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NB: Change to September's newsletter
PEN's Program for November should read : 'Getting Published'.with speakers Paula Campbell of Poolbeg, literary agent, Faith O'Grady and Karen Gillece, author 'Seven Nights in Zaragoza'.
See below for booking and all other details.
Hi All!
And welcome to your September newsletter.
News
-The Forum, or Message board har amazingly reached and passed the 10 000 messages mark, and every day more and more people leave messages or just visit to read the gossip.
-I've also started a more general Book Bews Blog, the writeon-Booknews blog on http://writeon-booknews.blogspot.com/ for more general news that I pick up around the internet and think you might be interested in. Some of it's informative, some of it's quirky and some of it's just plain daft, but have a look and feel free to add comments!
-Tracy Culleton took part in out most recent on-line interview- were you there on the night? If not you can still read the interview HERE
Judi Curtin is up next, this Tuesday, the 27th of September, at 8pm.
Anita Notaro and Suzanne O'Leary have also promised to do an interview in the near future, I just have to chase them for dates and track down some more authors for you. Watch this space, and check the website regularly or you might miss them.
-Congratulations to Byrne's Bookshops on two counts-
-In Early September they ran an event in Tullamore in association with Author of 'The Grace Girls' Geraldine O'Neill and author Lynn Andrews. Held in the Bridge Hotel in Tullamore to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research. They were the main sponsors of the event and it was hugely successful. They sold 60 books and raised €600 for the charity, having donated 100% of their takings to the event. Particular mention four of their staff: John Cooke, Shane Murray, Martina McDermot and Yvonne Barton who kindly worked for the evening without pay.
The store in Tullamore is Byrne's World of Wonder, Tullamore Retail Park.
-Byrnes also opened their newest store in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. This new store is the largest book and toy store in the country and has an O'Briens Coffee Shop on the ground floor which is a great link with the book department and is encouraging longer browsing periods!
They will be running lots of signing events in this store in particular in the run up to Christmas and would love to hear from any authors interested in coming down to Dungarvan or indeed to any other of their stores.
Irish PEN have recently launched a new website: www.irishpen.com
And from Irish Pen, a few dates for your diary:
-Thusday 13th October: 'The Short Story' with Anne Enright and Ena May
-Thusday 10th November An Evening of Plays
Irish Pen events take place in the United Arts club at 3 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2. Booking essential. See their website www.irishpen.com
Note: September's cancelled event on getting published will be rescheduled- check out their website for details
COMPETITION
To win an early copy of Kate Thompson's Sex Lies & Fairytales (due out in November) check out the September newsletter on her excellent website: www.kate-thompson.com
New Books to look out for around now or soon - include Tracy Culleton's 'More than Friends' (doing really well in the charts- well done Tracy!), Judi Curtin's children's book 'Alice Next Door', Anita Notaro's 'THE WWW CLUB', and Kathy Rodgers 'It Started With a Wish'
For more on these and other new books: Check out our New Books Page
That's all for September. Happy reading!
Hi All!
And welcome to your June 2005 newsletter
I won't be sending a July newsletter (even web- aholics take breaks!), so you'll have to hang on util August for your next fix of information
News
-Book Launch- Mary Bond is launching her book Absolutely Love on Tues June 28th, at 6:30 in Hughes and Hughes in St Stephen's Green and would love to see you there.
-Marisa Mackle's new book Chinese Whispers will hit your shelves on June 24th -keep an eye out for it.
-In August Sarah Webb’s new book, ‘Take a Chance’ will be published. It has already been chosen as the Eason Irish Book of the Month and Sarah will be travelling around Ireland to promote the book. Details of the dates will be posted on her website - www.sarahwebb.info nearer the time.
To celebrate the launch, Sarah is having a competition to win one of 5 signed copies of ‘Take a Chance’. Simply email your name to sarah@sarahwebb.info to enter the draw.
-The Forum, was down for a days recently- but we're back on line again after an upgrade, and posting as busily as ever. There are some new features such as the 'quick response' box at the end of the page topics, and unfortunately some bugs which the good people over at pro-boards are still working on. One of the problems I gather is posting Avatars. Not sure why they work for some people and not for others, but I hope it's being worked on.
Tracy Culleton has started a very popular series of threads in the 'writing discussions' section - and that's still running- so why not join in?
-There will be another great Irish Girls’ event on October 1st. Book now and hope to see you there!
