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️️️️jack ⚜

@jamackay_

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writer / actor / idiot
author of GLOAM and THE HAUNTING OF OLD SPLINTER
@griffonagetheatre

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THE HAUNTING OF OLD SPLINTER is out in the UK today. I've just been down to my lovely local @waterstonesyork to check that it's really there (it is). And it's buy one get one half price. Hooray!

Huge thanks to all the folks at @rocktheboatnews who conspired with me to make this weird scary book a reality.

I wrote this book in honour of my dad. Here's a pic of us this summer at the Pap of Glencoe. Dad climbed all the way to the top, whereas I stopped 2/3rds of the way up and waited for him because I am a weak and feeble boy. Nevertheless, in this pic I'm grinning like I did all the work.

My dad is a living legend. When I was a kid, I thought he was one of the funniest guys alive. Obviously I have higher standards now, but he's still pretty funny.

It's because of my dad's kindness and excellent parenting (along with that of my wonderful mum) that I didn't grow up with even half the angst that poor Peter in the book did. Unlike Peter, I had no trouble calling my dad "Dad", because he was always so good at it. I've never really thanked him properly in person, so maybe OLD SPLINTER is my way of doing that.

Love you, Dad ❤️

Hope you all enjoy the book x by @jamackay_

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13 days ago

👁 COVER REVEAL 👁

Excited beyond words to present this extraordinary artwork by @benjoelprice, the talented illustrator who has kindly (and spectacularly) brought GLOAM to life for the UK edition.

His interior illustrations are just as gorgeous. And just as creepy. I can't wait to share them with you. 👻

The book is out in August. Keep your eyes peeled. And if you just can't wait, you can preorder it now! by @jamackay_

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a year ago

Gloam has won Audiobook of the Year at #TheWeekJuniorBookAwards !!!

Huge congratulations to author Jack Mackay, narrator Indira Varma, and everyone involved in bringing this audiobook to life.

Gloam is available to download now on audio 🎉

#gloam #jackmackay #indiravarma #audiobook #wfhowes by @jamackay_

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19 hours ago

@jamackay_'s debut novel, Gloam (@rocktheboatnews), has won two prizes at the Week Junior Book Awards 2026, taking both the Breakthrough and Audiobook awards.

Read more on our website 🔗 by @jamackay_

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20 hours ago

Nearly a year ago @jamackay_ started his ‘Gloam’ tour at The Earls. Today, he kickstarted his tour for ‘The Haunting of Old Splinter’ with a writing workshop with some lucky year 8 students and a talk to the whole of year 7.

As a teacher, I know the transformative power an author visit can have on motivating young people to read. I’m lucky that I get so many wonderful authors coming to visit my school.

Thank you so much, Jack, for inspiring our students today!

@rocktheboatnews @jamackay_

#bookstagram #author #authorvisit #schoolauthorvisit #inspiration by @jamackay_

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5 days ago

Congratulations to the fabulous @jamackay_ on the launch of his second brilliant horror tale The Haunting of Old Splinter with @oneworldpublications @rocktheboatnews .

It was lovely to be there to help celebrate with Jack’s family and friends…and a creepy severed hand courtesy of @primarylibrarian !

I have no doubt this book will be as loved as Jack’s debut, Gloam, and I can’t wait to see what he writes next!

#horrorbooksforkids #halloweenkidsbooks #middlegradehorror by @jamackay_

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7 days ago

Phew!! That was a huge relief tonight to hand over “the hand” to its rightful owner! Now be careful what you wish for @jamackay_ 😉 Remember, wishes have consequences, and the bigger the wish….. well, you know how it goes. And for anyone who doesn’t, you need to buy #thehauntingofoldsplinter 😱

Huge congratulations Jack for another hit horror tale, perfect for upper middle grade. My pupils and I loved #gloam and we are really looking forward to you visiting us next month.

It was lovely to chat with your family (all so proud!) and huge thank yous to the @rocktheboatnews @oneworldpublications team ❤️ Brilliant cover by @thycup246

And of course @jmeggittphillips sent extra special congratulations 💪🏻

#jackmackay #horror #horrorbooksforkids 😱 by @jamackay_

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7 days ago

SO excited to see GLOAM on the @ukliteracyassociation 2027 longlist for ages 7-10+ alongside so many amazing titles and authors I admire. Biggest thanks to all the teachers who vote on this award, and a massive congrats to all my fellow longlistees!! 👻💙 by @jamackay_

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8 days ago

Thrilled to see Old Splinter in the @guardian roundup (right next to @a.m.dassu!) 💙

Huge thanks to @imogenrussellwilliams for the review 👻 by @jamackay_

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12 days ago

The brilliantly spooky new novel by @jamackay_ is out now!

The Haunting of Old Splinter is a spine chilling reimagining of a classic horror tale.

What's in store? 👀

🌙 Family, friendship and belonging
🍂 Mystery and suspense
🌙 The power of stories and imagination
🍂 Wishes, greed and consequence
🌙 A spooky atmosphere and setting

Grab your copy in bookshops and online now!

📸 Gorgeous photography by @emmamatthewsdigicontent by @jamackay_

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12 days ago

Be careful what you wish for...

A chilling discovery in the walls of an old house gives Peter the chance to mend his broken family but what price will the Wishing Claw exact? Brilliantly eerie middle-grade fiction from the phenomenal Jack Mackay!

Shop now, online and in your local Waterstones. by @jamackay_

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13 days ago

✋🏼 If You Had Three Wishes, What Would You Wish For?

After hearing a scary story about the dilapidated mansion their Uncle Lawrence owns, half-brothers, Peter and Adrian, are left wondering if there is truth to the madness. Could there really be a mummified hand nearby that can grant them wishes? The boys decide to find it and succeed, they are unaware of its great powers. But with great power comes great responsibility…and consequences…

✋🏼 The Haunting of Old Splinter
📝 @jamackay_
📚 @rocktheboatnews

Another fantastic book by this incredible author! The synopsis grabbed me and it turned out to be another gripping horror that kept me on the edge of my seat in a cleverly written slow burner which builds tension and suspense in a delicious way.

I was so intrigued with how the story unfolded and the length anyone would go to protect their family. I really loved the bond between the brothers and their commitment to looking out for one another. The haunting climax left me so excited for what’s to come with book 3!

An epic read for ages 10+

🌟 Huge thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out now so grab your perfect middle-grade spook-tastic novel!

AD:PR by @jamackay_

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21 days ago