The Branford Boase Award 2019

The Branford Boase Award - The short list for the Branford Boase Award 2019 has been announced. The Award is made annually to the most promising book for seven year-olds and upwards by a first time novelist. Importantly, it also recognises the work of the editors also. Links to the seven novels nominated can be found on the website. They also include a Q&A interview with each debut author and editor which I found particularly insightful and interesting to read covering topics such as the relationship between writer and editor, the editorial process and where the writer gets inspiration for their book ideas plus plenty of tips and advice thrown in. The seven novels short listed cover a range of genres from historical fiction to fantasy adventure and all seven are definitely now on my reading list. One piece of advice that stood out for me when talking about fantasy adventure was to 'know your world inside out' as it relates to some ideas I'm working on at the moment. The website also has a link to Q&A interviews for those shortlisted for the 2018 award. The winner will be announced on the 27th June and I wish everyone the best of luck. Now I'm off to create my world....

The Caterpillar Story Prize 2019

The Caterpillar Story Prize 2019 is now open! Details are available via the link. Kelly McCaughrain, author of Flying Tips for Flightless Birds, is the judge. Closing date is 30th September 2019 (that's only 106 days away...)

Back at the desk - update

It's been far too long since I posted anything. Life took over after Home was launched in November, and with the best of intentions I didn't make it back this far in the interim. Here's a wee update on my writing life since then. 

Before Christmas I was welcomed by David to Eason in Letterkenny Shopping Centre where I signed copies of the book for busy Christmas shoppers. 

Home and I traveled to Charlie Byrne's Bookshop in Galway in February to participate in the Over The Edge Showcase of western writers, who formerly read at OTE, who launched a book in 2018. I was thrilled to be included and to read Home and The Year We Ate the Summer from the book. Home is now on the shelves at Charlie Byrne's. John and I went back in to town the next day and it struck me how far I've come since I was an undergraduate in Galway in the early 90s. I took this pic to remind myself, it's now my proud Facebook cover photo. 

Home on the shelves at Charlie Byrne's Bookshop

Also in February, Garden Room Writers and Errigal Writers met for an artists' date at the museum in Letterkenny and luch in Cafe Davitt, I wrote my first decent poem of 2019, in response to a powerful Holocaust photo exhibition  at the museum. I'll hold off on sharing it yet as I am likely to submit it for consideration when I find a suitable journal. 

Through March and April, along with Garden Room fellows Nick, Ann and Deirdre, I  took part in a poetry pool facilitated by ever energetic Denise Blake. For nine weeks seventeen of us responded to two weekly prompts sent out in turn by the other poolers. There was amazing writing and that support from shared practice that I will never tire of. My poem Takiwatanga written in the poetry pool, was published on Poetry24 to mark World Autism Day. You can read it here

Next week I'm off to another of my favourite bookshops, the  Reading Room in Carrick on Shannon where Orlagh Kelly has kindly invited me to read from Home and speak about the book and my writing. I am thrilled that this is happening, I feel very lucky. We've made many visits to Orlagh's beautiful shop over the years while visiting my sister in Leitrim. No doubt, we'll leave with an armful of books for everyone in the house.

I'm meant to be taking part in NaPoWriMo, with some fab writers who I participated with past year but to date while I've checked in most days, it's been more of a NoPoWri experience! There is still time to catch up, I tell myself. 

Home is available in Mulroy Bay Music in Milford, An Bonnan Buí restaurant in Rathmullan,  Eason in Letterkenny Shopping Centre, Charlie Byrne's Bookshop in Galway and of course online from Limerick Writers' Centre.