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 Grey” (2018) by Mark Hastings

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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

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

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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 the Mirror – “Favorite Son”

Mark Hastings David Bowie, playing god, Podcast, Poetry, Short-story , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
In this episode, Mark recites the fourth story of his 2018 short-story collection, Playing God: ‘The Man in the Mirror’ – “Favorite Son”. ‘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 the Mirror – “Who Do You See?”

Mark Hastings David Bowie, playing god, Podcast, Short-story , , , , , , , , , , , ,
In this episode, Mark recites the fourth story of his 2018 short-story collection, Playing God: ‘The Man in the Mirror’ – “Who Do You See?”. ‘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 Grey – “All Roads Lead Here”

Mark Hastings books, David Bowie, playing god, Podcast, Poetry, Short-story , , , , , , , , , , , ,
In this episode, Mark recites the third story of his 2018 short-story collection, Playing God: ‘The Man in Grey’ – “All Roads Lead Here”. ‘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 Grey – “Oh My Gus!”

Mark Hastings books, playing god, Podcast , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
In this episode, Mark recites the third story of his 2018 short-story collection, Playing God: ‘The Man in Grey’ – “Oh My Gus!”. ‘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 White – “Encore”

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In this episode, Mark recites the second story of his 2018 short-story collection, Playing God: ‘The Man in White’ – “Encore”. ‘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 White – “Flash-Forward”

Mark Hastings books, David Bowie, playing god, Podcast , , , , , , , , , ,
In this episode, Mark recites the second story of his 2018 short-story collection, Playing God: ‘The Man in White’ – “Flash-Forward”. ‘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