Mapperley’s Writers

We invited our readers to tell us about the authors, poets and writers with strong connections to the area.

Here’s what we have learnt so far, listed in alphabetical order:

ANDREWS, Tom

Tom is the Police Historian for Nottinghamshire and has published The Greatest Policeman?: A Biography of Capt Athelstan Popkess. 

Popkess was the renowned Chief Constable from 1930 to 1959.

Could it be possible that just one man is responsible for modernising the British Police service and transforming it from its Victorian era, firmly rooted in ‘Beat’ policing, to today’s highly-mobile responsive model? If there is a candidate for such an accolade then it is to be Capt Athelstan Popkess.

BELSHAW, Trevor

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B004RZBXY6/about

In 2021 Trevor Belshaw signed a multi-book deal with Spellbound Books Ltd. He is currently working on The Medway Murders, the fourth Amy Rowlings mystery.

BILLINGTON, James

‘Instascam: Inside The Murky World of Instagram Scammers’.

It’s a book showing the very silly conversations I’ve had with scammers on Instagram including custody battle with Billie Piper, million pound armed robberies, a group chat with two Keanu Reeves and more.

There’s also interviews with scammers in Nigeria talking about what they do as well as looking at Instagram as a company and what they are doing to help support its users.

CANN, Chris

Chris lived in Mapperley from 1975 to 1991 and now lives in Gedling. Her memoirs titled ‘Faceblind in Berlin, Suffolk and Gedling’ was published by Loaf on a Stick Press and is available at Five Leaves Bookshop in town

HAYWARD, Christopher

Sir Lankylot and Clip Clop Bill

Chris grew up in Nottingham and left school at 15, when he got a job as an apprentice joiner, working for himself until retirement. In late 2021 he had an idea about a knight called Sir Lankylot or lanky for short and from there his first story was born.

LAWRENCE, David Herbert

We’re serious. Lets add DH Lawrence to this. We know of his connection to Victoria Crescent off Private Road. His mother Lydia Beardsall lived in Sneinton and she married Arthur John Lawrence at Sneinton on the 27th December 1875 before moving to Eastwood

Literary Locations: Victoria Crescent Mapperley – Nottingham City of Literature

LIPSEY-LIU, Stephanie

Seffy The Dragon Learns To Tell The Time

Stephanie is an optician turned children’s author with a passion for non-fiction.

Her first two books are both about collective nouns for animals with fun facts added in. She collaborated with artist Jemma Dando who created the stunning illustrations.

MASSEY, Bob

Bob Massey is a local historian who has published several books on the history of Arnold, Mapperley and the area around it.

MONAGHAN, Nicola

Nicola Monaghan is an English novelist and author of The Killing Jar, Starfishing and The Okinawa Dragon. She grew up in Nottingham, and gave up a career in finance to pursue an MA in creative writing at Nottingham Trent University. 

MORRELL, Jacques

Jacques released The Showman in 2016. It is a suspense thriller set in 1978 and it centres around Nottingham’s Goose Fair. A number of deaths occur. Whilst all are sudden and bizarre, none are treated as suspicious. Were the police missing a vital link? What relevance was the presence of an American tourist? With the death toll rising, someone needs to take responsibility.

POLLARD, Gary

The Wandering Lyricist 

A collection of poems published in 2019.

The poetry in this anthology ‘The Wandering Lyricist’ covers a wide range of topics with a rhythmic and insightful style.

RYAN, Hazel

52 Patterns For The Soul

Produced by local artist Hazel Ryan, it’s a colouring book for grown-ups.

In 2021 Hazel’s sister died of cancer, and the book is a series of patterns inspired by Hazel’s memories of her. With 52 unique patterns, you’ll embark on a year-long exploration of creativity, mindfulness, and relaxation.

STEVENS, Clare 

Clare Stevens has lived most of her adult life in Nottingham with brief sojourns in four other UK cities. She began her career as a journalist, working mainly for the Nottingham Post group, before spending several years in government communications.

Recently she made the switch from spin-doctor to story spinner and embarked on an MA in Creative Writing at Nottingham Trent University, which she passed with distinction. 

Clare wrote her first novel Blue Tide Rising (2019) while on the course, and used it as the basis for her dissertation.

Blue Tide Rising: When Amy Blue wakes to find a stranger in her bedroom, she’s not particularly alarmed. This is beautiful, calm, androgynous Jay, who listens to her story and appears to want to help, with no hidden agenda.

SWIFTSON, Mandy

Timmy Saves Easter

One of the Easter Egg making machines on Easter Egg Island, is making too much chocolate. The Easter Bunny needs help from Timmy in this latest adventure with his magic book, to save Easter. Will Timmy be able to stop the Egg making machine making too much chocolate?

Will Easter be saved?

TAYLOR-FORD, Jeanette

Jeanette is a ‘compulsive yarn-spinner and teller of tales.

A melting pot of crime, mystery and other strange things.

Author of 5 ‘alternative’ paranormal works, ‘Rosa’, ‘Bell of Warning’, The ‘Castell Glas Trilogy’, and others.

Her website is Samonafiction.com

THORTIFY

Thortify – The Art of Self Care is proud to be supported using public funds by Arts Council England. We have been granted funding to develop three self care workbooks aimed at empowering people to improve their well-being through art, creativity and self care.

TREMBIRTH, Craig

Craig Trembirth is a local author living in Sherwood and has just published his second book titled Pandora’s Jukebox. The book features fifty-two influential recording artists to discover. There’s a short biography of each band, descriptions of their most notable songs and album, recommendations for similar artists and a place to add your own thoughts.