martin firrell
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martin firrell company publishes high quality contemporary fiction and non
fiction designed to provoke debate about the complex business of living

We publish in three main strands: modern fiction, modern thought and modern theosophy.

All three strands aim to contribute insight about living richly and well.

We publish original paperbacks and hardbacks in high quality modern editions.

Each edition is characterised by excellent contemporary design and typographical interiors that are easy and inviting to read.

We also publish texts in the historical tradition of pamphleteering, using the written word to catalyse social change.

These documents include speeches, essays and social theories; political tracts and polemics connected with feminist thought, political economics, alternative social structures, gender equality and the LGBT+ equality movement.

Our publishing programme is supported financially by organisations with an interest in fairness, inclusion and social and spiritual progress.

Our supporters include the world's oldest insurance market Lloyd's, the water utility company Severn Trent, and leading media company Clear Channel.

william jackson gay horror
SATAN'S LAMP
'All who turn the pages of ‘Satan’s Lamp’ - and surrender to the story - will not be disappointed.' ~ Linda Hayden

Devil’s Rock is the bleakest lighthouse station off the Cornish coast. A lonely rock that locals say is haunted. That’s why they call it ‘Satan’s Lamp’. Young Jabe Walker, a rookie keeper, is plagued by nightmares of his abusive father - the father Jabe killed when he was just ten years old. Now it is the 15th of October 1987 and one of the most violent storms in history is about to strike the English coast. On this night Jabe is forced to confront his violent past.

His father is back from the dead and hell-bent on revenge.

First Edition | Original paperback
Published 31 March 2023
ISBN 978-1912622399
RRP £12.99
111 x 178mm | 202 pages

cover art | author website | press pack
SHAPES IN THE DARK
'The writing is immensely visual, hauntingly gentle and spine-chilling in equal measure. Bewitching and erotic. What a heady mix of emotions!'

So writes Caroline Munro in her introduction to this nerve-shredding collection by William Jackson, the new master of gay horror who strikes at the heart of the reader's deepest fears, then twists his pen.

With their deserted lanes and isolated cottages, wolfish men and vampire vixens, his wicked tales have been described as 'Hammer Horror for the 21st Century'.

First Edition | Original paperback
Published 25 October 2021
ISBN 978-1912622337
RRP £11.99
133 x 203mm | 190 pages

cover art | author website | press pack
THE BRUTAL KISS: TWO STORIES

PEEPER
London, the seventies: in the blistering heatwave of 1976, teenager Robert aches to be taken savagely by Lightning Jack, the neighbourhood peeping tom.

LITTLE HORNED GOD
Norfolk, present day: up-and-coming playwright, Ethan, wants to get naked with laddish Danny. But Danny's hard body and boyish charms disguise a rotten secret.

Be careful what you wish for.

'William Jackson’s writing is immensely visual, he delves under the surface of the everyday to explore what really lies beneath.' ~ Caroline Munro

First Limited Edition | Original Paperback
ISBN 978-1912622436
111 x 178mm | 64 pages
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KILL JOHNNY
An illustrated, limited edition volume about fame, vanity, sex, and the killing of Johnny.

Noah Bell is a small-time writer with big ambitions.

Now he thinks he’s discovered an easy route to the fame and recognition he craves. There’s just one thing standing in his way.

Johnny.

'William jackson’s writing is immensely visual. he delves under the surface of the every day to explore what really lies beneath.' ~ Caroline Munro.

First Limited Edition | Original Paperback
ISBN 978-1912622375
111 x 178mm | 36 pages
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barry stewart hunter modern fiction
REPUBLIC OF NORTH LONDON
THREE NOVELLAS
An anxious father battles to stop his world crashing down around him. A bereaved schoolboy waits half a lifetime to honour his mother’s memory. An apprentice spy makes a desperate last stand against the forces of fascism. In the contemporary city, on the sunny Costas, and in a dystopian future kingdom, three reluctant protagonists struggle to live up to an ideal of themselves before ultimately succeeding against all odds and expectations. In these three loosely linked and fiercely honest novellas, the author returns to his signature themes of desire, regret, death, and the possibility of love.

First Edition | Original hardback
Published 31 March 2023
ISBN 978-1912622412
RRP £17.99
140 x 216mm | 218 pages Paperback ISBN 978-1912622405
RRP £12.99
133 x 203mm | 218 pages

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THE SWIMMING OF THE DEER
England, 1956. In a small rural community on the brink of change, a schoolboy is at war with his own body. What will it take to fulfil his misbegotten destiny?

Guiding his hollowed-out mother towards the idea of happiness? Victory in the Scramble, a brutal 'chariot race', a metaphor for the futility of existence, and the youth's best chance of knowing who he can be?

