About
Martin grew up in the developing world, including in Uganda and Papua New Guinea.
After attending boarding schools in the south of England, he studied English at the University of Exeter and lived for many years in North London.
He earned his MA in Romantic and Victorian Literature and Culture from Goldsmiths, and is co-author of the short story collection Three Ravens Folk Tales.
In addition to writing and performing in plays and sketch and stand-up comedy, he has worked as a radio presenter, marketing officer, freelance journalist, and teacher.
Between 2012 and 2016 he was the Creative Director of Black Box Games, co-designing and managing the award-winning Lords of War card game series.
He is currently a freelance writer, actor, and podcaster, producing Three Ravens from the home he shares with his wife and collaborator Eleanor Conlon.
He also appears regularly as a "Folklore Expert" on Local and National BBC Radio.
Three Ravens Podcast
Martin is a co-host and co-producer of Three Ravens, which launched in March 2023.
On Mondays, episodes focus on a historic British county, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area.
Then, most importantly, Martin and Eleanor Conlon take turns to tell new versions of ancient stories from that county.
On Thursdays the pair release Bonus Episodes on diverse themes including the history of magic, mythical creatures, heritage crafts, and true crimes with folkloric twists.
Then, on Saturdays, they release interviews with local experts, authors and storytellers through their series "Local Legends."
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As a "Folklore Expert"
Martin frequently appears as a folklore expert on BBC Radio stations, including BBC Five Live, BBC Radio Devon, BBC Radio Bristol, BBC Radio Gloucestershire, and BBC Radio Essex.
He speaks on a range of topics including local history and legends, ghost stories, and seasonal festivals and customs.
As "Martin from Newick" he regularly appears on LBC Radio, including on the James O'Brien, Shelagh Fogarty, and Tom Swarbrick shows, often speaking on matters of education and online culture.
He has also delivered a range of folklore-focused lectures in person and online, and has featured on podcasts including The History of England with David Crowther, The Folklore Podcast with Mark Norman, and How Haunted? with Rob Kirkup.
Gawain and the Green Knight
Across December 2024 Martin released a comic retelling of the iconic Medieval poem Sir Gawain and The Green Knight in 25 parts, releasing one per day in the lead-up to Christmas.
Following Gawain, Knight of the Surcoat (King Arthur's nephew) who is challenged by the mysterious Green Knight to hunt him down so his head might be chopped off, this version takes place over a year and follows Gawain's search all across mythical Britain.
Featuring lovable horses with rich inner-lives, a Sir Lancelot who's perhaps not the brightest button (but sure is handsome...) and many more jokes than Simon Armitage's version, it's available to enjoy right now.
Folding in several Arthurian legends pertaining to Gawain, including "The Knight With The Sword," "Sir Gawain and the Carle of Carlisle," "The Loathly Lady," and "The Perilous Chapel," the series achieved over 30,000 downloads within its first month and has found new fans every month since.
Connecting to Martin's wider 'Chronicles of King Arthur' as retold on Three Ravens, such as "The White Stag" (his take on Eric and Enide), "The Once and Future King" (the Sword in the Stone, from Merlin's perspective) and "Mabon: The Child of Light" (a retelling of Culwch and Olwen) it's a fun-filled ride, perfect for Christmas.
The Heartless Knaves
While recovering from ill-health during and after the pandemic, Martin wrote the book he wanted to read but had never been able to find.
The intended first part of The Heartless Knaves trilogy, it proved too long and too strange to find a home with a traditional publisher.
He released this first book, "The Pale Princess," as a podcast. It remains available through all podcast services.
Set in an alternate reality Tudor era, filled with magic, assassins, sex and violence, the second book in the trilogy is still percolating.
It will be called "The Carrion King" and when it makes financial sense to do so Martin is ready to write it!
