The Writers of Wales Database

STROHMER, PETINA

Website: http://www.petinastrohmer.com/  

Born in Essex, Petina now lives and works (writing, teaching and running a smallholding) in South Wales. Leaf Books have recently published her first novel entitled Truly Blue (Leaf Books, 2009) - a rock and roll parable. A second novel, entitled Powerplay - a modern-day, grown-up Lord Of The Flies, is as yet unpublished. Petina has also written fifty short stories, with work published in the music magazine Total Production International and also online (including the Time Out - "Write Up Your Street" project). Some of her work has been published under the pen-name of Petina Rowsell.

She is a member of the semi-professional Scriveners writing group of Abergavenny and was a Finalist in the Cinnamon Press June 2007 Novel Awards and The Chapter One Promotions Competition 2008. She won the October text lit competition (txtlit.co.uk), was short-listed in both the December 2007 and the April 2008 edition of the above, in addition to earning a commendation in Blaenau Gwent Writing 2007.

Reviews:

“…Well constructed, confident writing…original and interesting ideas…strong characters…flowing language style…”
James Robertson

“…A strong, warm and moving family drama...”
Robert Nisbet

With respect to Truly Blue (Leaf Books, 2009)

“...Petina Strohmer’s work is meticulous. She has a passion for excellence...”
Jane Blank

“...A thoroughly engaging writer with an often cinematic style that lends itself equally well to both the printed word and the small screen...”
Mark Cunningham; Editor of Total Production International


Selected Publications:
Truly Blue (Leaf Books, 2009)

Contributed to:
The Pages Anthology Spring 2008 (contributor) (The Pages, 2008)




Truly Blue (Leaf Books, 2009)

“Mentally-ill-arious – ha ha ha!”

As the band Truly Blue make it big in Sixties London,their lead singer, the irrepressible David Stadman, becomes involved in all manner of outrageous rock and roll antics; rubbing shoulders with The Rolling Stones, The Who and other major stars of the day. But as well as being a gifted musician, David was also born psychologically dysfunctional in the days before this condition was widely recognised, let alone had become fashionable.

Inspired by the lives of other ‘vulnerables’ e.g. Brian Jones, Syd Barrett, Keith Moon et al, Truly Blue chronicles David’s rise and fall. The exploitation of his excessive nature by both management and media, the expectations of the public, the drink, the drugs, the fickle relationships and loss of grounding. All factors that contributed to the destruction of such individuals.

In the midst of the madness, however, there remains the possibility of redemption through family, true friends and finally, a very tough love.

To purchase this title from Leaf Books, please click on the front cover