How will it end? Under the famished eye of the narrator, for whom the young Davy James is already the focus of forbidden desire. A strange, yet strangely believable world.' TIM PEARS

First Edition | Original hardback
Published 18 May 2020
ISBN 978-1912622283
RRP £17.99
140 x 216mm | 186 pages Paperback ISBN 978-1912622276
RRP £12.99
133 x 203mm | 186 pages

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ADEN
This new edition of Barry Stewart Hunter's epic end-of-empire tale marks the 50th anniversary of the revolution in Aden, a British Crown Colony strategically sited at the mouth of the Red Sea. In November 1967, following a prolonged and bloody insurgency backed by the USSR, the Union flag was lowered for the last time.

A ravishing story of love, loss, ambition and betrayal set against the backdrop of revolution, Aden is the first fictional account of these landmark events in British colonial era history.

50th Anniversary Edition | Original Paperback
Published 22 September 2017
ISBN 978-0993178665
RRP £14.99
133 x 203mm | 358 pages

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TWO SUMMERS OF BILLY MORTON
A powerful evocation of a young man's life and a queer love letter to 1960s Paris. The world is on fire, and so is the imagination of a young English photographer hungry for self-knowledge. But knowledge comes at a price.

When he swaps London for Paris on the eve of the May événements, falling disastrously for handsome Lafcadio in the process, the stage is set for the fateful choice that threatens to curse Billy forever.

First Edition | Original Paperback
Published 12 April 2018
ISBN 978-1912622016
RRP £13.99
133 x 203mm | 294 pages

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SOMETHING YOU ONCE TOLD ME
Discover ten highly original and deeply human stories from a writer who knows what it means to love and lose.

Intelligent, brave and funny, this stylish collection has classic written all over it.

First Edition | Original paperback
Published 9 March 2017
ISBN 978-0993178641
RRP £9.99
133 x 203mm | 172 pages

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moon laramie modern theosophy
BLAVATSKY UNVEILED
Isis Unveiled, published in 1877, was H. P. Blavatsky's original occult masterpiece and covered a wide range of topics from ancient Egyptian Mystery schools to the conflict between science and spiritualism. But Blavatsky's elaborate Victorian prose presents a major stumbling block for the 21st-century reader.

Blavatsky Unveiled Vol. I addresses these linguistic challenges by rendering the original text into easily accessible modern English with detailed notes and a comprehensive 'Who's Who' section. All references have been meticulously researched and, where possible, verified from their primary source material.

First Edition | Original paperback
Published 21 September 2020
ISBN 978-0993178696
RRP £19.99
156 x 234mm | 458 pages

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SPIRIT OF GARBO
Born in 1905 in the slums of Stockholm, Greta Garbo went on to become the first ever global film star. Spirit of Garbo is a biographical exploration of the spiritual woman behind the iconic Swedish film actor.

Using meticulously researched details from the personal life of Garbo and the creative arcs of her films, it charts her often complex relationship with celebrity, art and spirituality. Through the eyes of Garbo, the book brings to the reader insight into the theosophical movement, Abraham Maslow's investigations into psychological health and the precarious position of a spiritual seeker in the material world.

First Edition | Original Hardback
Publication date 17 September 2018
ISBN 978-1912622023
RRP £20.99
Paperback ISBN 978-0993178672
RRP £11.99
140 x 215mm | 194 pages

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THE ZOMBIE INSIDE
The Law of Attraction is activated by adventurousness of spirit. What holds you back is your inner zombie - the apprehensive voice inside that undermines your confidence.

Moon Laramie gives you practical advice on silencing your inner zombie and takes you on a journey to meet your inner adventurer.

'A salutary reminder that we really do have a choice about how we live' - Hilary Boyd

First Edition | Original paperback
Published 12 July 2016
ISBN 978-0993178627
RRP £9.99
129 x 198mm | 146 pages

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modern theosophy series (uniform edition)
THEOSOPHY AND THE
SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS
The modern theosophy series re-presents classic texts from great theosophical thinkers in combination with texts on the same subject from contemporary theosophical authors.

The Search for Happiness by Annie Besant, first published in 1908, is presented with the writing of contemporary theosophist Moon Laramie.

First Edition | Original Hardback
Publication date 31 May 2019
ISBN 978-1912622054
RRP £12.99
Paperback ISBN 978-1912622047
RRP £5.99
127 x 203mm | 70 pages

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ART AND THEOSOPHY
The modern theosophy series re-presents classic texts from great theosophical thinkers in combination with texts on the same subject from contemporary theosophical authors.

Art and Theosophy re-examines the ideas of the Russian theosophist Aleksandra Loginovna Pogosskaia in her texts The International Union of Arts and Crafts (Parts 1 and 2), first published in 1917. Pogosskaia's ideas are compared with those of prominent contemporary artists.

