Last Tuesday I spent the day in Milford National School in Castletroy.
I did readings for 5th and 6th classes and we discussed where ideas came from and writing in general. Both sessions were followed by an excellent Q&A session with lots of good questions.
In the afternoon, I spoke with the school's book club who were reading The Third Pig and I Am David.
To round off the day, I visited 3rd Class where we spoke about book covers, and how they were designed. I tried to convince them that Chelsea were the best Premiership team and why everyone should support them. I don't think they bought it though!!
Overall it was an excellent visit and the school looked after me superbly and kept me filled with coffee. Thanks to Siobhan Fenton for organising the day and Colm Ryan who did an awesome job as my minder (bouncer, security etc.)
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
The Good News for Modern Man/Woman
Various writing friends/acquaintances/colleagues (delete as appropriate) have been receiving some good news over the past few weeks and, being the good-natured soul that I am, I thought I'd share it with you.
Declan (no relation) Burke, he of the excellent Crime Always Pays blog, has just been given a deal for his latest book, currently titled The Baby Killers.
'So what?' I hear you say.
Well, not only is Dec a might fine writer (check out 'The Big O' if you don't believe me) but he has decided that any profits from the new book will be donated to charity - more than likely the children's wing of a local hospital. A mighty fine proposal, yes?
Congrats to Dec on both the deal and his altruism - and of course you'll all go out and buy it when it comes out, won't you?
I've banged on in the past about the online critique site YouWriteOn, where The Third Pig received its first serious critical airings. Eventually it was placed third in the 2007 Children's Book of the Year competition on the site.
Yet another 'so what?', I hear you say.
The winner of the competition that year, Justine Windsor, has just landed herself an agent so great things will happen. Watch out for her.
Congrats Justine, it was only a matter of time.
Vanessa O'Loughlin of Inkwell Writers' Workshops has just launched writing.ie, an online resource for Irish writers. It's chock-full of articles, interviews, news, links, events, blogs and more information than you could comfortably shake a stick at. If you're starting out in the writing game, it's well worth a look - and, if you're not, it's still well worth a look!!
Finally, another YWO winner that I've parped on about before, Guy Saville, has finally seen his first novel The Afrika Reich, hit the bookshelves - and it's picking up boffo reviews. My own copy is being clutched in my grubby little fist as I speak (actually it's not, it's difficult to type and hold a book at the same time, but you know what I mean) and I'll post a review as soon as I'm done with it.
So then, much good news to report.
Declan (no relation) Burke, he of the excellent Crime Always Pays blog, has just been given a deal for his latest book, currently titled The Baby Killers.
'So what?' I hear you say.
Well, not only is Dec a might fine writer (check out 'The Big O' if you don't believe me) but he has decided that any profits from the new book will be donated to charity - more than likely the children's wing of a local hospital. A mighty fine proposal, yes?
Congrats to Dec on both the deal and his altruism - and of course you'll all go out and buy it when it comes out, won't you?
I've banged on in the past about the online critique site YouWriteOn, where The Third Pig received its first serious critical airings. Eventually it was placed third in the 2007 Children's Book of the Year competition on the site.
Yet another 'so what?', I hear you say.
The winner of the competition that year, Justine Windsor, has just landed herself an agent so great things will happen. Watch out for her.
Congrats Justine, it was only a matter of time.
Vanessa O'Loughlin of Inkwell Writers' Workshops has just launched writing.ie, an online resource for Irish writers. It's chock-full of articles, interviews, news, links, events, blogs and more information than you could comfortably shake a stick at. If you're starting out in the writing game, it's well worth a look - and, if you're not, it's still well worth a look!!
Finally, another YWO winner that I've parped on about before, Guy Saville, has finally seen his first novel The Afrika Reich, hit the bookshelves - and it's picking up boffo reviews. My own copy is being clutched in my grubby little fist as I speak (actually it's not, it's difficult to type and hold a book at the same time, but you know what I mean) and I'll post a review as soon as I'm done with it.
So then, much good news to report.
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Aaaand he's back
Wow, what a busy few months it's been. IT work sort of took over for a while, Christmas came in the middle and writing was relegated to the back seat until things settled down (as was blogging).
So, what's been happening?
The Ho Ho Ho Mystery was finally published on 28th October and I'm led to believe that sales have been good...which is nice. The week of publication Hughes & Hughes in my home town of Ennis asked me to do a signing, which went off pretty well. Credit to them for putting a bit of imagination into the event and setting up the desk like that of a PI (including a trilby, some crime scene tape and a themed mug). They also managed to lay their hands on pig-shaped sweets (don't ask me how) which the kids loved but most adults seemed to be less enthused by!
As part of Children's Book Month I did a series of library visits in both Limerick and Clare. Again, I was back in Ennis and was delighted that the visiting group was from my old school (now co-ed and requiring a uniform!). All visits, in a variety of different types of library, were a blast and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves - or did a very good job of pretending they did anyway. Kudos to the staff at each event who looked after me, made sure I had lots of coffee and water and were an all round pleasure to deal with.
