Andrew Cheffings | Updates

Seven Hymns Set in London, in 'A Boxful of Ideas', poetry and prose by LGBT Writers, Paradise Press

Andrew Cheffings — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 11:11:12 -0400

London is full of echoes and shadows of the past. Sometimes this past was barbarically cruel towards those who were different. These poems are poems of remembering and healing.

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“Music became the only place where their silence could finally speak.”

Andrew Cheffings — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In the novel ‘Green Twining’ Joe, Sean, Tim and David hide their inner lives beneath a veneer of ‘normality’. It is music which sets them free, allows chinks to open in their armour and a little light to shine out: the light of hidden, forbidden love. And this light can be as surprising to the person emitting it as to those who feel its warmth, hidden within the walls of the music room.

Find out more and maybe buy a copy at the Indie Author online bookshop here: https://bookstore.allianceindependentauthors.org/author/andrew-cheffings/green-twining

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“Some connections arrive like a storm – unwanted, undeniable, and impossible to forget.”

Andrew Cheffings — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In the novel “Green Twining” the life of the Coffin Family of Green Twining Farm moves – seemingly as it always has done – slowly, silently, haunted by the ghosts of the past. But Joe Coffin, apart from being the farmer’s son, is a keen amateur musician and has recently finished building a spinet. And Tim, an old romantic friend of Joe’s, aware that the spinet might be ready, has come up with an idea for a folk trio he could put together for the next Althwaite Folk Festival combining his own fiddle playing, Joe’s spinet, and the hammered dulcimer playing of a new acquaintance he met on his travels around the Folk Circuit in the Southeast. And he thinks that now – as his feelings for Joe have faded – it would probably be safe to risk performing alongside Joe for the sake of a bit more local musical fame. But things are rarely as simple as they seem. And life at Green Twining Farm is about to change…

You can find out more and purchase a copy from the Alliance of Independent Authors Indie Author Bookstore here: https://bookstore.allianceindependentauthors.org/author/andrew-cheffings/green-twining

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“Some places don’t fall apart all at once – they quietly carry their decline.”

Andrew Cheffings — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In the novel ‘Green Twining’ the Coffin family live at ‘Green Twining Farm’. In the early nineteenth century Green Twining Farm was much bigger than it was in the 1980s. It had twice as much land. So – wanting to show off his affluence – the farmer enlarged the farmhouse to almost twice its previous size. But then later, in less affluent times, when land had to be sold off again, a much smaller farm had to support farm buildings and a farmhouse which were now far too big for the farm. As a result, the family struggled to keep the place in good repair and it slowly declined. And the Coffin family rattled around in a big, dilapidated house, haunted by its past and the pasts of the families who had once lived there.

Find out more with a purchase link here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206284695-green-twining

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“What we call ghosts are often things that have grown quietly out of the past."

Andrew Cheffings — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In ‘Green Twining’ the farmhouse of Green Twining Farm either literally is, or maybe just feels haunted. It is certainly haunted by memories of a painful family history which make it hard to move or even breathe without coming into rhythm with an uncomfortably restrictive past. And every time the walls of the farmhouse move a little more, settling a little further towards the little stream which flows past the farm, the building creaks and groans. Visitors are few and infrequent. The whole place feels as if it is sinking into the heavy boulder clay of the Marsh. But Joe, the farmer’s son has a new job at the town hall in the nearby rundown port town of Scawthorpe. And things are about to change…

Here is a link where you can find out more and purchase a copy:

https://bookstore.allianceindependentauthors.org/author/andrew-cheffings/green-twining

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"Green Twining" finalist in Wishing Shelf Book Awards, 2025

Andrew Cheffings — Thu, 9 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I'm really happy to announce that my novel "Green Twining" was a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards, 2025.

Here are the reviews from the Wishing Shelf readers:

Male, 29
A beautiful, heartfelt story with memorable characters and a romance I couldn't
help rooting for. Warm, emotional and quietly uplifting—I flew through it in just a
couple of evenings.

Female, 48
This book completely won me over.
The romance is lovely, but it's the healing that stayed with me. Watching Joe slowly
believe he deserved happiness was incredibly moving, and I found David's patience
and wisdom genuinely inspiring. There are some difficult themes throughout, but
they're handled with sensitivity and hope.
I also appreciated that the supporting cast wasn't just there to fill space. Tim, Sean
and the rest all have their own journeys, making the whole world feel alive. By the
end I genuinely didn't want to leave Green Twining Farm behind.