First Edition | Original Hardback
Publication date: 16 August 2019
ISBN 978-1912622061
RRP £12.99
Paperback ISBN 978-1912622108
RRP £5.99
127 x 203mm | 94 pages

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THEOSOPHY AND
ESOTERIC CHRISTIANITY
This volume explores the insight modern theosophy can offer into the hidden significance of Christianity. Isis Resende is a life-long theosophist, international speaker and President of the Inter-American Theosophical Federation. Richard Heber Newton was a prominent American Episcopalian priest and writer. Franz Hartmann was a German medical doctor, author and founder of the German Theosophical Society in 1896.

First Edition | Original Hardback
Publication date: 16 August 2019
ISBN 978-1912622092
RRP £12.99
Paperback ISBN 978-1912622108
RRP £5.99
127 x 203mm | 92 pages

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THEOSOPHY AND YOGA
This volume explores the ways in which both theosophy and yoga base spiritual progress on the deepest possible understanding of the nature of life - that it exists as a single unity.

Jenny Baker is the President of the Theosophical Society in England and a yoga therapist.

Annie Besant was International President of the Theosophical Society from 1907 until her death in 1933. The Nature of Yoga, reproduced in this volume, was one of four lectures on the topic). Her essay Theosophy and the Search for Happiness (1918) is also available in the Modern Theosophy series.

First Edition | Original Hardback
Publication date 16 October 2019
ISBN 978-1912622146
RRP £14.99
Paperback ISBN 978-1912622153
RRP £5.99
127 x 203mm | 102 pages

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THEOSOPHY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
This volume explores the insight modern theosophy can offer into social activism and the struggle for greater social justice. Dr. Barbara B. Hebert is the President of the Theosophical Society in America.

William Quan Judge was an Irish-American mystic and esotericist and one of the original founders, with Madame Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott, of the Theosophical Society.

Annie Besant was the second International President of the Theosophical Society. She was a major figure in the fields of women's equality and the rights of workers.

First Edition | Original Hardback
Publication date: 31 October 2019
ISBN 978-1912622160
RRP £12.99
Paperback ISBN 978-1912622177
RRP £5.99
127 x 203mm | 90 pages

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THE PURPOSE OF THEOSOPHY
This volume explores the origins of the theosophical movement and its continuing relevance in the modern world.

Petra Meyer is President of Blavatsky Lodge in England. She lectures regularly on on subjects ranging from reincarnation to eastern mysticism to modern scientific inquiry.

Patience Sinnett was an English theosophist and friend of H. P. Blavatsky in the earliest days of the Theosophical Society in India. She wrote two pamphlets entitled The Purpose of Theosophy described by founding theosophist Henry Steel Olcott as 'an introductory manual for beginners'.

First Edition | Original Hardback
Publication date: 31 January 2020
ISBN 978-1912622221
RRP £12.99
Paperback ISBN 978-1912622238
RRP £6.99
127 x 97 x 203 mm | 132 pages

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THEOSOPHY AND THE CONSCIOUS MIND
This volume explores the nature of consciousness through the theosophical principles of atma, buddhi and manas.

Pablo Sender was born in Argentina in 1975. A doctor of biosciences, he was drawn to theosophy because he felt, 'it presented a far wider scope of knowledge' than studying science alone.

H.P. Blavatsky was a Russian occultist and author, co-founder of the Theosophical Society in New York City with Henry Steel Olcott and William Quan Judge.

First Edition | Original Hardback
Publication date 20 April 2020
ISBN 978-1912622245
RRP £12.99
Paperback ISBN 978-1912622252
RRP £6.99
127 x 64 x 203 mm | 90 pages

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APPLIED THEOSOPHY
This volume explores the ways in which theosophy can be practically applied in modern life.

Anne Kelly has been an on-air radio and television presenter for 30 years. She hosts the Living Theosophy YouTube channel, sharing theosophy around the world.

George Arundale was elected General Secretary of the Theosophical Society in Australia in 1926, and became International President of the Society in 1933.

First Edition | Original Hardback
Publication date: 24 September 2021
ISBN 978-1912622344
RRP £12.99
Paperback ISBN 978-1912622351
RRP £6.99
127 x 203mm | 92 pages

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modern thought
PROTECTION FOR WOMEN
The 1589 Feminist Text in Modern English.>

Jane Anger is credited with being the first feminist writer in the English language. Her pamphlet Protection for Women provides insight into the relationship between the sexes, regarded, for the first time, solely from a woman's perspective.

This volume presents the first translation of Anger's pamphlet into modern English together with exhaustive explanatory notes.

This edition also includes Jane Anger's original text for anyone interested in experiencing the unique 'music' of the 16th-century English.

First Edition | Original paperback
Published 31 October 2019
978-1912622191
RRP £10.99
127 x 203mm | 106 pages

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LET THE LONDON SEWERS OVERFLOW
An alternative edition of 'Protection For Women' by Jane Anger, rendered into accessible modern English.

