A LICHFIELD author says his latest tale has allowed him to explore his own past in a story set against the backdrop of the 1960s music scene.
Neil Coley's Once Below A Time traces the rise and fall of rock icon Jimmy Stephens, capturing a life of fame, loss and regret.
The author said he hoped the recreations of the times and associated music would resonate with readers.
He said:
"I wanted to write about what it was like growing up in Birmingham in the 1960s, but soon realised that that alone wouldn’t be at all interesting to most readers.
"Therefore, I incorporated some of my own experiences into a story about someone who was roughly my age and who, through a mixture of luck and raw talent, started a pop group at school which went on to become hugely famous and influential in the music world.
"I also wanted to explore themes such as friendship, nostalgia, regret, family ties, disappointment and loss, and blend those into a structure loosely based on that of one of my favourite films, Citizen Kane."
Once Below a Time will be released by Cranthorpe Miller Publishers on 29th September in paperback and ebook. For more details and to pre-order, visit the Waterstones or Amazon websites.