Male, 67
As someone who remembers Britain in the mid-1980s very well, I thought the
period details rang true. The atmosphere of a small rural community where
everyone seems to know everyone else's business is captured brilliantly, and it
adds an extra layer of tension to Joe and David's relationship.
What impressed me most, though, was the compassion shown towards every
character. Even those who make poor choices are given understandable
motivations. Sid's struggles, Marion's quiet resilience, Joe's insecurities—they all felt
authentic. The novel reminds us that everyone carries burdens we cannot see.
It's a gentle story rather than a fast-paced one, but if you enjoy character-driven
fiction with emotional depth, this is well worth your time.

Female, 33
I absolutely adored David. What a beautifully written character.
There's such warmth running through this novel, even when it's dealing with some
pretty difficult subjects. The relationship between Joe and David felt gentle and
believable, and I loved how their love gradually helps heal not just themselves but
the people around them too.
It's emotional without being melodramatic, thoughtful without feeling preachy, and
I found myself thinking about the characters long after I'd closed the book.
Definitely one of my favourite reads this year.

Male, 41
This was a real surprise. I picked it up expecting a romance, but what I got was a
much richer story about trauma, family secrets, friendship and learning to accept
yourself.
Joe and David make a lovely couple, but I found myself just as invested in Joe's
parents and the emotional baggage everyone seemed to be carrying. There were
moments that were heartbreaking, others genuinely uplifting, and I never felt the
story became overly sentimental. I'd happily recommend it.

Female, 56
I wasn't expecting this book to affect me quite so deeply. Green Twining is one of
those quiet novels that slowly works its way into your heart. Joe is such a
vulnerable, believable young man, and watching him gradually find the courage to
embrace who he really is felt incredibly rewarding.
What I loved most was that this isn't just a romance. It's about damaged families,
old wounds, forgiveness, and the way kindness can transform people. David is a
wonderfully compassionate character without ever feeling unrealistic, and the
relationship between him and Joe develops at exactly the right pace.
The English countryside is beautifully described too—sometimes peaceful,
sometimes almost haunting. I finished the final chapter feeling strangely hopeful. A
genuinely touching read.

To Sum It Up:
“A hauntingly beautiful and deeply moving LGBTQ+ romance about love, healing, family secrets,
and finding the courage to be yourself. A FINALIST and highly recommended!” Wishing Shelf
Book Awards

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“For a moment, the wind carried everything away.”

Andrew Cheffings — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In Green Twining the sea is a presence always just a short distance away across the town centre of Scawthorpe or across the fields from Green Twining Farm. Whenever one or other of the Coffin family feels upset or out of sorts, the waves of the North Sea are just the thing to soften things a little and absorb a little of their roused emotions.

And in particularly difficult times, you might find yourself throwing hard little rocks into the water. But at more contemplative times it might be rose petals.

Find out more and maybe purchase a copy at: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206284695-green-twining

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“The hardest work is the kind that never seems to end.”

Andrew Cheffings — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Although ‘Green Twining’ is set in the summer of 1985, Joe Coffin’s father, Sid, could easily remember the old times when the whole, icy cold winter was spent digging trenches by hand, back and forth across the fields.

The horizon was long and level and barely changed as young Sid moved slowly across the field, with just the odd, small, bare, winter tree breaking its horizontal ruler-straight line.

The far hedge of the field grew very slightly nearer with each heavy clod of clay dug from the water-logged land, but so slowly that until you got to within the last few yards the distance hardly seemed to change. And then you had to start again a little further along and dig the whole distance in reverse. Back and forth… From dawn till dusk…

That was how you drained the Marsh. That is how you coaxed field crops from the heavy bolder clay.

And it was difficult not to let this harshness seep into your body and mind, making it hard for tender new inner growth to emerge without whole winters of back-breaking effort.

But although the land and the way of life sustained by it had become reluctantly slow-moving and restrictive, Joe had a new job in the nearby town of Scawthorpe, bringing with it a new and colourful injection of life into Green Twining Farm.

Find out more, with a purchase link here: https://bookstore.allianceindependentauthors.org/author/andrew-cheffings/green-twining

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“There are moments when memory becomes the most solid thing we possess, a flickering lamp in the gathering dark.”

Andrew Cheffings — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Even painful memories usually contain the messages which can heal their symptoms. If we can come out of what we were supposed to learn from the experience (which is usually what a powerful person needs us to believe in order that they can remain unchallenged in their privilege) and instead – through contemplation – gain a more expansive view, the emperor’s new clothes can suddenly vaporise before our eyes. Then, without the distraction of all the emperor’s gold braid, we might suddenly realise that we have been looking in the wrong direction – towards our oppressor – rather than in a more wholesome direction – towards those who are our fellow travellers towards liberation!

In ‘Green Twining’ Joe, the farmer’s son finds love and liberation when he allows the oppressive forces of the past to move out of the centre of his vision for a while and instead allows a new and surprising friend deeper into his life.

