark Hastings books, David Bowie, playing god, Podcast, Short-story , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
The complete short story “The Man in Grey” from Mark’s 2018 short-story collection, ‘Playing God’ about a widowed Central Park hotdog vendor, called Guiseppe “Gus” Morino, who finds himself serving two estranged brothers/two god siblings who are meeting to discuss the reason for the repeated rebelliousness of one of the brothers, “The Man in White” – who looks like David Bowie – who is warned by his brother – who looks like John Lennon – of the consequences that will befall him if he does not stop “Playing God” against the wishes of their powerful God Father. ‘Playing God’ is a collection of “Seven stories… Seven perspectives… Seven experiences… about One Man in Black, one Man in White… Seven morality tales of one immortal Rebel, Hero, Friend, Fan, Father, Son, Playing, God”. You can read Mark’s poetry on his website http://MarkThePoet.Me, and you can purchase all of Mark’s books of poetry, short-story anthologies, and novellas on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HjAJMC

Short story: “The Man in Black” (2018) by Mark Hastings

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The complete short story “The Man in Black” from Mark’s 2018 short-story collection, ‘Playing God’ about a young woman called Layla whose life is changed from the moment that she watches a black cat be killed and then miraculously be brought back to life, as well as repeatedly encountering a mysterious “Man in Black” who bares a striking resemblance to the late great singer/songwriter David Bowie and who always seems to be at the right place at the right time when someone needs him. However, when Layla suffers a personal tragedy that the Man in Black is unable to do anything about, Layla starts to question who the “Man in Black” is and why he seemingly can not save everybody. ‘Playing God’ is a collection of “Seven stories… Seven perspectives… Seven experiences… about One Man in Black, one Man in White… Seven morality tales of one immortal Rebel, Hero, Friend, Fan, Father, Son, Playing, God”. You can read Mark’s poetry on his website http://MarkThePoet.Me, and you can purchase all of Mark’s books of poetry, short-story anthologies, and novellas on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HjAJMC

‘Playing God’ by Mark Hastings (2018) – The Complete Audiobook

Mark Hastings books, David Bowie, playing god, Podcast, Short-story , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
The Complete Audio Book of Mark’s 2018 short-story collection, ‘Playing God’. ‘Playing God’ is a collection of “Seven stories… Seven perspectives… Seven experiences… about One Man in Black, one Man in White… Seven morality tales of one immortal Rebel, Hero, Friend, Fan, Father, Son, Playing, God”. You can read Mark’s poetry on his website http://MarkThePoet.Me, and you can purchase all of Mark’s books of poetry, short-story anthologies, and novellas on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HjAJMC

‘Playing God’ by Mark Hastings (2018) – audio book: The Man in Red – “No One Is Ever Alone”

Mark Hastings books, David Bowie, playing god, Podcast, Poetry, Short-story , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
In this episode, Mark recites the seventh and final story of his 2018 short-story collection, Playing God: ‘The Man in Red’ – “No One Is Ever Alone”, “About Playing God”, and the poems “Always the Starman” and “Hermes”. ‘Playing God’ is a collection of “Seven stories… Seven perspectives… Seven experiences… about One Man in Black, one Man in White… Seven morality tales of one immortal Rebel, Hero, Friend, Fan, Father, Son, Playing, God”. You can read Mark’s poetry on his website http://MarkThePoet.Me, and you can purchase all of Mark’s books of poetry, short-story anthologies, and novellas on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HjAJMC

‘Playing God’ by Mark Hastings (2018) – audio book: The Man in Red – “Hermes”

Mark Hastings books, David Bowie, playing god, Podcast, Short-story , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
In this episode, Mark recites the seventh and final story of his 2018 short-story collection, Playing God: ‘The Man in Red’ – “Hermes”. ‘Playing God’ is a collection of “Seven stories… Seven perspectives… Seven experiences… about One Man in Black, one Man in White… Seven morality tales of one immortal Rebel, Hero, Friend, Fan, Father, Son, Playing, God”. You can read Mark’s poetry on his website http://MarkThePoet.Me, and you can purchase all of Mark’s books of poetry, short-story anthologies, and novellas on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HjAJMC

‘Playing God’ by Mark Hastings (2018) – audio book: The Man in Red – “I Would Do Anything”

Mark Hastings books, David Bowie, playing god, Podcast, Short-story , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
In this episode, Mark recites the seventh and final story of his 2018 short-story collection, Playing God: ‘The Man in Red’ – “I Would Do Anything”. ‘Playing God’ is a collection of “Seven stories… Seven perspectives… Seven experiences… about One Man in Black, one Man in White… Seven morality tales of one immortal Rebel, Hero, Friend, Fan, Father, Son, Playing, God”. You can read Mark’s poetry on his website http://MarkThePoet.Me, and you can purchase all of Mark’s books of poetry, short-story anthologies, and novellas on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HjAJMC