I’m feeling good today. I know that’s not headline news stuff but, actually, for me, it is. Some of you may know that I have been ill with Pulmonary Embolism, blood clots in my lungs, since about this time last year. It hasn’t been fun feeling ill most of the time, having difficulties breathing and, at times, even walking. Well, after some rough months of illness, I got diagnosed in March this year and then the medication began.

First of all a few weeks of self-injecting with a drug called Tinzapanin sodium – this was a great way of getting over any squeamishness I might have had about sticking needles into myself. Soon I was doing it as if I was merely putting a pin into a pin cushion. This was the emergency treatment which was designed to stop the clots from growing any larger.

Then I was moved on to Warfarin tablets, the stuff often used as rat poison, yes, I know, charming,  I thought so too. I had to take these tablets for six months, the plan being that they would lower my blood’s coagulation rate so that the blood clots could begin the long job of dissolving without the danger of new clots forming. This, of course,  increased the danger of haemorrhaging so I had to carry an emergency card just in case I had an accident because the scene would have been rather bloody. I was told I couldn’t have a tooth extracted or any surgical procedures while I was on Warfarin.  I was also told that the doctors didn’t want me to take it for more than six months because, six years ago, I had had a brain haemorrhage. So you can see, this has been a difficult year.

These daily doses of Warfarin where regulated by regular blood tests to see the level of coagulation in my system.

This ritual was performed twice a week, then once a week, then eventually once a month, unless the level of anti-coagulant dropped. I was often recognised as the man with the bandage on his arm.

After all those scans and x-rays, I wasn’t too worried about this blood-test regime and, gradually, I started to feel better – less breathless as the fluid on my lungs dispersed, and, eventually, I felt almost energetic again. The consultant decided after regular visits to the hospital, that six months of Warfarin should do the trick as they could find no underlying cause of those blood clots and decided that they were probably caused by the severe lung infection I suffered last winter.

Pulmonary Embolism is a serious, in fact a life-threatening condition so it is with relief that I can now consider myself out of danger. There’s a 1 in 5 chance of developing another clot once you have had the condition but, I’m told,  that this is unlikely in my case and I certainly hope that the doctors are right. I have to repeat  something I have said on these pages many times before: yet again, in my experience, the British National Health Service, in spite of its difficulties, has been fantastic. Without its care, I might not have been here writing this. So, as I said at the top of this blog, the fact that I’m feeling good today is news-worthy – well for me anyway.

Before my diagnosis, I did a number of public readings of my novel, Stephen Dearsley’s Summer Of Love, without realising that I was seriously ill. I’m glad I didn’t realise the danger I was in when I took part in the Polari Literary Salon readings at at the Royal Festival Hall in February but, looking at the short video that someone took, I can hear that my breathing was anything but normal. Phew. No such problems next week then when I’m reading at Needlewriters Lewes with the poets Sian Thomas and Liz Bahs.

I plan to read from  my first novel Stephen Dearsley’s Summer Of Love (published by Ward Wood Publishing) but also from my new one, Blue Notes, Still Frames, to be published by Ward Wood in 2015. If you are anywhere near Lewes, UK, it would be great to see you there – no wheezing or breathlessness and definitely no blood this time, I promise.

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I heard this week that my novel, Stephen Dearsley’s Summer Of Love has been longlisted for the Polari First book Prize. It’s a real thrill to have got down to the last twelve and now  I’m scared to even think about making it onto the short list of five that will be announced on 8th September.

For the moment I shall just glow with pleasure to have made it this far.

For more details about the Polari Prize, here’s the link:

http://www.polariliterarysalon.co.uk/Polari/

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My reading at the splendid Polari literary salon at London’s Southbank Centre last month will remain a fond memory. Luckily, I discovered the other day that it doesn’t have to be just a memory as Adele Ward, my tirelessly supportive publisher filmed part of it and here’s a chance to see it if you couldn’t get tickets for that sold out event.

In the Summer of 1967, young fogey Stephen Dearsley is on his way to the funeral of a very old Frenchman – his only mentor:

STEPHEN DEARSLEY’S SUMMER OF LOVE BY COLIN BELL

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.