This volume also includes an introduction by the public artist Martin Firrell, and the original 16th Century Text.

First Edition | Original paperback
Publication date: 1 November 2019
ISBN 978-1912622207
RRP £10.99
127 x 178mm | 100 pages

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THE WORLD IS DIVIDED BY
A GENDER WAR
With an Afterword by Peter Tatchell.
In a Gender Think-In at the iconic Lloyd's building in London, 200 senior leaders in business, culture and policy gathered to consider the future of gender.

Participants were invited to imagine a 'gender tender' future where gender identity is never assigned by society but is only ever determined by each individual in their own way and in their own time.

This pamphlet documents the findings and ramifications of that thought experiment.

'Provocative and timely' - Peter Tatchell

First Edition | Original pamphlet
Published 4 April 2018
ISBN 978-0993178658
RRP £7.99
127 x 203mm | 66 pages

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artist's essays
THE UNCONSTRUCTIBLE MACHINE
The fifteen texts in this short volume were written by public artist Martin Firrell more than 20 years ago.

They are investigations into the nature of language and its relationship with experience.

They outline an approach to language which has formed the basis of the artist's subsequent work in public space - 'art as debate' calling for greater equality and social justice.

First Edition | Original paperback
Published 8 October 2017
ISBN 978-0993178689
RRP £8.99
129 x 198mm | 102 pages

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Power and Gender series (uniform edition)
UGLY SWEATY MEN
A transcript of conversations between Inga Beale, CEO Lloyd's of London (2014-2019) and public artist Martin Firrell.

In conversation, Beale and Firrell reflect on the different ways women and men are judged, the relationship between gender and power, and the continuing challenge of inequality in the work place.

Firrell contrasts the contemporary views of Inga Beale with the writing of Olympe de Gouges, the French women's rights activist who demanded equality for women during the French revolution.

First Edition | Original pamphlet
Publication date: 14 August 2019
ISBN 978-1912622122
RRP £6.99
127 x 178mm | 94 pages

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WHEN MEN HOLD POWER
THEY ABUSE IT
A transcript of conversations between Annie Rickard, former Global President of international media buying network Posterscope Worldwide, and public artist Martin Firrell.

In conversation, Rickard and Firrell reflect on male entitlement, the connection between sex and corruption, and the different ways women and men regard, hold and use power.

Firrell contrasts the contemporary views of Annie Rickard on fraud, sex and sexual abuse with the ideas of Jane Anger in her classic feminist pamphlet of 1589, 'Jane Anger, Her Protection For Women'.

First Edition | Original paperback
Publication date: 30 September 2019
ISBN 978-1912622139
RRP £6.99
127 x 178mm | 130 pages

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SOCIALISM IS A MORAL IDEA
A transcript of conversations between British Labour politician and Secretary of State for International Development (1997-2003) Clare Short and public artist Martin Firrell.

In conversation, Short and Firrell reflect on the different ways women and men regard power, the dangers of radicalism and violence, and what might constitute more equitable social and economic organisation.

Firrell contrasts the contemporary views of Clare Short with the ideas of militant figures from the history of the women's movement including Annie Kenney, Pleasance Pendred, Constance Lytton and Emily Davison.

First Edition | Original pamphlet
Publication date: 1 July 2019
ISBN 978-1912622078
RRP £6.99
127 x 178mm | 146 pages

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THE SIMPLE IDEA
A transcript of conversations between Alex Mahon, CEO Channel 4, and public artist Martin Firrell.

In conversation, Mahon and Firrell reflect on the different ways women and men regard and use power, the persistence of inequality and the risks of assuming that, simply because some women become CEOs, opportunity is available to all women.

Firrell contrasts the contemporary views of Alex Mahon with the writing of Victorian women's rights activist Bessie Rayner Parkes on women and work.

First Edition | Original pamphlet
Publication date: 1 August 2019
ISBN 978-1912622115
RRP £6.99
127 x 178mm | 92 pages

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50% OF THE TIME RIGHT PERSON
FOR THE JOB MUST BE A WOMAN
A transcript of conversations between Liv Garfield, CEO of water company Severn Trent, and public artist Martin Firrell.

In conversation, Garfield and Firrell reflect on the different ways women and men regard, hold and use power, and consider the idea, which still persists, that women are temperamentally unsuited to big business.

Firrell contrasts the contemporary views of Liv Garfield with the writing of the 20th-century social reformer Annie Besant who refutes the idea that women are inferior to men and demands proper parliamentary representation for all women.

First Edition | Original pamphlet
Publication date: 30 September 2019
ISBN 978-1912622184
RRP £6.99
127 x 46 x 178 mm | 90 pages

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