As part of a Book Club visit in the Granary Library in Limerick last month I previewed a chapter of The Curds and Whey Mystery and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive - which did my ego no harm at all.
Now I'm back to writing again. The first round of edits for The Curds and Whey Mystery have come in from the publisher so I'm working on those at the moment. I'm also starting work on an urban horror story that people seem to think has potential so that'll be interesting.
Hopefully I'll be able to blog a bit more regularly too.
Oh and Chelsea signed Fernando Torres, which is nice.
So, what's been happening?
The Ho Ho Ho Mystery was finally published on 28th October and I'm led to believe that sales have been good...which is nice. The week of publication Hughes & Hughes in my home town of Ennis asked me to do a signing, which went off pretty well. Credit to them for putting a bit of imagination into the event and setting up the desk like that of a PI (including a trilby, some crime scene tape and a themed mug). They also managed to lay their hands on pig-shaped sweets (don't ask me how) which the kids loved but most adults seemed to be less enthused by!
As part of Children's Book Month I did a series of library visits in both Limerick and Clare. Again, I was back in Ennis and was delighted that the visiting group was from my old school (now co-ed and requiring a uniform!). All visits, in a variety of different types of library, were a blast and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves - or did a very good job of pretending they did anyway. Kudos to the staff at each event who looked after me, made sure I had lots of coffee and water and were an all round pleasure to deal with.
As part of a Book Club visit in the Granary Library in Limerick last month I previewed a chapter of The Curds and Whey Mystery and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive - which did my ego no harm at all.
Now I'm back to writing again. The first round of edits for The Curds and Whey Mystery have come in from the publisher so I'm working on those at the moment. I'm also starting work on an urban horror story that people seem to think has potential so that'll be interesting.
Hopefully I'll be able to blog a bit more regularly too.
Oh and Chelsea signed Fernando Torres, which is nice.
Monday, 29 November 2010
Nice People Saying Nice Things
Still up to my tonsils in (non-writing) work but The Third Pig received a great review on the excellent Page Turners website so I thought I'd post the link here
It was a nice start to the weekend.
It was a nice start to the weekend.
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
The Reading Pile
The current reading pile is growing ever bigger at the moment, due mainly to work commitments...
but they'll all have to take a back seat now as this arrived yesterday
I don't read much fantasy but I'll always make an exception for Donaldson.
but they'll all have to take a back seat now as this arrived yesterday
I don't read much fantasy but I'll always make an exception for Donaldson.
Monday, 25 October 2010
The Ego Has Landed
Well, this promises to be an exciting week. The Ho Ho Ho Mystery is officially published this Thursday 28th October although copies may start trickling into bookstores earlier in the week so keep an eye out.
After the book's release, I'll be doing a signing in Hughes & Hughes bookshop in Ennis on the following Saturday 30th October at 2:00 (that's afternoon not morning - just in case).
If you're around, do drop in and say hello. Hopefully there will be a decent turnout and I won't feel all lonely and self-conscious sitting there on my own!!!! And if you get bored, there's a Costa Coffee adjoining so you can scarper off if you feel the need (I'll probably be there getting my required caffeine intake beforehand anyway)
The library visits in Limerick and Clare were a blast and I had a great time. I'll do a proper write-up once I get a chance.
After the book's release, I'll be doing a signing in Hughes & Hughes bookshop in Ennis on the following Saturday 30th October at 2:00 (that's afternoon not morning - just in case).
If you're around, do drop in and say hello. Hopefully there will be a decent turnout and I won't feel all lonely and self-conscious sitting there on my own!!!! And if you get bored, there's a Costa Coffee adjoining so you can scarper off if you feel the need (I'll probably be there getting my required caffeine intake beforehand anyway)
The library visits in Limerick and Clare were a blast and I had a great time. I'll do a proper write-up once I get a chance.
Monday, 11 October 2010
Hot Off the Presses
And when I got home today, I found these waiting for me. Woot! And perfect timing for the first of my library visits tomorrow.
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Coming Soon to a Library Near You
The 20th annual Children's Books Festival kicked off on Friday 1st October with 70+ authors, illustrators, storytellers and performers due to visit libraries, schools and arts centers across Ireland throughout the month.
As part of the festival I'll be visiting libraries in Limerick and Clare. The dates and venues are:
Tuesday 12th October
9:30am Watch House Cross Library, Moyross
11:30am Roxboro Library
1:30pm City Library, The Granary
Three visits in the same day promises to make things a bit hectic but I'm looking forward to it already.
The following week I'll be in Clare:
Monday 18th October
11:00am deValera Library, Ennis
1:15pm Sean Lemass Library, Shannon
Tuesday 19th October
11:00am Sixmilebridge Library
1:30pm Newmarket on Fergus Library
The Ennis visit will be special for me as it's my home town and I remember when the custom-built library itself opened in the mid-70's. It incorporated an old church into the build and was a huge improvement on the old house that served as the library previously.