Here’s the link to Goodreads to find out more and to purchase a copy: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206284695-green-twining

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“Sometimes it’s not the story itself, but what it suggests, that unsettles us.”

Andrew Cheffings — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In ‘Green Twining’ a ‘mysterious stranger’ sends Joe, the farmer’s son, a letter of introduction. And – for reasons probably not even known by the letter writer himself – it contains a strange story the letter’s author was told by their father. It is a story which Joe finds deeply disturbing and which makes him question who exactly it is he is about to welcome to Green Twining Farm as part of the impromptu folk trio his old school friend, Tim, is bringing together to perform later that summer at a local folk festival…

Here is a purchase link to find out more: https://bookstore.allianceindependentauthors.org/author/andrew-cheffings/green-twining

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"We hide certain things not because they are gone, but because they feel dangerous to hold."

Andrew Cheffings — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In ‘Green Twining’ a mysterious guest was expected by Joe Coffin at Green Twining Farm. By means of introduction, this mysterious young man sent Joe a letter. However, in this letter he shared a rather disturbing story, which was both homoerotic and homophobic at the same time. The letter and the soon-to-arrive guest both felt a little dangerous to hold, so Joe slipped the letter between the books on his bookcase. But, although this guest felt somewhat dangerous to know, he was also the potential catalyst which might change everything, in a place where, hitherto, everything seemed stuck in stifling stillness.

Find out more, with a purchase link, on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206284695-green-twining

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"He looked at himself and began to question what he saw."

Andrew Cheffings — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In the novel ‘Green Twining’ Joe Coffin lives in a big old semi-derelict farmhouse out on the Lincolnshire Marsh with his parents. When he was a young child several of the rooms were disused or derelict, and even as a young adult there were still strange, corridor-like spaces connecting the different parts of the long, rambling building.

At the end of one of these corridor-like spaces hung a big and ancient framed photograph of Joe’s paternal Great Grandparents. The photo was in a part of the house which was always quite shadowy, and his Great Grandparents looked stiff and rather stern, and really quite scary, especially his Great Grandfather.

After a few years of having to walk past this severe-looking image to get to his bedroom, Joe started to notice that although his Great Grandfather was pale, with straight, fair hair, and pale eyes, his Great Grandmother’s hair, although severely pulled back into a bun, was – underneath – very dark, quite kinky, and wild. Her eyes, despite her severe pose, were warmly dark, her skin was amber-coloured, and her lips were full.

At school, the few children of colour were often treated differently to their white classmates by the white teachers and were sometimes verbally abused. And Joe began to look at himself in his bedroom mirror and wonder what difficulties were hidden in the photo of his Great Grandparents, also maybe hidden within himself. And he began to wonder about all the stories about what a harsh man his Grandfather Coffin was.

Here is a link to buy ‘Green Twining’: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Green-Twining-Sometimes-little-untangling-ebook/dp/B0CTKVBGWS/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=BbBk9&content-id=amzn1.sym.5e81eabe-938d-4936-a067-ca199f0f9913&pf_rd_p=5e81eabe-938d-4936-a067-ca199f0f9913&pf_rd_r=523-3004902-6756969&pd_rd_wg=T3VCS&pd_rd_r=ec376dae-85c9-4d31-ba54-7cb4408b903b

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"Sometimes a single sentence is enough to change how you see yourself."

Andrew Cheffings — Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The novel, ‘Green Twining’ is set on the Lincolnshire Marsh in 1985. The central character, Joe, was born in 1966 and went to the Primary school in the Village of Midwells-by-the-Marsh, not far from his home at Green Twining Farm.

Primary schools could be quite brutal places in 1971, out on the Marsh, with constant scrapping in the playground and with some support staff having the idea that the way to look after more vulnerable children was to tell them, ‘If he hit you, hit him back!’

And some teachers, even of five-year-olds, would resort to calling children by dirty, humiliating names, isolating them, and beating them against the wall of the classroom to try to enforce order and scare the small children under their care into obedience.

Find out more about the book, with a handy link to the Amazon sales page, on Goodreads, and learn how Joe was able to heal his traumatic past through Queer love and romance:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206284695-green-twining

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The Bliss of Coming Together

Andrew Cheffings — Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

One of the themes of ‘Green Twining’ is how – as part of Nature and the Earth itself – when we come together, in friendship or in romance, our unity reflects and actualises the unity of reality.

Romance can have a deep spiritual quality! It can be a real awakening, especially within the Queerness of Nature!

As a young, gay man, living out on the Lincolnshire Marsh at Green Twining Farm, Joe Coffin feels particularly isolated and alone.

But, if you open to it, there is always the potential in Nature in and around us to help bring us into a deeper communion!

Here is a link to purchase ‘Green Twining’:

https://bookstore.allianceindependentauthors.org/author/andrew-cheffings/green-twining

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Some people enter your life quietly...

