I write to make sense of pain, to laugh at despair, and to offer a path to healing
After facing childhood tragedy, mental health challenges, and time in a Young Offenders Institution, he rebuilt his life through education, creativity, and writing. His books, including Confessions of an Emotional Shipwreck and Blind Justice, draw from his own journey—mixing humor, emotion, and honesty. Now living in Plymouth, he leads writing groups, supports local theatre, and continues to write stories that inspire and connect with readers.
James Bridgwater
James Bridgwater’s journey to writing has been unconventional. Initially a science student, he later earned a degree in English Literature, Theology, and Philosophy. Now a trustee at Plymouth Proprietary Library, he leads writing groups and contributes to the Script-in-Hand Theatre Group.
An accomplish fiction writer, whose short story grew into Masterstroke. His novel Blind Justice won the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award in 2022, and he is developing a trilogy. His experiences with epilepsy, neurodiversity, and a psychiatric breakdown at 18—leading to hospitalization and time in a Young Offenders Institution—deeply influence his work, including Confessions of an Emotional Shipwreck.
Grateful for NHS support, he now manages epilepsy with minimal medication, aided by green tea and a natural diet. A Society of Authors member, he engages in their disability-focused Zoom group, continuing to write stories that inspire.
Robinson Bay by The Robinson Bay Band
The band was formed during the Art of Living Creatively project run by Apex Arts in collaboration with Plymouth Mind and funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation 2016-17. This original song, along with five others, was written by participants and artists working together creating a collective community spirit.
Book Collection
Blind Justice
Mark Wilson suffered such abuse and trauma as a child he was psychologically damaged and developed problems including split personalities and psychosomatic blindness. Now he has a guide dog called Willow and a dark secret. Blind Justice is a transvestite vigilante seeking revenge on the world of pedophiles and that of corrupt celebrities and bankers. He uses help from his one remaining friend from childhood; Rocket Queen, now working as a drag act in New York. He gains in confidence, yet is pursued by his nemesis the Detective Inspector Tracy Hansard. Immorality in competition with sanity.
Masterstroke
Can Jake a homeless alcoholic Cornishman and Denzil a rich art dealer in a fashionable London apartment be living in more separated worlds? However they are connected by dark events in the past and now they are linked by Evelyn who could be the next big event in modern art. She is caught between being a successful artist in a world of cold heartless dealers who thrive on money and a life of love in the beautiful countryside. Ambition versus adoration. She receives help and advice from Shelley who knows them both but looks at the world from a very alternative point of view. When Denzil who uses drugs and women thinks he is losing Eve to Jake he is possessed by a malevolent urge to take revenge.
Reader's Review
Confessions Of An Emotional Shipwreck
Confessions of an Emotional Shipwreck provides us with an incredibly personal and touching account of James Bridgwater’s life, from a shocking childhood tragedy to humorous accounts of his time at boarding school and on throughout his adult life. We follow him as he grows up and provides a commentary on a huge variety of social issues – from education, to mental health, to the justice system – using his own experiences to give an insight into how it was to grow up in the 1980s. Whether you’ve had similar experiences in your life, or are just interested in learning more about mental health and how it’s dealt with in our society, this book will give you what you want. We learn about James’ lifelong struggle with mental disorders, how they affected his personal and professional life and how he ultimately learns to deal with them.
Reader's Review
Inspirational Interview
Other online bookstore
You can also purchase the books from these other online bookstore outlets.
