I read from my latest book, my debut poetry collection Remembering Blue at my local pub, the Elephant & Castle, here in Lewes UK – it was a lovely event with a great and receptive audience. Luckily, or not, depending on your opinion, someone was there to video my performance. In all humility, I think it’s not too bad, actually it’s a lot better than I dared predict.

In the first set there is a collection of short poems, beginning with a haiku. Here are poems about some of my obsessions, some strange experiences and other things that have delighted or frightened me.

In my second set, I read poems some of them that can be seen as tributes or at least portraits of people or works that I admire or, at worst, have always been interested in, American poet, Frank O’Hara, singer/ . songwriter Joni Mitchell, the composer of the opera Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini, the modernist Portuguese poet, Fernando Pessoa, William the Conqueror’s mate, William de Warrene, Vergil’s Dido of Carthage, – they probably say more about me that about them.

There is one last section – one poem that ends and, also in a way, begins this my first poetry collection. My poem October 30th 2008 is a record and a meditation on the day when I almost died from a brain haemorrhage. It’s not depressing, I believe, actually, it’s full of optimism. Give it a listen.

It is published by Ward Wood Publishing – ways to buy it are detailed to the right of this blog.

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My third published book, is a poetry collection, Remembering Blue and, as we enter the new year, I shall be letting you know about scheduled events plants for it, including readings, reviews and various appearances already booked. So keep tuned if you would like to follow me and my little book’s progress. In these troubled times, it is great that writers and artists can find a rich vein of support here in Sussex, so, without more do, I would like to send out my appreciation.

My thanks to Skylark, here in Lewes, UK, and its owner Matt Birch who is now keeping a stash of my new poetry collection Remembering Blue. This follows on from the great review the book got from our splendid Lewes magazine Viva Lewes. While I think of it, let’s hear it for local publications such as this one – it’s enterprises like these that gives me hope. So if you citizens of Lewes get to read the review and think you might like to get a copy of the book, Skylark (downstairs at the Needlemakers centre) should be your first call https://www.skylarkshop.com/

My thanks to, Charlotte Gann, the editor of Viva Lewes, for the review – I am truly chuffed that she read the poems with such care and sensitivity. Publishing a poetry collection can feel very exposing, so I was genuinely moved to read Charlotte’s words. We are lucky here in this town to have such a splendid monthly magazine. https://www.vivabrighton.com/viva-lewes

While I am sending my appreciation to these Lewes institutions, let me also thank City Books in Brighton http://www.city-books.co.uk/ who are also holding a supply of Remembering Blue as is Kemptown Bookshop at the other end of town http://www.kemptownbookshop.co.uk/

You can, of course, buy my book online from the publishers, Ward Wood Publishing http://wardwoodpublishing or from your country’s Amazon or from book Depository https://www.bookdepository.com/Remembering-Blue-Colin-Bell/9781908742704?ref=grid-view&qid=1577985275912&sr=1-1 and, maybe the best on-line deal these days, from Wordery https://wordery.com/remembering-blue-colin-bell-9781908742704?currency=USD&gtrck=QXBBTmE0NkxiU2ovUHJlRlRjSFFKN1c3aGdYZFB4dUxpOUwxZzFWT1hMRzNvWkJmQ1h2SndWNDhCM3pkZzZYbVhPS2dXcDBud1N5SGgxWEQ1d2Z1VVE9PQ

The post Let’s hear it for our independent book shops and local publications. appeared first on Wolfie Wolfgang.

There are two poems about Adam and Eve in my new poetry collection, Remembering Blue, this one, Eve, came together as a little film made in my home town of Lewes, UK. Maybe I’m a bit obsessed by our earliest, or maybe-not ancestors. There was always something that interested me about the fall from paradise, the punishment of having to live in our world, the real world. Actually, part of the interest was that people believed the story. If our world is a punishment, it’s of our own making, as today’s impressive idealistic young environmentalists tell us. We fell into paradise, not out of it, and then we messed it up. The real fall of man comes later.

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I was supposed to have been at the launch of a new poetry anthology last Thursday but, unfortunately, I was struck down with the latest lurgey and had to take to my bed instead. I am sad to have missed the launch of this excellent book, The Needlewriters, which is an anthology of work by the writers who have appeared at Lewes’ Needlewriters events since its beginning in 2008.  The readings take place just down the street from my house, at the intriguing Needlemakers centre which was built as a candle-makers before becoming, quite literally, a needle-makers factory, supplying syringe needles for the medical corps treating the wounded in World War One. It is now a pleasant complex of arty shops and a restaurant.

I was proud to have been asked to read there after the publication of my novel, Stephen Dearsley’s Summer Of Love and now, I’m doubly proud to appear in this anthology along with so many writer friends and acquaintances from all over Kent and Sussex.

Needlewriters have also produced The Needlewriters Companion,  an online anthology with extra work from all the contributors – you can find it by using the link below:

http://www.needlewriters.co.uk/#/the-needlewriters-companion/4588177767

The book, The Needlewriters can be purchased (£10) either directly from the publisher, The Frogmore Press,

http://www.frogmorepress.co.uk/

or from Lewes’ splendid Skylark Shop – unlike Lewes’s other rather anonymous and centrally-controlled bookshops, its owner, Matt Birch,  is one of the few great independent booksellers who actively support local writers. He even sells copies of my novel (thanks Matt!)

http://www.skylarkshop.com/

Those of us who are lucky enough to live in or around Lewes can be truly grateful for the support that this small town gives to literature and the other arts.

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