Meet the Author
Colin Stern
Colin Stern is a born storyteller. Growing up in Wiltshire, he found early on a natural talent for writing. This was nurtured while at school, where he received critical feedback from such literary icons as Siegfried Sassoon, John Betjeman and Louis MacNiece.
After studying medicine at Cambridge University, he became an immunologist and paediatrician, spending the majority of his career at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital (GSTT ) in central London, where he rose to be Clinical Director of Paediatrics. After retiring in 2006., he travelled the world with his wife Ann and enjoyed spending time with his young grandchildren, where he would delight them with fairy stories of his own making.
While writing had always been a passion, it was not until his wife’s passing in 2020 that he was spurred on to become an author. For the last few years of Ann’s life, Colin had devoted himself to nursing her as she battled with dementia. Her death, while expected, hit Colin very hard and he turned to poetry to help him process his immense grief. This collection would become his first book, A Catafalque for Ann, which was published through Brown Dog Books the following year. Since then, he has published a further three books, comprising acclaimed memoir Listening to Mother, a collection of his most interesting and unusual medical cases; illustrated children’s story Never-my-Name and Isn’t-my-Name; and Sailor-y-Pent, a narrative poem that describes the “sad, strange, silly and often slightly sinful” inhabitants of a small Welsh seaside town in the 1960s.
He has many new books in the pipeline, including a collection of children’s poem, A Children’s Charivari; a fantasy adventure for children, The Rainbow Mace; and a book of verse about imaginary birds, The Disappearing Dodo and other Obscure Avians.
The Colin Stern Blog
Stern Words
Join Colin as he shares insights from his own writing journey and offers valuable tips and advice for aspiring authors. Whether you're seeking inspiration, guidance, or simply a glimpse behind the scenes, Stern Words has something for everyone.
Latest Media News
Colin Stern in the Press
Colin Stern’s work frequently appears in the British media, a sample of which can be found below. If you’re a blogger or journalist and would like to interview Colin, or if you would like to book him for a speaking engagement, please visit the Contact Page.
“This fascinating collection of anecdotes from a distinguished paediatric doctor’s casebook entertains as much as it informs." NOO
"Colin Stern’s lively and entertaining books should be on repeat prescription for readers young and old." NOO
"Colin Stern has the unique ability to craft stories and poems that resonate with readers of all ages." NOO
"Never-my-Name and Isn’t-my-Name by Colin Stern offers something truly special." FF
"Stern weaves intricate narratives that are both thought-provoking and deeply moving." TLE
Read Listening to Mother Online
Free Excerpt, Below
Get a sneak peek into Colin Stern's latest book with this free excerpt. Listening to Mother is ``exceptional``, says The London Economic, and ``a gripping read``, according to the BBC.
Start reading now and see what everyone's talking about.
Billy
Read the story of ‘Billy’, just one of the children author Colin Stern treated while working as a paediatrician.
Billy was a busy boy of eight. He came rushing into the clinic, followed by his parents, who seemed slightly embarrassed by his exuberance. Whatever the problem might be, it hadn’t affected his personality.
Mr and Mrs Salmon sat down. Roger Salmon wore a business suit. He worked in a bank. His pretty wife Valerie was worried, but had the strength of character not to show it.
‘How can I help?’ I asked. Of course, I knew what the problem was from the GP referral letter. Billy’s right eye had developed a recent squint and also seemed to be slightly out of position.
‘It all happened over the last week or two,’ Mrs Salmon said. ‘I noticed it when he came down to breakfast last Thursday week. I asked if he was all right and Billy said he was fine. Then over the next few days it didn’t get any better. In fact, I think it’s a bit worse, although it doesn’t seem to have affected him at all.’ Billy was busy kicking a small football again a clinic wall. ‘Billy, stop that!’ she said.
‘It’s all right,’ I said. ‘There are very few limits in here!’
I went through the history, but there was nothing else of importance. I called Billy over to be examined. The abnormality of his eye was clear.
His right eye was bulging outward slightly in comparison with his left. The pupil of the right was deviated a little downwards and to the right, causing a squint. Professionally, we would say that he had right-sided mild exophthalmos with external strabismus. With such a short history in a child of this age, who was otherwise in very good health, there was one likely diagnosis. A rhabdomyosarcoma of one of the muscles of the eye. This is a cancer, but, in this position, one with a good prognosis, provided one acts quickly. It was important to let Mr and Mrs Salmon know as gently as possibly.
SHOP ONLINE
Buy Colin Stern's Books Today
Explore Colin Stern's books. Click the button below to purchase on Amazon.
