Mark Illis

writer

Mark Illis writes novels, short stories and TV drama. He has written RUNNING AWAY FOR BEGINNERS, THE IMPOSSIBLE and THE IMPOSSIBLE: ON THE RUN for teenagers, A CHINESE SUMMER, THE ALCHEMIST and THE FEATHER REPORT for adults. He has also written TENDER, a collection of connected short stories.

Mark Illis is a great stylist: eloquent, graceful, quiet. His work has wonderful subtlety and surprising strength. Anne Enright

RUNNING AWAY FOR BEGINNERS

JASPER, 15, has cancer. His treatment starts in a week, and in the meantime his parents want him to carry on as normal. Jasper thinks that’s a terrible idea, and also impossible. So he decides to run away. His journey is surprising, funny and touching, and not at all what he expected.

© Mark Illis

website: Jan Scott