Mark Illis
@markilliswriter.bsky.social
Writes books for adults and teens, most recently RUNNING AWAY FOR BEGINNERS. Also writes TV. And goes for walks. Husband, dad, cat owner.
Markillis.co.uk
Markillis.co.uk
@helenlohara.bsky.social You mentioned Aliens about six times, but you forgot Ridley Scott. Second film: Alien! (Without the exclamation mark)
August 9, 2025 at 8:11 AM
@helenlohara.bsky.social You mentioned Aliens about six times, but you forgot Ridley Scott. Second film: Alien! (Without the exclamation mark)
You wait years to get a book award and then …
June 19, 2025 at 10:02 AM
You wait years to get a book award and then …
You send your book out into the world, and you don’t know how it’s going to be received. So delighted when something like this happens!
Congratulations to @markilliswriter.bsky.social is1 for winning the 2025 Portsmouth Book Award with Running Away for Beginners!
The award is extra special as pupils from across Portsmouth & West Sussex vote for the winner - thank you to #PortsmouthSLS!
The award is extra special as pupils from across Portsmouth & West Sussex vote for the winner - thank you to #PortsmouthSLS!
June 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM
You send your book out into the world, and you don’t know how it’s going to be received. So delighted when something like this happens!
Reposted by Mark Illis
We're so thrilled that Running Away for Beginners by @markilliswriter.bsky.social is the winner of the Berkshire Book Award 2025!
Running Away for Beginners is a heart-rearranging, own-voices teen novel about a 14-year-old boy diagnosed with cancer - thank you to the awards & huge congrats Mark!
Running Away for Beginners is a heart-rearranging, own-voices teen novel about a 14-year-old boy diagnosed with cancer - thank you to the awards & huge congrats Mark!
May 14, 2025 at 10:26 AM
We're so thrilled that Running Away for Beginners by @markilliswriter.bsky.social is the winner of the Berkshire Book Award 2025!
Running Away for Beginners is a heart-rearranging, own-voices teen novel about a 14-year-old boy diagnosed with cancer - thank you to the awards & huge congrats Mark!
Running Away for Beginners is a heart-rearranging, own-voices teen novel about a 14-year-old boy diagnosed with cancer - thank you to the awards & huge congrats Mark!
Reposted by Mark Illis
Really proud that our author Mark Illis’ brilliant novel for teens has been chosen for this collection. It is such a gem! @empathylabuk.bsky.social
February 13, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Really proud that our author Mark Illis’ brilliant novel for teens has been chosen for this collection. It is such a gem! @empathylabuk.bsky.social
So happy my book Running Away For Beginners is in the 2025 ReadForEmpathy collection from @EmpathyLabUk.bsky.social The world needs more empathy.
www.empathylab.uk/RFE
www.empathylab.uk/RFE
February 13, 2025 at 11:11 AM
So happy my book Running Away For Beginners is in the 2025 ReadForEmpathy collection from @EmpathyLabUk.bsky.social The world needs more empathy.
www.empathylab.uk/RFE
www.empathylab.uk/RFE
Me, looking serious and wrinkly.
This week’s Northern Highlight is writer Mark Illis, based in Hebden Bridge, who talks about finding surprise in the familiar when writing stories and his latest book Running Away For Beginners. Link in bio 📚 @markilliswriter.bsky.social
February 10, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Me, looking serious and wrinkly.
🥳 New members announcement! 🥳 We are delighted to welcome four new members to the CBN network, please give a warm welcome to Rob Walton, Kara McHale, Jo Empson, and Mark Illis. We are so excited to have you all on board! 📚 @robwaltonwriter.bsky.social @markilliswriter.bsky.social
January 31, 2025 at 1:06 PM
@helenlohara.bsky.social Bicycles in films - I’d have liked a mention of Breaking Away! I saw it when it came out and remember loving it. People were applauding at the end.
January 18, 2025 at 9:50 AM
@helenlohara.bsky.social Bicycles in films - I’d have liked a mention of Breaking Away! I saw it when it came out and remember loving it. People were applauding at the end.
Sign the Petition
Save Audio Drama at the BBC
chng.it
January 16, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Bluesky has video! I was going to post this the other day. It’s a bit late now.
November 30, 2024 at 6:21 PM
Bluesky has video! I was going to post this the other day. It’s a bit late now.
Is there any other team that leaves fans so nervous when they’re 2 - 0 up at half time? COYS
November 23, 2024 at 6:34 PM
Is there any other team that leaves fans so nervous when they’re 2 - 0 up at half time? COYS
A starter pack of people who’ve been writing novels for years - really good ones - with negligible sales, but keep going like fucking idiots who really should know better. (Bit niche?)
November 18, 2024 at 6:37 PM
A starter pack of people who’ve been writing novels for years - really good ones - with negligible sales, but keep going like fucking idiots who really should know better. (Bit niche?)
How to get your teens reading.
If they’re a Goth - smear glue on a copy of Interview With A Vampire, catch a large house spider, place gently on book.
Hand to grateful teen.
If they’re a Goth - smear glue on a copy of Interview With A Vampire, catch a large house spider, place gently on book.
Hand to grateful teen.
November 16, 2024 at 9:44 AM
How to get your teens reading.
If they’re a Goth - smear glue on a copy of Interview With A Vampire, catch a large house spider, place gently on book.
Hand to grateful teen.
If they’re a Goth - smear glue on a copy of Interview With A Vampire, catch a large house spider, place gently on book.
Hand to grateful teen.
Potential Nazgûl at the end of this track.
November 13, 2024 at 2:01 PM
Potential Nazgûl at the end of this track.
Reposted by Mark Illis
SUBERB OWL FACT
owls have knees and can sit cross-legged
owls have knees and can sit cross-legged
February 11, 2024 at 3:51 PM
SUBERB OWL FACT
owls have knees and can sit cross-legged
owls have knees and can sit cross-legged