Books: the Great Escape
A Reader and Writers’ Day- Fingal Libraries in association with the Irish Girls
(full program and details on the bottom of this page)
Live Online Interviews.
As ever, a very popular slot on the site-
And the next interview is:
Colette Caddle 8pm on Tuesday 5th July- so hope loads of you will turn up to ask questions. Colette's new novel Changing Places is just out, so I'm sure you've loads of questions about that!
Website News- all sites linked on the author link page
-Mary Bond has a new website- launched to coincide with the launch of her book (see above). Pop in and pay her a visit at www.mary-bond.com
-There's a new link to Mary Arrigan's site on our home page.
-And Sheila O'Flanagan's site has had it's overhaul and it's back in it's new turbo-boosted form!
-Alison Norrington has updated her website to include a section 'Events' where you can find information on another 'Girls Night In' type event that she has been invited to attend at Ottakars Bookshop in Chelmsford Essex. This will be on the evening of 5th July and if you subscribe to Alison's newsletter on her website she will keep you updated with the latest news.
Also just a reminder that the deadline for her competition for a week for two in a fabulous hotel on the Lisbon coast, is 1st JULY!!! This competition has been running in conjunction with Alison's latest book Three of a Kind. Once again, if you keep an eye on her website, or subscribe to the newsletter she will let you know who the lucky winner is - if you don't already know!!! (IT COULD BE YOU!!)
-When did you last check out all our writers' links- there are loads of writers there waiting for you to visit them
As usual, we invite you to check out our New Releases page- what are you going to be reading on the beach or by the pool on holidays?
Books: the Great Escape
A Reader and Writers’ Day
Fingal Libraries in association with the Irish Girls
Saturday Oct 1st 2005
Great Southern Hotel, Dublin Airport
9.45 - 4.00
Booking essential - 01 - 8906237
10.00 Welcome - Sarah Webb
Sarah programmed the event.
10.00 - 10.45
Life and Nothing But: Writing Non-Fiction
The panel discuss their all time favourite non-fiction titles and discuss their own recent memoirs and non fiction books.
Martina Devlin
Rose Doyle
Catherine Dunne
Followed by favourite non-fiction books from the floor - your chance to share your personal favourites.
10.45 - 11.45
All the World’s a Stage - Acting and Writing
Tina Reilly
Clare Dowling
11.45 to 12.00 - Coffee and Bookshop
12.00 - 12.45
Introduced by
This Writer’s Life - Sheila O’Flanagan
12.45 - 1.45 - Lunch and Bookshop
1.45 - 2.45
Introduced by Jacinta McDevitt
A Life of their Own - creating authentic characters and the Character/Plot debate
Marita Conlon McKenna
Sarah Webb
Anita Notaro
Melissa Hill
2.45 - 3.00 coffee
3.00 - 4.00
An Insider’s View: Buyers, Booksellers and Editors tell the truth about the Irish fiction market
Followed by questions from the floor
What’s selling - the truth: Siobhan Tierney from Hughes and Hughes
What will sell next - the future of fiction and trends: Maria Dickenson, Buyer, Eason
What we are buying - an editor’s wish list: Alison Walsh, Editor, Gill and Macmillan
End
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Hi All!
And welcome to your May newsletter
News
The Forum, or Message board has really taken off. We're getting over 20 000 page views per month, mainly from our 121 members (who've left an amazing 3300 posts!), but also from anonymous 'guests' from all over the globe.
Tracey Culleton has started a very popular series of threads in the 'writing discussions' section - why not check it out and add your own views?
Short story writers alert!
Any one with a short story in mind, should tune in to Ireland AM on May 30th when Kate Thompson will give details of the Bibliofemme short story competition.
Tina Reilly fans will be delighted to hear that they don't have to wait for the next book to enjoy her talents as she tells us:
"Basically I've TWO plays premiering this month -
First off is an adult one -
Premier of play Is This Love (based on my book) and written and directed by me is being performed from May 17th-21st by An Nuadha players based here in Maynooth. The preformances co-incide with the Nissan Open in the town so it should be hopping! Tickets €10.00 (pay at the door except on first night when they cost €15)and directions can be obtained from me if anyone is interested in coming!
Secondly - another play is being preformed by my own drama kids in the school I run- this is a one night ONLY preformance and will be on in Amharclann Naithi in Dundrum on Sunday May 29th. The play, BEAUTY SLEEPING, is a mad cross between Shrek, The Wizard of Oz and Sleeping Beauty. It'll suit kids up to the sullen teens and all are welcome. Tickets to be booked in advance - €8.00."
