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.

Copies of my new Brighton novel arrived today – hurray! Now that I have the actual physical objects, I really feel like it’s been published.

Stephen Dearsley, from my first novel, Stephen Dearsley’s Summer of Love, isn’t a bit jealous that he has a new companion – it’s a bit like having a baby brother – or maybe not. Anyway, I feel like a new child has been born.

Many thanks to Ward Wood Publishing, and especially to Adele Ward, for producing such a beautiful book. Thanks and admiration to to Kayla Bell who designed the brilliant Modernist cover – I love it.

So folks, it really is out there now –Blue Notes, Still Frames is my second Brighton novel and it moves forward to 1994 – My first Brighton book, Stephen Dearsley’s Summer of Love was set in 1967.  Here’s the publisher’s blurb, if you want to know what it’s all about.

You can buy the paperback edition a number of ways. Either directly from the publishers:

http://www.wardwoodpublishing.co.uk/titles-fiction-colin-bell-blue-notes-still-frames.htm

From Book Depository, especially if you are outside the UK:
http://www.bookdepository.com/Blue-Notes–Still-Frames/9781908742629

You can buy it at Amazon too – especially if you want the Kindle edition which is already online:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_24?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=blue+notes+still+frames+by+colin+bell&sprefix=Blue+Notes%2C+Still+Frames%2Caps%2C124&crid=1N88VF8VOJ86O

Or, of course, you can order it from your local independent bookshop. Mine, here in Lewes is the excellent independent bookseller Skylark – the owner, Matt Birch is a champion of Lewes’ artist community and for that we are all grateful.

He is stocking both my novels so go and see him at the Needlemakers, West Street, Lewes,  or contact him via his website:

http://www.skylarkshop.com/

The post I like being a two-novel writer. appeared first on Wolfie Wolfgang.

I got my copy of a new anthology today, The Four Seasons published by Kind of a Hurricane Press in Florida, USA.  I’m happy that they wanted to publish my short poem, Gardening Tips, in this collection of season-themed poetry.  The poem’s main theme is the impulse to plant daffodil bulbs in the cold days of Autumn so it was a pleasant coincidence that the book arrived around the same time that I took delivery of next spring’s daffodil and tulip bulbs for my small Lewes town garden.

I have put the box in my garden shed where it will sit until mid-November when I shall plant them in the cold earth. Why do I do this every Autumn? There’s a clue in the photograph below.

If you want to buy a copy of the paperback, here are some links to Amazon:

In the USA:

http://www.amazon.com/Four-Seasons-Various-Authors/dp/1517431840/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1446045164&sr=8-6&keywords=A.J.+Huffman+poetry

In the UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Four-Seasons-Various-Authors/dp/1517431840/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1446045164&sr=8-6&keywords=A.J.+Huffman+poetry

The post A new poetry anthology includes one of my poems among the first fruits of Autumn. appeared first on Wolfie Wolfgang.

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.

The post I’m proud to appear alongside so many writer friends and acquaintances in Lewes’ The Needlewriters, a new anthology. appeared first on Wolfie Wolfgang.

I’ve always, well nearly always, liked getting letters and parcels through my letterbox. I do the usual thing and ignore the ones that look like bills or circulars and, sometimes, feel sad when I get postcards addressed to former owners of this house who moved away decades ago. Apart from that, I’m an optimist and every delivery is a potential moment of pleasure. Yesterday was no exception when Lewes’ rather classy free magazine arrived. It’s delivered through every letterbox in town – bringing loads of pleasure all over Lewes. This month, it was more than usually interesting to me… it has the first review of my new novel, Stephen Dearsley’s Summer Of Love. Forgive me if I show you all what their book reviewer, John McGowan, wrote:

Thanks John McGowan and thanks to Viva Lewes for publishing it as well the plug for the poetry evening, First Wednesday Writers, that I run here in Lewes. If you read about it in Viva Lewes and followed the link to this site, here is the poster for the event with all the details. It’s always good to meet new writers and new people who come along just to listen.

It’s going to be busy next week as I have the London launch for the novel on Tuesday at the Phoenix Artist Club followed by two poetry events on Wednesday and Thursday followed by a celebration dinner on Friday. I’m having a great time but then it will be back to normal. Being a writer is about sitting up here alone with my computer but it’s great to have the odd social explosion to liven things up so I’m far from complaining.

——————————————————————————————————————–

My novel, Stephen Dearsley’s Summer Of Love, was published  on 31 October 2013. It is the story of a young fogey living in Brighton in 1967 who has a lot to learn when the flowering hippie counter culture changes him and the world around him.

The post You write the novel and then you get the review…Viva Lewes! appeared first on Wolfie Wolfgang.

I’m getting ready for our new poetry event here in Lewes UK – First Wednesday Writers begins next Wednesday in Lewes’ very pleasant Pleasant Stores. The poster has just arrived so I’ll be distributing copies around town later like a vicar delivering the parish newsletter.

Everyone is welcome to come along – admission is free – we hope to have poets and other writers, experienced or novices, reading their poetry and short prose pieces. You are also welcome just to come along to listen and I hope, have a good time.

I shall do my best to keep things going and will fill in the “gaps” by reading some of my recently published work. Oh no! Well the more people who want to read, the less of me.

I hope to see any of you that can get to Lewes next Wednesday evening and then on the first Wednesday of every month thereafter.

The post Getting ready for Lewes’ new poetry event. appeared first on Wolfie Wolfgang.