Midlands author Shirley Thompson, known for her biographies of several of the region’s best known characters, launched her tenth book in 2011 – an intriguing Transatlantic saga, at Waterstone’s Bookshop, High Street, Solihull at 12 noon on Saturday June 26th 2011.
Co-written with American novelist Caroline Boumer, Shirley’s latest book Unlocking The Gates is set in the UK, Canada and America, spanning two centuries and focusing on one woman’s shock at finding a confession letter from her late mother which reveals the true identity of her biological father.
Shirley, a former teacher, describes herself as a chameleon writer who has produced everything from biographies to fiction, poetry and children’s books.
Her novels have been created later in her writing career and she says producing fiction has been the fulfilment of a long-held dream. Shirley’s first novel, an erotic love triangle called Adrift in Paradise was produced in 2009. She has also co-written a children’s book The Power of the Pendant with ten-year-old Cerys Stansfield.
“I feel writing so much non-fiction has helped to make me a better novelist,” said Shirley, from Solihull. “Writing my latest novel with Caroline in America has been a fantastic experience. There have been many emails and Transatlantic phone calls until we were both happy with the book.”
In earlier works, Shirley has revealed the hidden lives of well-known Birmingham characters such as wrestler turned actor Pat Roach, nightclub king Eddie Fewtrell and Irish-born businessman Seamus Dunleavy. Her books on Fewtrell, Dunleavy and The Power of the Pendant, all made it to the top of Borders and Waterstone’s local best seller lists. All her works, to date, have been published by Brewin Books, based in Studley.
Three Launches for Kash Gill’s new biography, My Life in a Flash (ISBN 978-1-85858-499-7), have now taken place.
The first of these was at Waterstone’s Bookshop, High Street Solihull, on Saturday 6th October 2012. There was a special parade to begin the proceedings and the Launch/Signing was opened by the Lord and Lady Mayoress of Solihull. The Birmingham Launch at W.H. Smith’s Bookstore, Birmingham City Centre on Saturday 20th October 2012 was attended by the Lord and Lady Mayoress of Birmingham and was a great success. A third Launch took place at Handsworth Library on Saturday 3rd November 2012.
Launch photos can be seen on the Biographies page.
Book signings at Waterstone’s Bookshop, High Street, Solihull, Saturday 25th June, and Waterstone’s, New Street, Birmingham City Centre, Saturday 9th July 2011
Details of all Shirley’s books, inlcuding her latest books Unlocking The Gates, The Power of the Pendant and Adrift in Paradise, can be found on the following pages. Signed copies of all Shirley’s books are available.
To arrange a talk for your club or society about Pat Roach, Alton Douglas, Seamus Dunleavy or Eddie Fewtrell please contact Shirley. Shirley also gives talks about writing in a variety of genres including fiction books, biographies and children’s story books.