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QueenSpark Books Archive - Free Full Text Books
A unique searchable archive of the books published by QueenSpark Books up until 2010. Free to view and full text this collection features voices that tell the story of Brighton and Hove, across the 20th Century, in their own words. The majority of these titles are now out-of-print.
You can buy those still in-print, and newer titles, with this link.
Serious Intent - QueenSpark Poetry Anthology 2
Author(s): Shirley Beckett, Danny Birchall, Birdman, Ross Clifford, Ivor Colledge, Valerie Croft, Sonia Ctvrtecka, Phyllis Damonte, Debo, Philip Eley, Sophie Embury, Beryl Fenton, Gerald Fiebig, Steve Gilligan, John Greenwood, Clive Hackney, John Head, Nyk Irvin, Simon Jenner, Roger Lindsey, Julie Martin, Glyn Morrow, Helmuth Osbourne, Nick Osmond, Sam Royce, Pauline Suett, Nick Sweet, John Tatum, Tricia Turner-Savage, Arthur Thickett, Jan Walsh
Published: 1996
Serious Intent is the second book in the QueenSpark poetry anthology. It was intended to be a sequel to Poetry, our first collection of verse, but as it developed, it became evident that there was sufficient material of great depth and scope for it to be published in its own right. It is a collection in the QueenSpark tradition of publishing new, original and varied poetry by local writers from a wide variety of backgrounds and the topics will appeal to the young and the old, the humorous and the serious. It offers an informative and accessible read for an audience that encompasses all ages and interests.Write from the Beginning - Special childhood days
Author(s): Irene Andrew, Dorothy Fuller, Gilbert Grover, Dave Huggins, Wendy Jones, Kit Keay, Lee Lacy, Kathleen Malenczak, Saviour Pirotta, Kathleen Wilson, Michael Wilson
Published: 2002
This work is the culmination of an eight-month creative writing programme that ran at QueenSpark from August 2001 to March 2002 and included two ten-week creative writing courses and four introductory sessions on writing autobiographically. Its aim was to involve new and diverse audiences and writers in the joys of creative writing. It utilised a variety of techniques and methods to explore two central themes; one of which was writing for children and the other was looking at childhood memories. This anthology contains work from the Vallance Memories Group and the Brunswick Older People"s Project and as well as being an enjoyable read, it provides a stimulus for reminiscence work, particularly with older members of the community.Bad Dog Wally
Author(s): Lynn Armstrong
Published: 1993
This is the story of a dog that was rescued from Battersea Dogs Home in London by a family. It is notable for its unusual style and use of language, in that it consists almost entirely of cartoons with only minimal use of the written word. Each page is based on an event in Wally"s life, and contains one sentence that is graphically illustrated in a child-like scrawl. The bright red cover adds another layer to the visual images contained within, and taken together, the book as a whole invokes a somewhat troubled response in the reader. At first glance, the cartoons appear naive and childlike, but a closer examination reveals the author's sense of black humour and satirical purpose. Apparently childlike, the book is interesting, because it can be read on several levels, and incorporates universal themes such as loss, betrayal and isolation.On the Writing Trail - Short stories by QueenSpark writers
Author(s): Leila Abrahams, Ethel Akhurst, Margory Batchelor, Shirley Beckett, Sylvia Calvert, Valerie Croft, Stevie English, Valerie Goble, Margaret Howell, Keith Kennedy, Susie Mehmed, Robert J Miles, Nick Osmond, Violet Pumphrey, Sam Royce, Claire Shelton-Jones, John Tatum, Arthur Thickett, P B Thomas
Published: 1999
This diverse anthology of short stories is a rare excursion for QueenSpark into publishing fiction. The stories explore childhood themes from an adult perspective, often in a quirky and original style. The content is entertaining, with a clear sense of humour evident throughout. The book recognises that writing fiction is part of a personal, subjective process and the stories in this collection reflect the individual experiences, ideas and inspirations of each of the writers. Through the writing process, it has allowed people who might not otherwise have classified themselves as authors to see their creativity find an outlet through the publication of this work.Rare book
International Service
Author(s): Kathleen Wilson
Published: 2002
