Sam Marsden
  • Sam Marsden

Sam Marsden

Author
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I write fast-paced YA fiction, and drama teaching resources.

My debut novel UNDER GLASS was optioned for film and TV by former Warner Bros. President of Film Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures. 

​I went to drama school in London (The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama) and during my time there I discovered that I wanted to be a writer. To become a writer, I believed I needed to understand the world better, so I studied for a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in International Development Studies and Sociology. I was awarded a first-class honours degree and the David Weeks memorial prize; this achievement was shocking to me (and my family!), as I had failed most of my exams at school—due to my dyslexia and obsession for putting on theatre shows.

I was a drama teacher for ten years in London, and then in Bath, and I ran one of the UK’s largest regional youth theaters. Now I write for The Stage newspaper, and I’m the author of the #1 Amazon category bestseller 100 Acting Exercises for 8-18 Year Olds (Bloomsbury Academic/Methuen Drama).

I am represented by Jordan Hamessley at New Leaf Literary and Media, Inc., in New York.
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UNDER GLASS
my debut novel

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Sam has crafted an incredibly futuristic world that explores the best of science and the depths of humanity with extraordinary, relatable characters.
 ​​Greg Silverman, CEO of Stampede Ventures and former Warner Bros. president of film on Under Glass, Sam’s debut novel
In Eos, a glass-domed colony on Mars, perfection is survival. But Eva Knight, the President's daughter, feels anything but perfect. She hates the Martian way and dreams of living on Earth.

When Eva’s brother is deemed unproductive and executed by the Martian government, Eva must choose between her mother, and what she believes to be right. 

Under Glass is a fast-paced, romantic, and dystopian sci-fi. But ultimately it's a story about love, death, and how what we change inwardly can change reality.


Acting techniques for writers
a free online course

I trained as an actor and acting techniques help me write fiction. I’ll be sharing my actor-writer toolbox with you in a four-week email course.

Week one: Building a character
Week two: Actions
Week three: Dialogue
Week four: Writing complex characters

​Sign up here to start the course and get occasional email updates. You can opt-out at any moment.

How to write with dyslexia
​a free online course

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I have dyslexia and couldn't read until I was 13, but with the help from a generous English teacher, and some writing techniques I've devised for myself, I've learned to work with my dyslexia. Even today, nearly 40% of the words I write are spelled wrong, but good storytelling is what matters when writing a novel! I’m excited to share my journey, advice, and techniques on how to write with dyslexia.

Week one: Building trust
Week two: The first draft
Week three: Editing
Week four: Using your strengths

​Sign up here to start the course and get occasional email updates. You can opt-out at any moment.

Mentorship for a Writer with Dyslexia

Twice a year I give away a short mentorship to a writer with dyslexia. Once in the spring and once in the fall. Applications are open from April 1 - 30 May and October 1 to November 30.

Apply with a 200-400 word description of your work in progress, a sample chapter of your fiction, and around 500 words about yourself. The winner will receive feedback on the first three chapters of their novel, synopsis, and query letter, followed up by a Zoom, Skype, or phone, story consultation.

Please email 
your application to sam@teachdrama.org  

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100 Acting Exercises for
8-18 Year Olds

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Here is the book that every drama teacher should have on their shelf
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Sylvia Young, OBE

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An excellent resource. In it, acting coaches and their young students will find daily inspiration​​
Robert McKee, author, lecturer, and story consultant
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Journalism
I write advice pieces and features for The Stage newspaper, London, on training, mindfulness, and on finding your artistic voice.
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By Sam Marsden
  • Sam Marsden