(she can be contacted via the web!)"
And keeping to a dramatic theme,
Anne Marie O'Connor tells us :
"I am just completing a trial script for Shameless (Channel Four series - which wins lots of accolades and all that!!) and am working with the BBC on a new script called the Runaway Club about a young boy who sets up a website to contact people who have successfully run away in order to leave his life behind. Ultimately his new network gives him the strength to stay and we discover the stories of the people who have run away and why.
Also I have a Radio 4 Play in development - Out of Season. Based in Blackpool."
She is also involved in the Manchester Comedy festival with a play called Harry and the Lou Pollard Experience on in Manchester, 18th May at Manto on Canal Street.
Website News
Jacinta Mc Devitt has a stunning new website- why not pay her a visit?
Sheila O'Flanagan's newly re-launched site is almost ready, but you can still pop in and see her on the old one!
New releases
As usual, we invite you to check out our New Releases page- what are you going to be reading on the beach or by the pool on holidays?
Recommend a book Did you know that we are most influenced in what we read, not by advertising, cover, reviews or displays in bookshops, but by the recommendations of people we know? So if you really enjoy a book, or love the writing of a particular author- share the pleasure by telling your friends!!
-Or write a quick review of the book in the reviews section of the Forum. Then other members can tell you what they thought of your choice.
-Or why not forward this e-mail to someone you know who loves books? I'm sure they'll thank you for it!
As ever, a very popular slot on the site-
So, the schedule for the next few interviews is:
Wednesday May 18th, 8pm Jacinta Mc Devitt
Tuesday June 7th, 8pm Anne Marie O'Connor
If you want to sign up for our newsletter (because someone else forwarded it to you) then click the box at the top of the page.
To read previous editions of this newsletter click here
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Hi All!
And welcome to your April newsletter
News
Loads of news this month, so I'll get straight down to it.
In April, be sure to buy your copy of this historic charity aid book, in aid of GOAL's Tsunami appeal.
Published by Cle, the association of Irish Publishers, Moments is unique in that all the costs involved in its publication have been absorbed by the volunteers responsible. Everyone from writers to editors, publishers to distributors have given their time and resources free. Which means that when you buy Moments for €10 , GOAL receives the full €10. I think this is a first in the history of charity publications, so congratulations to all those involved.
(Have a look at the list of writers and you'll see you're in for a great read!)
Irish PEN
Irish PEN in Association with Dublin City Arts Office are having a panel discussion 'Poets Talking' about writing Poetry and the role of a poet in a modern contemporary Ireland with Anthony Cronin. Anne Haverty and John Sexton. They will each also read a bit from their own work. Thursday 14th April at 8.pm in The United Arts Club,
3 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2
On Thursday 12th May at 8pm Irish PEN in Association with the Dublin City Arts Office are delighted to host an evening with Jennifer Johnson. She will be talking about her life of writing and read from her new book at The United Arts Club, 3 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2. This event is open to all but booking is essential. Enquiries to irishpen@ireland.com
Girl's Night In at Byrne's Bookshop- Wexford
To celebrate the second year of the Wexford Book Festival, Byrne’s Wexford Bookshop will be hosting the ‘Girls Night In’ with bestselling Wexford author Alison Norrington, Sunday Independent Columnist & author Marisa Mackle and author Catherine Daly, on Saturday 16th April at 7pm.
Join us for a girly chat about books, writing and getting published, followed by a book signing. Admission is free and complimentary wine and refreshments will be served.
News From Aine Greaney
Who has been selected as the Autum '05 writer in residence at Chester College of New England, Chester, New Hampshire. While living on campus she will work on my personal essays, while meeting with writing students and delivering a public talk and reading on writing non-fiction essays as an Irish writer living overseas.
On the topic of personal essays, Narrative Magazine, www.narrativemagazine.com is looking for personal narratives (see bottom right of the website), personal pieces from wherever you are in the world. It's a wonderful online publication, with many of the contemporary author-biggies featured on there. The submissions are open to everyone.
Will be judging a Short Story competition along with Peter Sheridan and Brian Keenan. All details on www.bibliofemme.ie
has joined the internet community- check out her great new website www.sineadmoriarty.com
Sarah Webb will be signing copies of It Had To Be You- (new to paperback this month) in bookshops throughout Dublin on the 16th and 17th of April- keep an eye out for her!