It is now available as a paperback or on Kindle (go to your region’s Amazon site for Kindle orders)

You can order the book from the publishers, Ward Wood Publishing:

http://wardwoodpublishing.co.uk/titles-fiction-colin-bell-stephen-dearsleys-summer-of-love.htm 

…or from Book Depository:

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Stephen-Dearsleys-Summer-Love-Colin-Bell/9781908742070

…or from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Stephen%20Dearsley’s%20Summer%20Of%20love

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I was in London last Friday to read from my book, Stephen Dearsley’s Summer Of Love (published by Ward Wood) at the Polari Literary Salon at the Southbank Centre.

As I was walking to Lewes station to catch my train,  a double rainbow formed in the sky above me. I know it has a scientific explanation but, for a moment or two, I allowed myself to see it as a symbol. Traditionally double rainbows are meant to represent a time of transformation where the spiritual and the worldly combine. I don’t know about that but it was a wonderful sign of encouragement as I headed off to one of the largest, and most receptive, audiences I have ever had to face.

It certainly felt like a moment of transformation standing there in front of an audience of nearly 300 attentive listeners at the sold out event.

They laughed in all the right places with an ear for any nuanced humour that might appear in my work.

I was reading a chapter from my novel and also some of my poetry which also seemed to hold their attention.

It was a perfect audience and a superbly organised event. My thanks and admiration then to  the inspiring Paul Burston who invited me to perform there with fellow writers Jonathan Broughton,  Musa Okwonga, my friend, the ebullient but hard-hitting Rose Collis and another friend, fellow Ward Wood novelist, the mordantly witty, Vg Lee. It was a terrific night so thanks to everyone who made it so special. Thanks to that double rainbow too.

It turned into a very literary weekend as I was also scheduled to read my poetry at Lewes’ Hop Gallery where my friends Dawn and David Stacey have a new exhibition (1 – 13 March) which includes a framed copy of a poem I wrote for Dawn incorporating my impressions of her paintings, one of which I own.

I’ll write more about this tomorrow but, if you can get there, do try to see their work.

More of my poetry reached another audience too on Sunday when two of my new Fibonacci poems were published in the seventeenth issue of the Fib Review. If you want to read my new Fibs, here’s the link:

http://www.musepiepress.com/fibreview/index.html

I shall come back to The Fib Review in a blog later this week but I’m thrilled that my Fibonacci poems continue to be published by this splendid American journal.

That double rainbow wasn’t joking – it really was a truly transformational weekend.

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.

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There are so many things to write about today but, sorry readers, I just don’t have the time! I wanted to say auf wiedersehen to Angela Merkel who was visiting Britain and who put our Prime minister, David Cameron straight about Europe but, sorry I have to rush.  I’ve got a long list of duties, hairdresser, dentist, pay the window cleaner, decide what to wear, change my mind and decide all over again etc. before I get the train up to London for the splendid Polari Literary Salon at the Southbank Centre. Oh yes, I need a coffee before I do anything else so excuse me if I run.

If you can make it and get a ticket do come along tonight, I’ll be reading and signing my new novel, Stephen Dearsley’s Summer Of Love. It would be great to see you there and then, maybe, we could talk about Angela Merkel.

Hey, why not listen to that arthur Russell track again…I posted it here by mistake. Bye for now.

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.

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It’s just too sunny out there. It’s pleasant enough sitting here in my study with the light bursting through the window but I can’t resist the temptation to go out for a walk round town rather than sitting here writing this blog. That doesn’t make me a bad person I hope. I’ve been getting ready for my trip to London tomorrow when I’m reading from my new novel, Stephen Dearsley’s Summer Of Love,  along with some of my poetry, old and new. I’ve decided what to read, done my timings and looked out for stammery phrases, so I’m as ready as I can be. Why not, as they say, chill out for a bit then.

Actually I’m looking forward to what will be a busy couple of days with the reading at the Southbank Centre tomorrow and then another one in Lewes on Saturday at the Hop Gallery when I’m joining my artist friends Dawn and Dave Stacey for an art and poetry event at 2.00. It’s good having my poetry framed on the wall like a real artist.

The main thing now is to try and throw off this annoying illness so a walk in the sunshine isn’t a guilty pleasure at all, it’s a medical necessity. There, if I haven’t convinced you, I’ve eased my conscience. As Oscar Wilde said, I can resist anything but temptation. A bit of fresh air then before the fun at the Polari Literary Salon tomorrow night at the Southbank Centre. I’m told they’ve sold a record number of tickets so that might mean a record audience for little ol’ me even if the rush is for the other readers. So book ahead if you want to come along.

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.

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