With wartime Brighton as a backdrop, International Service tells the tale of Kathleen Wilson's naive teenage years, when her domineering father chose the jobs that she took and discouraged her passion for writing. It covers the time she spent working in family-run shops, through to her years at the International Stores in Preston Road and brings to life the atmosphere of the grocery trade in the period up to the 1950s. With her light-hearted and often humorous style, International Service enabled Kathleen to share her life story with the reader, who can follow her progression towards independence.The Lone Rangers - Single Parents' Writing Project
Author(s): Karen Clark, Dawn Evans, Liz Ezra, Miranda Frost, Sharon Halsall, Lorna Jones, Sophie March, Shirley May
Published: 1995
Seven single parents share their personal hopes, fears, struggles and achievements on their respective journeys through parenthood. The book focuses on the challenges they face, particularly when taking on the role of both mother and father in their children's lives. It acknowledges the effort and energy required of them, as they make important life choices about their children's schooling and welfare. The book is especially interesting because it documents what it means to live in an era where, unfortunately, discrimination can still exist. This is a must for every single parent in our community!Boxing Day Baby
Author(s): Barbara Chapman
Published: 1994
Barbara Chapman was born in Brighton on a snowy Boxing Day in 1927 and in this autobiography, she reminisces about her early childhood; focusing on her memories of home and school, and the effects of the Second World War on herself, her family, and the community. Barbara shares her experiences of working life in the Brighton area; telling stories of her jobs, including her work as a waitress and a telephonist at the Old Ship Hotel. She recollects vividly a bygone era, narrating her life history with honesty, humour and charm and invoking for the reader a very personal impression of the city during the early 1930s and 1940s.Backstage Brighton - Theatre Going in Brighton & Hove
Author(s):
Published: 2010
In 1900 Brighton had more theatres than anywhere in the UK outside London. Backstage Brighton from QueenSpark Books celebrates theatre and theatre-going in the city, past and present. If you ever wondered what once stood on the site of the Brighton Centre or why the Sallis Benney Theatre is so-called, alongside first person memories of venues from those who were there, then you’ll be enthralled by the book’s fascinating journey through the history and heritage of Brighton & Hove’s many theatrical venues. ‘The Grand was cheaper and more working class than the Theatre Royal. You could get a seat and entertainment for about a shilling. There were about 300 seats, and there were some real characters playing there, like Max Miller. The most expensive seat was one and six, but up in the gallery used to be nine pence. All the yobs used to go up there because it was so cheap. They used to throw sweet wrappers and everything down on people.’ Bill Richards (Local resident) Lavishly illustrated throughout with colour and black-and-white historic photographs, this 76-page A4 paperback book is the companion-piece to Back Row Brighton: Cinema-Going in Brighton & Hove.The Church round the Corner - St. Anne’s, Kemp Town
Author(s): Maurice Packham
Published: 2000
This intelligently written book examines the social and religious history of St. Anne's Church, which was located in the heart of Brighton. Maurice Packman, the author, was a choirboy at St. Anne's in the 1930s and he takes a gently humorous look at the community of his fellow worshippers. The church has been demolished, but memories of the trials and tribulations of its parishioners live on through the eyes of the author.A Daughter of the State
Author(s): Kathleen Dalley
Published: 1998
In this poignant book, the author writes with candour about her experience of growing up in a workhouse children's home in London during the Twenties and Thirties. Kathleen Dalley's story is told with clarity and sensitivity, yet refrains from sentimentality. She describes an institutionalised childhood where strict members of staff upheld the rules and procedures that were in place, and the institution took the place of the family unit, having overall responsibility for the upbringing of the children in care. This is an important and compelling work that vividly describes both a personal and a social history of the times. It depicts the actual experiences and expectations of working-class girls, who at best, as adults went into service, or at worst were sent to the workhouse.