As usual all the new releases are on-line for your viewing and reading pleasure Click HERE.
Recommend a book Did you know that we are most influenced in what we read, not by advertising, cover, reviews or displays in bookshops, but by the recommendations of people we know? So if you really enjoy a book, or love the writing of a particular author- share the pleasure by telling your friends!!
-Or write a quick review of the book in the reviews section of the Forum. Then other members can tell you what they thought of your choice.
-Or why not forward this e-mail to someone you know who loves books? I'm sure they'll thank you for it!
More Live On-line Interviews
Don't Forget!!
Weds April 13th 8pm Catherine Barry
Weds April 27th 8pm Alison Norrington
Wednesday May 18th 8pm Jacinta Mc Devitt
then... at dates yet to be arranged....
early June, Anne Marie O'Connor
late June, Tracy Culleton
Book Club- Don't forget- Thursday 28th April at 8pm. Log in to discuss Tina Reilly's Wedded Blitz. Even if you haven't managed to read it yet- log in for what promises to be a very, very lively discussion. (Tina is our book club moderator Lisa's favourite writer)
Have you read any of our previous book club choices? There's no reason not to start a new discussion....
If you want to sign up for the newsletter, to get your own copy straight into your e-mail box each month then click here
To read previous editions of this newsletter click here
That's all for this month,
So from me, and all the Irish Girls
Happy Reading!
Catherine
Hi All!
And welcome to your March newsletter
[click on blue or purple text for direct weblinks]
News
Did you notice, that Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code is off the top of the bestsellers? We have our own Cathy Kelly and Patricia Scanlan to thank. Only right on St Patrick's Day!
Don't Miss! Show Me The Money on Thursday March 24th RTE, 1 8:30. Tracy Culleton gets the Eddie Hobbs treatment of her financial affairs. See the reality behind trying to make a living as a writer in Ireland!!
Writing Coach- For anyone who missed Sarah Webb's excellent writing coach columns in Woman's Way- She has reproduced them all on her website
Things have really heated up on the new books front. New books are sprouting up more rapidly than daffodils! Loads to read over Easter and those lovely Bank Holidays that keep us sane while we wait for Summer.
So why not buy someone a book for Easter? Less calories than a chocolate egg, more relaxing than a bottle of wine!
Check out new releases HERE.
Ordering books on-line: I've noticed that alot of you have followed links (by clicking book covers) from the new releases page to Amazon, only to find that the books were 'special order' or 4-6 week delivery. So I'm going to link some books to the Hughes and Hughes site in future- it should make it easier for those of you trying to order from abroad. (And for those of you in Euroland- no nasty currency conversions!!)
Recommend a book Did you know that we are most influenced in what we read, not by advertising, cover, reviews or displays in bookshops, but by the recommendations of people we know? So if you really enjoy a book, or love the writing of a particular author- share the pleasure by telling your friends!!
-Or write a quick review of the book in the reviews section of the Forum. Then other members can tell you what they thought of your choice.
-Or why not forward this e-mail to someone you know who loves books? I'm sure they'll thank you for it!
Book Club- Don't forget- Thursday 24th March at 8pm. Log in to discuss Melissa Hill's Never Say Never. Even if you haven't managed to read it yet- log in for what promises to be a very lively discussion. (Did you read Melissa's on-line interview yet?)
More Live Online Interviews.
This is such a popular slot on the Forums, and so many writers are eager to give it a go, that we're going to try and step up the frequency
So the schedule for the next few months is:
Thursday March 31st- 8pm Sarah Webb
Weds April 13th 8pm Catherine Barry
Weds April 27th 8pm Alison Norrington
Wednesday May 18th 8pm Jacinta Mc Devitt
......and then... at dates yet to be arranged....
early June Anne Marie O'Connor
late June Tracy Culleton
Hi All!
And welcome to February's newsletter, earlier than usual because my own book Charlotte's Way is creeping up on me, and I'll need to devote loads of time to it!! (March's letter will probably be late!)
News
Aine Greaney tells us she has joined the part-time faculty at Writing, Literature and Publishing Program at Emerson College, Boston.
The only university in America dedicated to communications and the arts, Emerson College is often best known for its publication of "Ploughshares," the literary journal which has published authors such as John Irving, Russell Banks and Robert Pinksky. Aine will teach fiction writing and writing the personal essay.
Aine also wants to remind any of you who say you don't have time to write that Fish Anthologies are running a One Page Short Story Competition- That's right only One Page- no more excuses
Alison Norrington has joined the web community with her stunning new site click here to pay a visit.
