Book gives DJ Simon a brand new voice on Shropshire visit
He's been the voice of radio for the last three decades – and now Simon Mayo has turned his hand to writing novels.
Mad Blood Stirring is the radio presenter’s first adult novel, with a handful of children’s books already under his belt, and it has sparked interest from Hollywood film producers.
Inspired by a true story, Mad Blood Stirring is set in in 1815, at the end of a little-known war between Britain and the US.
It tells the story of a group of American soldiers imprisoned in the brutal Dartmoor prison.
Oswestry was the latest stop on Simon’s book tour of the country and he entertained a crowd at the Wynnstay Hotel.
Hosted by the town’s independent book shop, Booka Bookshop of Church Street, the presenter-turned-author read extracts from the book and talked about the process alongside Caroline Lang from Moreton Hall school.
“I was just doing some research on Dartmoor when I found this story,” Simon said. “It was a light-bulb moment but I thought I couldn’t have been the first person to stumble across it. So I did more research and that’s when I realised it hadn’t been told before.
“I did history and politics at university – skills I haven’t used very much recently – but there’s something about the research side of it I really enjoy. Dartmoor was notorious and it still is a very scary place, even to just drive past.”
The book is filled with racial tensions, gospel singing, there is an all-black production of Romeo and Juliet and a character called King Dick – a 6ft 7in man who wore a bearskin and carried a club.
Film rights have been snapped up by former Film4 chief Tessa Ross and ex-Working Title TV boss Juliette Howell at House Productions, with Jack Thorne writing the screenplay.
Simon has handed over the reins to Jack, but the famous screenwriter was still keen to get his opinion throughout the process.
“The first thing I wrote was a four-page synopsis and that alone sold the film rights," he said "So the film was already in place before I had even started writing the book. I actually read the screenplay for the first time last week. The guy who is writing it wrote the Harry Potter play and has been signed up for the new Star Wars film. This is a man who can be trusted and I thought, this is the man for me.
“His screenplay is different to mine but the three main characters are still at the heart of the story. Most screenplays don’t make it to film but with Jack Thorne involved, it stands a chance.”
The 59-year-old, who only started writing in his 50s, said he already has plans to review the film with Mark Kermode on a Friday afternoon on his BBC2 Drivetime radio show. The pair give their verdict on the week’s movies and Simon hopes to give the Mad Blood Stirring film top marks.
The presenter, who is more used to writing children’s books, enjoyed the story so much he’s already thinking ahead to a follow-up.
“I’ve got myself a writing shed in my garden now,” he added. “And since it was built I’ve not been able to write a word so I’ve got to write another book to justify building the shed.
“I feel like there’s a momentum at the end of the book that I want to follow up. It’s the same with some of the characters, I would like to carry on with their story too.”
