Mark Frost, co-creator of 'Twin Peaks' - Thriller author and screenwriter discusses working with David Lynch, super-agents, and his new novel, 'The Yankee Sphinx'

Writer's Routine

Dan Simpson

Arts, Hobbies, Books, Leisure

4.9 • 599 Ratings

🗓️ 30 April 2026

⏱️ 64 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Ever since Mark Frost saw his actor father prepare all day for work, having to leave every evening to jump on stage, he knew he wanted to get his work done early in the morning. A life as a writer came calling. He's worked on all sorts, writing on 'Hill Street Blues', the 'Fantastic Four' movies, sports books, thriller novels, and it's his work with David Lynch, as the co-creator of the cult series, 'Twin Peaks', that he's most loved for.

'Twin Peaks' was a show like no-other. A surreal, ethereal, chilling couple of series, that was a ratings win, a critical hit, and now has a cult-following. We discuss how the show, and working with Lynch, has influenced his writing since.

His new novel is, 'The Yankee Sphinx', inspired by his great-uncle's diaries, it tells the story of Will Hassett, a close confidence of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States.

We talk about how this idea met his fine criteria for working on a project. Also you can hear why, inspired by script-writing, he splits an idea into 3 parts, how he knows when something is done, and we get stories of working with a literary super agent.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This week's episode of writer's routine is sponsored by Ingram Spark, who let you publish like a pro.
0:09.7	You have a story, so share it with the world.
0:13.2	Today, there's no need to wait for someone else to help your book get read.
0:17.5	You can take control.
0:19.0	You can do it for yourself with Ingram Spark who offer everything
0:22.2	that you need to publish, promote, sell and print your book, where the hardcover paperback
0:28.7	ebook you can publish the way that you want. Ingram Spark lets you explore all the publishing
0:34.7	options to find out what's right for you. It offers global
0:38.6	ebook and print distribution connecting your creativity with over 45,000 libraries, retailers and online
0:46.3	stores. Now, I know in doing over 400 episodes of this show that everything going into
0:52.9	self-publishing can be a bit intimidating, what with
0:56.3	ISBNs and covers and correct file formats and getting it into the right places and then getting
1:02.0	it read once it's there. And all that happens after you've actually got the book written.
1:07.0	That's why Ingram Spark has a huge stash of self-publishing guides, courses, and so much more to help you publish like a pro.
1:16.3	It's tailored to how you want to get your book out there. You can reach millions of readers worldwide with powerful tools created for independent authors.
1:25.4	Take control. You can do it yourself with Ingram Spark because you have a story,
1:30.4	so share it with the world. And with this podcast, you can get 15% off your first order of 15 or more
1:37.2	books using the promo code routine 15. At Ingram Spark, have a look. It runs until the end of the year, so plenty of time to work out what's best for you. Don't wait for anyone else to decide when your book gets read. Get 15% off your first order of 15 or more books at ingramspark.com and use the promo code Routine 15.
2:15.8	Hello, welcome along to a brand new episode of Writers Routine.
2:17.9	This week chatting to Mark Frost,
2:26.4	Mark, along with David Lynch, created Twin Peaks, the cult TV show like no other, and he's got a brand new novel out. It's inspired by his great uncle. It's called the Yankee Sphinx.
2:32.0	We discussed getting taken on by one of the most legendary agents around,
	...

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