Roisin Meaney is launching her new book- Putting Out The Stars in Eason's in Limerick on Feb 24th, 6:30 and would love to see you there.
And on that note, my own launch will be before the next newsletter, so I'll mention that too- Hughes and Hughes, St Stephen's Green 6:30 pm on the 8th of March
If anyone takes any good photos of the readers' event tomorrow (12th) and you'd like me to put them up on the site- e-mail them to me- but please reduce them first- about 400 pixels wide is plenty!
The Live Interview with Marisa Mackle went really well (read it here) During the interview itself we had people visiting in from France, the UK, Germany, The Netherlands, the US, Thailand, South Africa, and loads from Ireland.
And judging by the Statistics, the live interview is one of the most popular sections of the boards, being viewed several times every day- so we'll definitely keep it up!
I'm up next month, Tues March 1st, 8pm so I hope loads of you will log in to ask me questions.
A real glut of a month- have a look at the site. Loads to take into the bath with you, or to sit beside the fire with. I know February is supposed to be short.... But it feels soooooo looooong, and there's no better way of escaping the bad weather.
Congratulations to Tina Reilly! Wedded Blitz is Eason's Book of the Month for March (although, rumour has it, some copies have escaped early and have been seen in a bookshop near you- you have been warned)
To read about it, and all the other new releases this month- click here
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Hi All!
Welcome to January's newsletter.
A quiet month- but definitely the longest month of the year. So make it alot more pleasant by stocking up on books, burying yourself under a quilt with a huge mug of hot chocolate, and transport yourself to another world!
This month saw our first live interview- Melissa Hill was online answering your questions. It was lively session and Melissa even hinted at a secret she swore she was taking with her to the grave- read about it here
...And Marisa Mackle
In February, it will be the turn of Marisa Mackle, so log into the Forum, on Tuesday the 2nd Feb at 8pm [Irish time]. (The thread will be open a few days before that if you can't make it on the night and want to leave a question to warm up Marisa's typing fingers!)
What did you read this Christmas?
Share your opinions on what you read and recommend your favourites on the Forum. Or write a review of a book you've read recently. It's a while since we've had a reader review, and they generate such a lot of chat (and controversy)- read old reviews and add your own comments here
New this month
Did you get a load of book-tokens for Christmas?
You could save them up for months (and risk losing them!) or you could invest in one of the following new releases:
Children of Eve by Deirdre Purcell
Love Hurts by Linda Kavanagh
Love and Friendship by Nancy Ross
New Author Link-
Tina Reilly's excellent new website is well worth a visit.
Writers' advice column
No budding writer can afford to miss Sarah Webb's new weekly advice column in Woman's Way (Ireland). Each week Sarah will be addressing a different aspect of writing.
Reader Events
In Malahide Library on the evening of 10th Feb, 'A Fine Romance' - 4 of Ireland's top women authors talk about their favourite romantic novels and the role romance plays in their own work. Kate Thompson, Marita Conlon McKenna, Jacinta McDevitt, and Sarah Webb. Check with Malahide Library for details.
.....And don't forget:
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Libraries in Association with The Irish Girls present
A Book Affair to Remember
A Readers’ Day
Saturday 12th February 2005
Deansgrange Library
With Special Guest Speaker: Bestselling Author, Marian Keyes
A day you won’t forget!
10.00 Welcome - Natalie Boyce, librarian and Sarah Webb, author
10.00 - 11.00 Inspirational Reads: Books that changed my life
Introduced by Tracy Cullerton
Claudia Carroll, Anne Marie Forrest, Denyse Woods and Anita Notaro
Followed by - Inspirational Reads from the Floor: your chance to share your own personal favourites
11.00 - 11.20 Coffee and Bookshop
11.20 - 12.30 The Past is Myself: Researching and Writing Historical Fiction
Introduced by Tara Heavey
Rose Doyle, Catherine Dunne, Mary Ryan and Joan O’Neill
12.30 - 1.20 Lunch and Bookshop
Your chance to buy one of the speakers’ books and get it signed
‘Find Your Soul Mate’ - To celebrate Valentine’s Day, numerologist Grainne Tyndall will be on hand to advise you on how to find and recognise your soul mate
1.20 - 2.20 This Writer’s Life
Introduced by Melissa Hill
Marian Keyes in conversation with Martina Devlin
2.20 - 3.30 The Write Stuff
Practical tips on writing and submitting your manuscript
Introduced by Mary Hosty
Getting Started - Sinead Moriarty and Monica McInerney
The Next Step - Marisa Mackle and Tina Reilly
An Editor’s View - Alison Walsh from Tivoli
3.45 Close
Booking details to follow on Feb 1st- check website
And Finally...
