My new Brighton novel is published!

Great news! My new novel has arrived. It's always a thrilling moment to see it in print after the three years of drafts and redrafts. Yes, it really exists - that's my first reaction. It looks great too. So thanks to my publishers, Ward Wood Publishing, and to the cover designer, the hugely talented Kayla Bell.


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 and they will be stocking both my novels:

http://www.skylarkshop.com/

I shall be doing my first reading from the new novel tonight, here in Lewes, at the latest Needlewriters event at the lovely Needlemakers centre, in West Street, with my friend, the poet and novelist Kay Syrad and the science fiction writer, Matthew De Abaitua, whom I'm yet to meet. It should be a fun evening so, come along if you can. It would be great to see you there.

Here's the Needlewriters' web link to give you more information about the writers:

http://www.needlewriters.co.uk/#/whats-on/4539813579

P.S. The readings went really well last night at Lewes' Needlewriters' event - I left feeling that new new book is well and truly  'out there'. My thanks to Janet Sutherland and the Needlewriters' committee for their support and for asking me to read. It's a lovely event.

I'm proud to appear alongside so many writer friends and acquaintances in Lewes' The Needlewriters, a new anthology.

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.