From Page to Screen: The Madness Continues for Madhouse

There is a real kind of electricity that hits an author when they realise their characters might soon have faces, voices, and a life beyond the printed page. For those who have been following the journey of my splatterpunk horror, Madhouse, you know that the road has been nothing short of a rollercoaster.

As we move through this year, I wanted to take a moment to circle back to some of the most exciting news in my writing career: the shopping agreement for Madhouse. While the ink has been dry on the contract for a while now, the momentum behind the scenes is still very much alive.

The Journey So Far

It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a decade since I published Rise of the RAMs. Back then, if you had told me a film producer would finish Madhouse, "absolutely love it," and immediately reach out to secure the rights to pitch it to major studios and networks, I would have told you the chances were somewhere around zero.

But as the saying goes—and as Marillion so eloquently put it—"Happiness is the Road." The shopping agreement essentially gives our producer the green light to find the perfect home for this story, whether that’s a gritty limited series or a feature film. Even though the book is rooted in its atmospheric Scottish setting, the current vision involves adapting the story for a US audience. It’s a transition that opens up fascinating new avenues for the narrative's tension and psychological depth.

Dreaming in Technicolor: The Madhouse Dream Cast

One of the most frequent questions I get from readers is: “If you could cast a movie for one of your books, who would you pick?”

Since Madhouse is currently being "shopped" in the industry, I’ve had some time to indulge in a bit of fantasy casting. If I had a magic wand and a Hollywood budget, here is exactly how the staff and residents of the Madhouse would look:

The Faculty of Fear

• Dr Lavender: Kim. Without a second of hesitation, I would cast Kim. Her performance on the audiobook for Tantor was nothing short of legendary. She captured the "creepy as hell" essence of the characters so perfectly that she genuinely gave me nightmares. Seeing her bring that terrifying energy to Lavender on screen would be a masterclass in horror.
• Dr Rupert: Ethan Hawke. Ethan is one of the most authentic performers working today. He has this unique ability to balance vulnerability with a simmering sense of menace. (Though, if Ethan’s busy, Nestor Carbonell is a hauntingly close second—he has that Anthony Perkins vibe that fits the story’s DNA like a glove).
• Dr Razzle Dazzle: Freddie Highmore. After seeing him in Bates Motel, I know there isn't a complex psychological layer Freddie can’t peel back. He would absorb this role completely.

The Unforgettable Residents

• Mitzi: Samara Weaving. Samara is the queen of the "innocent-to-insane" pivot. Whether it's Ready or Not or The Babysitter, she has the range to make Mitzi both captivating and terrifying within the span of a single sentence.
• Miss T: Jessica Chastain. This role requires a powerhouse who can juggle strength, humour, and raw emotion. Jessica is a personal favourite because she "kills" every role she touches. She is exactly who I see when I think of Miss T’s resilience.
• Zack: Niles Fitch. Every story needs its hero, and Zack is the heart of Madhouse. Niles Fitch (from This Is Us) has a depth that is rare for a young actor. He has the "barrels of soul" needed to carry the emotional weight of the book.

What’s Next?

Whether a studio picks up the option or the clock runs out on the contract, the "buzz" of this journey has already been a gift. Madhouse continues to be the title in my catalogue that surprises me most—it simply refuses to sit still.

For those who haven't experienced the story yet—or for those who want to hear Kim’s "nightmare-inducing" portrayal of Mitzi before the potential movie arrives—I highly recommend grabbing the audiobook.

Thank you all for being part of this ride and stay tuned!

So, I got ideas for two books at the same time. I started writing one, and then the other was screaming for attention in my resting hours, so I pivoted. I’m really glad I did. This story is set in the Safe Haven, but despite this, it’s like nothing that I’ve written before and I’m really excited by it.

Anyone across in the fan club on Facebook knows that I don’t do spoilers, but with this one, I couldn’t even if I wanted to. I have no idea where the story will take me.

The Story That Wouldn't Wait: Why I Pivoted to My New Project

We’ve all heard the advice: pick a lane and stay in it. In the world of writing, that usually means finishing the manuscript you started before even glancing at the "shiny new idea" sitting in the corner. But recently, I found myself in a creative tug-of-war that forced me to throw the rulebook out the window.

It started with a bit of a double-whammy. I had two distinct book ideas hit me at almost the exact same moment. Naturally, I picked one, rolled up my sleeves, and got to work. But as any writer will tell you, characters have a funny way of ignoring your schedule. While I was working on the first story, the second story wasn't just knocking at the door—it was screaming for attention during every resting hour I had.

Giving In to the Creative Pivot

Eventually, the noise became too loud to ignore. I decided to pivot, setting aside the first project to see where the second would take me.

I am so incredibly glad I did.

There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you stop fighting your intuition and just follow the flow. Since switching gears, the words have been coming with a speed and intensity that I haven't felt in a long time. It’s a reminder that sometimes the "distraction" isn't a distraction at all—it’s the story you were actually meant to be telling right now.

A New Side of Safe Haven

For those of you who have followed my work, you know I love writing the Safe Haven universe. This new book is set in it, but I want to be clear: it is like nothing I have ever written before.

Many aspects of this new story are uncharted territory for me. It’s darker, deeper, and frankly, a bit of a creative rebirth. It’s exhilarating to take a universe I love and give it a completely different feel.

The No-Spoiler Zone (Even for Me!)

Those of you in the FB fan club know my stance on spoilers: I don’t do them. I love the "aha!" moment too much.

But with this particular book, I couldn't give you a spoiler even if I wanted to. I have no idea where this story will take me. 

I’m delighted to announce that the Unsafe 5 audiobook is now live on Audible, Amazon and iTunes.

I’m excited to tell you that Unsafe 7, the 40th book in the Safe Haven universe, is now live on Amazon.

https://mybook.to/Unsafe7

Today was the second full day of writing the new project and another 5000 words are on the page. That’s 10000 in two days, and although that number isn’t that unusual for me, the nature of it is. Normally, when I begin a new story, I noodle it around for a few days. A thousand words here, 500 words there and bit by bit, I get my bearings. This time, it’s coming in floods, and I’m not sure what’s behind it, but you’re not going to hear me complaining.

I’ve adopted a similar methodology to what I used for Madhouse and The Devil’s Face. I’m writing in a room with subdued light and playing a mix of uncomfortable/disturbing music. The 2013 Evil Dead soundtrack has always been one of my favourites and today I forked out for the Sinister OST as well. They’re helping to create the perfect ambience for the tone of the story.

As with everything else I’ve ever written, I have no idea where this is going. I’m not someone who can work to plans. But with 10k words down, I don’t currently have an end in sight and so I’ll carry on writing until the characters have nothing left to say.

One thing is for sure. I’m having a lot of fun and that is the sole reason I write, so mission accomplished.