Herefordshire Author Book Signing at The Courtyard Shop!

Local Herefordshire author and film-maker, Ian Lewis, will visit The Courtyard to sign copies of his new children’s book, The Ballad of Billy Bean.

The Ballad of Billy Bean by Herefordshire author, Ian Lewis, has recently been published by Fitzroy Books. Ian Lewis will be at The Courtyard’s Shop on Wednesday 17 August 2022 between 12pm – 1.30pm to sign copies of his new children’s novel!

Take a look at the book trailer:

The Story

London, 1913. Billy Bean is a street kid, and a thief. He’s also a talented performer, and he’s picked up by Fred Karno’s music–hall company. When Charlie Chaplin leaves Karno for the movies, Billy is sent to America to replace him.

Billy wants to work in movies, too, and it’s not long before he gets his lucky break. But his luck runs out and the movie career goes horribly wrong. Soon he’s on the streets again. He’s hoping that his childhood skills and a cheeky grin will keep him from starvation. But now his life is in danger.

Readers have said:

“I haven’t enjoyed a book so much for ages. Billy is one of the most engaging, honest and entertaining characters that I have ever read.” Marilyn Pemberton, author The Song of the Nightingale.

“I have to say I was disappointed it wasn’t twice as long! I loved the voices and characters and wanted to hang out with them longer.” David Roth, author The Femme Fatale Project.

Ian Lewis is a filmmaker and writer living in Hope Mansell near Ross. Early in his career he worked at Thames Television on two acclaimed ITV network series about silent movies, Hollywood – a celebration of the American Silent Film and Unknown Chaplin.

He has previously published four non-fiction books with publishers such as Bloomsbury and Oxford University Press, and he wrote scripts for the worldwide children’s animation hit, Mona the Vampire.

Contact Ian on ian@storymachine.co.uk or +44 (0)7810 394026

His websites: www.storymachine.co.uk and www.farnhamfilm.com