Andrew Cheffings — Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In the novel ‘Green Twining’ Joe Coffin lives in a big and ancient crumbling farmhouse out on the Lincolnshire Marsh.

The farm is blighted by ghosts and memories of the family’s ancestral past.

As a young, gay man in an isolated rural community, Joe feels lonely and it is easy for others to take advantage of his vulnerability, then leave…

And then Joe feels even more isolated than if they had never crossed the threshold of Green Twining Farm.

Buy the book here, and enjoy the story of gradually empowerment and transformation:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Green-Twining-Sometimes-little-untangling-ebook/dp/B0CTKVBGWS/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=f5p1x&content-id=amzn1.sym.5e81eabe-938d-4936-a067-ca199f0f9913&pf_rd_p=5e81eabe-938d-4936-a067-ca199f0f9913&pf_rd_r=523-3004902-6756969&pd_rd_wg=K5KcC&pd_rd_r=e49be0f8-6159-4e04-ad95-a4f978482a2a

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After Brauquier

Andrew Cheffings — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I was recently in Marseille. I went partly because I mentioned the city in "Harry and Xavier" and wanted to have a look at the place first hand. But before I went I read a good number of books set in Marseille or written by Marseille authors.

From an LGBTQ+ perspective, I really enjoyed 'Romance in Marseille' by Claude McKay. I also read 5 novels by Jean-Claude Izzo. And through the works of Izzo I discovered the poetry of Louis Brauquier.

While in Marseille, I finished translating one of Brauquier's poems and then made my own song inspired by the translation I had made.

I have illustrated the song with a photo I took from close to Baie Des Singes, near to Les Goudes, a favourite place for Jean-Claude Izzo to sit and contemplate the sunset.

Here is the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmxxn8Rgm38

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The Indie Author Bookstore has just launched!

Andrew Cheffings — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I have a couple of my books available now through the Indie Author Bookstore, "Green Twining" and "Harry and Xavier".

Both stories are set on the Lincolnshire Marsh in the 80s and centre on mm romances.

In "Green Twining" the three members of an impromptu folk band, each representing a different shade of Queer, are looking for love.

In "Harry and Xavier" two friends from very different backgrounds and with different challenges in life find unexpected qualities in each other which could lead to romance, but only if their differences don't cause them to fall out irreparably first...

Here is the Bookstore link: https://bookstore.allianceindependentauthors.org/search?term=Andrew+Cheffings

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New Novel out now: "Harry and Xavier", 'Five Summers to Fall'

Andrew Cheffings — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I wanted to share the beautiful cover of my new novel, "Harry and Xavier" which Harrold-Vincent Villanueva made for me.

The novel is set in Lincolnshire and Paris between the years 1980 and 1985.

Here is the cover blurb:

"Teenager Harry Dixon is feeling ill, desperate and lonely as the last summer term at his dreadful high school grinds on – until his quirky Parisian friend Xavier comes to visit. Mischievous, amiable, distracting… and attractive, Xavier might be just the medicine Harry needs...

As time passes and the two boys grow up, their childhood problems mature into more adult ones, while other relationships and distractions intrude into their feelings for each other. Could all this spell the end for any chance at romance in an unsympathetic world?

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer meets My Beautiful Laundrette in this quirky romantic tale set in the idiosyncratic world of the Lincolnshire Marsh of the 1980s, from the author of the acclaimed Green Twining."

Here is the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harry-Xavier-Five-Summers-Fall/dp/1919391207/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GGtNA2rERMp61uJUgq-F9A.6dNM6zJZG7Z58rNhVmKeu6kel9Agm7qhVlP8RUVGHbw&qid=1771424643&sr=8-1

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New Novel... Launch date, end of January 2026

Andrew Cheffings — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I'm working hard on the finishing touches of a new novel right now. It's a French-English themed mm queer romance. I chose the image for this blog because the view from this café in Brum reminds me of being in Paris - the art nouveau touches, and - if you could see them - the retro interior of the café itself with its old staircase winding up through the building. Everything was going well until the project manager of the launch had to pull out following a personal life challenges, at least for now (I hope everything calms for her soon and that there are good outcomes for her!). So in the meantime I have had to take over the project management role myself! In France, Harrold-Vincent Villanueva is busy working on the cover design. In the USA, the contents are being formatted. And here, in Brum, I'm busy liaising with different professionals and trying to put together slimmed down but still effective launch. Ultimately you can't control anything once you move from your own creative process out into the world beyond, I think. But that in itself can be exciting - if a little nerve wracking at times!

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New Video for "Green Twining"

Andrew Cheffings — Mon, 4 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Embedded Youtube video removed, see original post to watch.

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