In this episode I talk about recently attending Birmingham Comic Con and getting the opportunity to talk to English writer, director, television producer and author, Doug Naylor (best known as the co-creator of the cult British sci-fi comedy series Red Dwarf) about his new book Sin Bin Island and about writing, storytelling, and inspiration – including how we both approach writing a story. And I also talk about the three books that I currently plan to publish in 2026.
Whenever we set out upon our journey
we always know what our destination will be…
whenever we travel to the stars
we always know that when we arrive
where we are supposed to be
we will be met by those who know us
and who understand us
better than anyone ever could…
whenever we return to the nexus
of hope and optimism that always brings us joy
we always feel so connected to one another
on a deep, meaningful, and a profound level
that it is hard to explain
because being with each other makes us feel better,
more rejuvenated, and free to be ourselves…
whenever we speak to those whom we meet
once again, after so long of being apart,
it is as if we can continue the same conversation
that we were previously engaged in
like no time has passed…
whenever we are together
we who dream the same dream
share an experience that inspires us,
invigorates us, and energises us
to such a high state of being
that the thought of having to return
to where we came from is always depressing…
whenever we have to leave the place
which gives us the means and the opportunity
to express ourselves and to live out our dreams,
each of us who are blessed to be there with one another
depart with a heavy heart -
but each of us know that we will all one day return
and see each other again;
because we are all the members of a collective
of incredible individuals who embody and embrace
infinite diversity in infinite combinations;
because we are all the explorers
and the voyagers of the endless frontier.
There is nothing like
being around like-minded
people who all share
the same appreciation
and the same optimistic
outlook about something,
about someone, about life,
about the future,
about the importance of humanity
working together and respecting
one another for a common purpose
to maintain the ever growing,
changing, and evolving experiment
that is the human race
that will only truly begin to
show its potential when
the collective members
of our species ventures away
from Earth, seeks out,
and sees with their own eyes
all the wonders of
the rest of the universe.
It is so great being around people
who feel free and able to express
themselves in any and every way
that they can imagine…
it is so great to be around people
who do not require any kind of
explanation as to who you are,
what you are, and why you choose
to look then way that you do,
because you are instantly
and automatically accepted
as being a member of their collective.
When you are around people
who immediately understand you –
a fellow convention attendee,
a fellow concert-goer,
a fellow fan and enthusiast
of the same TV show, film, music,
group, artist, author –
then there is always a silent connection,
a mutual wave of empathy, an excitement,
and when the shared feeling
of a group of people culminates
into a rush of adrenaline
when they get to live out
a dream and meet a star
who symbolizes and embodies
that which they have invested
countless hours and energy into –
like meeting an actor who you admire,
or a rock star whose music always
makes your heart beat fast,
or an author whose words
have touched your heart –
then follows a perhaps
once in a life-time moment
that becomes a seed of joy
that grows, blooms,
and flourishes within you
so much so that it seeps out
and spreads to other people,
and sometimes to people
who you may slowly but surely
convert and assimilate
into your very own
personal collective.
Mark The Poet 