Shirley Thompson — Freelance Writer
Midlands author Shirley Thompson, known for her biographies of several of the region’s best known characters, launched her latest book, 65 Brunswick Road, recently at W.H. Smith in Solihull.
65 Brunswick — The Musical
When Tommy Shelby, Steven Knight’s lead character in Peaky Blinders, first rode onto our television screens, viewers met a battle-scarred but still relatively young veteran of the Great War.
Meanwhile, in the neighbouring real-life streets of Balsall Heath and Sparkhill, the Wareing family — eight children and their musically gifted mother, Lilian — struggled to cope when their invalid father returned to 65 Brunswick Road, fresh from the hell of Gallipoli. Harry Senior, the author’s grandfather, had contracted meningitis and came home a self-centred, ruthless stranger.
With a Good Old Days-style introduction by comedian, entertainer and Papal Knight Don Maclean, the musical features 12 newly composed songs by the author.
Add a diverse cast of characters and shades of Oliver Twist, and the result is an exciting new musical — just ripe for performance.
65 Brunswick Road
Tap to enlarge
65 Brunswick Road is Shirley Thompson’s (née Wareing) broadly based, extensively researched personal family saga. Centred on Balsall Heath, but also taking in Worcester, other parts of the UK and Ireland, it tells the stories of five families from the 18th century to the present day — heart-warming, tragic and often dramatic, full of highs and lows and surprising connections.
With a foreword by comedian, entertainer and Papal Knight Don Maclean, the story is presented in a unique format, accompanied by an extensive and highly original collection of photographs and documents. Other contributors include entrepreneurs, family members, internationally acclaimed writer Helen McCabe and a cross-section of former Balsall Heath residents. A story not to be missed.
- Available now!
- 244 pages
- £15.95
- ISBN 978-1-85858-577-2
Some launch photos.
Against All Odds – The Carlson House Legacy
Most of us take our physical well-being, and our ability to cope with life in general, for granted. But take a moment to consider: what if we had to spend most of our lives in a wheelchair, largely dependent on help from others?
At 76, David — assisted by his biographer, Shirley Thompson — recalls the ups and downs of life as a paraplegic, with the humour and intelligence that have helped him cope with all manner of daunting situations.
At the end of the Second World War, philanthropist Paul Cadbury helped to establish a pioneering centre of excellence for disabled children in Harborne, Birmingham, which became known as Carlson House School. With a foreword by Paul Cadbury’s granddaughter, this broadly based book also includes thought-provoking insights from friends and health care professionals, into both David’s life and disability in general.
Proposed publication date May 2018.
A chameleon writer
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.
Out and about
Three Launches for Kash Gill’s new biography, My Life in a Flash (ISBN 978-1-85858-499-7), have now taken place.
- 6 Oct 2012
Waterstone’s Bookshop, High Street Solihull
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.
- 20 Oct 2012
W.H. Smith’s Bookstore, Birmingham City Centre
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.
- 3 Nov 2012
Handsworth Library
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 The Brewin Father’s Day Event, Touchwood Shopping Centre, Solihull, 20th and 21st June 2015, 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
Details of all Shirley’s books, including 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.
A talk for your club or society
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.
- Pat Roach
- Alton Douglas
- Seamus Dunleavy
- Eddie Fewtrell
- Writing fiction
- Writing biographies
- Children’s story books
Special deals available on all books
If you would like a book signed for yourself or for someone else please ask.