Friendship key to novel

A FORMER Free Press editor is standing by for the release of his new book.

Stuart Robertson’s third novel was due to be available to buy as a paperback book or as an ebook from January 11.

Stand By Me (Avon HarperCollins, £7.99) is a heartwarming story about friendship.

It’s set in and around the Manchester area, partly now and partly in the 1990s.

It follows on from the success of his first two books, Time to Say Goodbye and If Ever I Fall.

The 41-year-old writes under the name S.D. Robertson.

He has also seen his work printed in various foreign languages around the world, including Japanese, Swedish, German, Portuguese and Chinese.

Stuart, who headed up the paper for four years, said: “I can’t wait for my next novel to hit the shelves.

“I’m really proud of this one. Hopefully people will get as much out of reading it as I did from writing it.

“Stand By Me is a totally new story with a fresh cast of characters.

“However, regular readers might be interested to know that one of the protagonists from my first novel does make a small reappearance in this one.”

Stuart, from Helmshore, explained that his latest book looked at the powerful and changing nature of a long friendship.

He said: “My two central characters, Elliot and Lisa, meet as 11-year-olds in the early nineties and remain great pals as they traverse secondary school and grow into adults together.

“Then life pulls them apart – until one day, totally out of the blue, Elliot returns just when Lisa needs him most.

“As the story flits between past and present, we gradually learn the remarkable truth about Elliot’s return and what it means for both of their futures.”

Stuart became editor of the Free Press in 2005 before leaving in 2009 when his wife, Claudia, who had been a stay-at-home mum to their daughter, Kirsten, went back to work.

His first book, Time to Say Goodbye, focuses on the close bond between a father and daughter, which explores what a parent would say to a child in the face of death.

Stuart, who is currently busy working on book four, said one of the best things about being published was hearing from readers who had enjoyed his work.

He said: “It’s wonderful to hear from people who have read what I’ve written and taken something from it.” ●● Above, author Stuart Robinson, and below, his new book, Stand by Me