Hopefully the turnout will be good and if anyone is in the vicinity, drop in and say hi.
As part of the festival I'll be visiting libraries in Limerick and Clare. The dates and venues are:
Tuesday 12th October
9:30am Watch House Cross Library, Moyross
11:30am Roxboro Library
1:30pm City Library, The Granary
Three visits in the same day promises to make things a bit hectic but I'm looking forward to it already.
The following week I'll be in Clare:
Monday 18th October
11:00am deValera Library, Ennis
1:15pm Sean Lemass Library, Shannon
Tuesday 19th October
11:00am Sixmilebridge Library
1:30pm Newmarket on Fergus Library
The Ennis visit will be special for me as it's my home town and I remember when the custom-built library itself opened in the mid-70's. It incorporated an old church into the build and was a huge improvement on the old house that served as the library previously.
Hopefully the turnout will be good and if anyone is in the vicinity, drop in and say hi.
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Monday, 4 October 2010
Harry in the Press
I recently did an article for Words With Jam - an online writing magazine. I touched on how Harry came to be, how useful I found online critique sites and some other bits and pieces that I hoped the readers might find interesting. The magazine and article can be found here but there was such a handsome fellow on the cover I thought I'd include it below...
I was also quoted in an article by Helen Gaynor in today's Irish Independent about the Childrens' Book Festival in October and how modern writers try to connect with younger readers.
As part of the same Festival I'll be visiting libraries in Clare and Limerick during October and I'll post details of times and venues tomorrow along with (drumroll please, maestro) the first public airing of the cover for The Ho Ho Ho Mystery.
Try to contain your excitement.
I was also quoted in an article by Helen Gaynor in today's Irish Independent about the Childrens' Book Festival in October and how modern writers try to connect with younger readers.
As part of the same Festival I'll be visiting libraries in Clare and Limerick during October and I'll post details of times and venues tomorrow along with (drumroll please, maestro) the first public airing of the cover for The Ho Ho Ho Mystery.
Try to contain your excitement.
Thursday, 30 September 2010
I'm Psychic, Me
Way, way back in the dim distant days of 2008 when this blog was a mere infant, I blogged about The Africa Reich by Guy Saville and said that it was going to be mega.
Now adopting an 'I told you so' tone of voice, I can reveal that Guy got a two book deal with Hodder and Stoughton and The Africa Reich, complete with spanking new cover (draft below), will be published in 2011. Now the lucky sod is off to Madagascar to do some research for Book 2. Research, hah! A likely story.
For my next trick, I'll tell you next week's lottery numbers, who really shot JFK, and what you'll get from Santa.
Now adopting an 'I told you so' tone of voice, I can reveal that Guy got a two book deal with Hodder and Stoughton and The Africa Reich, complete with spanking new cover (draft below), will be published in 2011. Now the lucky sod is off to Madagascar to do some research for Book 2. Research, hah! A likely story.
For my next trick, I'll tell you next week's lottery numbers, who really shot JFK, and what you'll get from Santa.
Friday, 24 September 2010
Some Friday Music
And yes, I keep promising to update but so much is happening I'm falling way behind the curve in all things writing. All will change but in the meantime here's a superb piece of music to keep you going.
I'm no Eagles fan but I think this is a really evocative piece and so unlike most anything else they've ever done
and yes, I'm also aware of the somewhat brilliant, cheap and cheerful version the BBC Radiophonics Workshop did for the TV adaptation of Hitchhikers all those years ago...so here's that too (and a bit more of the TV series for good measure).
I'm no Eagles fan but I think this is a really evocative piece and so unlike most anything else they've ever done
and yes, I'm also aware of the somewhat brilliant, cheap and cheerful version the BBC Radiophonics Workshop did for the TV adaptation of Hitchhikers all those years ago...so here's that too (and a bit more of the TV series for good measure).
Friday, 30 July 2010
And Now After A Brief Delay
The sharper-eyed among you will probably have noticed that the promised reviews have been less than forthcoming. In my defence, I ended up having to dump some 20k words of the third Harry Pigg book when I realised it wasn't working. This was a big step and one not made without much furrowing of brow and hovering of finger over the delete key.
As I result I've spent most of the past 6 weeks rewriting Harry 3 and am glad to report that I finally finished it last night and am currently trawling through it for typos, plot inconsistencies and other bits and pieces before sending it off to my publisher.
Whew!
Normal service will resume as soon as I come up for air...
As I result I've spent most of the past 6 weeks rewriting Harry 3 and am glad to report that I finally finished it last night and am currently trawling through it for typos, plot inconsistencies and other bits and pieces before sending it off to my publisher.
Whew!
Normal service will resume as soon as I come up for air...
Thursday, 17 June 2010
The Shape of Things to Come
I've been a bit remiss with reviews of late - primarily due to other stuff happening. This must be rectified so over the next few days I'll be posting what I thought of some of the many books I've read lately, including Changeling 3, Leviathan, Fever Crumb, From Hell and whatever else comes to mind. Don't go away now.
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