If you want to sign up for this newsletter click. here
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Hi All,
And welcome to December's newsletter.
Christmas is nearly upon us, but don't forget to take time out from the festivities for your on-line bookclub.
This month's book is Loving Lucy by Tracy Culleton, and the date is set at the 23rd of December. (The choice of book involved a lively debate- which authors and readers joined in- Read it here)
November saw the first month of the book-club. Although some members were unable to get a copy of the book (Cecelia Ahern's Rainbow' End) on time to discuss it live, loads turned out for a book chat anyway. So although shaky, definitely a promising start. Well done Lisa! Log into the forum to read the discussion- members only I'm afraid!
As well as the on-line book club, next year we will be starting an exciting new venture.
Live on-line Question and Answer sessions with your favourite authors.
Our first author will be:
Melissa Hill who will take your questions on Wednesday January 12th at 8pm (Irish time!)
Following on from her, on dates yet to be finalised, will be:
Kate Thomson (early February)
Catherine Daly (early March)
Sarah Webb (April)
June Considine (May onwards)
Tracy Culleton
Marisa Mackle... and more...
So keep an eye on the News section of the boards for exact dates.
Other Book News:
Deirdre Purcell tells us that 'Be Delighted' (New Island) the tribute to Maureen Potter, has gone into its second printing... Clearly we're not the only people who think it would make a perfect christmas present!
And 'Children of Eve', Deirdre's next novel, is gearing up for an early January launch by Headline.
Cathy Kelly promises that her website will be online again soon. It was all to do with a bill to the wrong address, twins, finally finishing her next book, and some promised and well-deserved personal downtime! But read it in her own words here!
Tracy Culleton is filming with RTE's 'Show me the Money' at the moment. The show is due to go out in Spring sometime- we'll be sure to let you know when so you can pick up some valuable tips!
Marisa Mackle's interview with Cecelia Ahern appeared in Woman's Way and she's given us a copy to post on the website- thanks Marisa! Read it here
Sarah Webb has the details of the readers' day in Deansgrange for us:
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Libraries in Association with The Irish Girls present:
A Book Affair to Remember
A Readers' Day
Saturday 12th February 2005, Deansgrange Library
With Special Guest Speaker: Bestselling Author, Marian Keyes -A day you won't forget!
Program
10.00 Welcome - Natalie Boyce, librarian and Sarah Webb, author
10.00 - 11.00 Inspirational Reads: Books that changed my life- Introduced by Tracy Cullerton
Claudia Carroll, Anne Marie Forrest, Denyse Woods and Anita Notaro
Followed by - Inspirational Reads from the Floor: your chance to share your
own personal favourites
11.00 - 11.20 Coffee and Bookshop
11.20 - 12.30 The Past is Myself: Researching and Writing Historical Fiction. Introduced by Tara Heavey
Rose Doyle, Catherine Dunne, Mary Ryan and Joan O'Neill
12.30 - 1.20 Lunch and Bookshop -Your chance to buy one of the speakers' books and get it signed
'Find Your Soul Mate' - To celebrate Valentine's Day, numerologist Grainne
Tyndall will be on hand to advise you on how to find and recognise your soul
mate
1.20 - 2.20 This Writer's Life Introduced by Melissa Hill
Marian Keyes in conversation with Martina Devlin
2.20 - 3.30 The Write Stuff
Practical tips on writing and submitting your manuscript
Introduced by Mary Hosty
Getting Started - Sinead Moriarty and Monica McInerney
The Next Step - motivation etc - Marisa Mackle and Tina Reilly
An Editor's View - Alison Walsh from Tivoli
Booking details to follow in Jan
-There will also be a series of writing workshops in Deansgrange library starting in the new year- but details have yet to be finalised- so keep reading your newsletters!
Special Offers:
Poolbeg's offer of 30% off and a free book with every order, is still running for a limited time.
Tivoli has big reductions on all it's titles. Check them out at www.gillmacmillan.ie (follow the fiction link)
That's all for now- except to say
Happy Christmas to everyone from all The Irish Girls!!
To get your own copy of the newsletter, sent to you hot off the press click here
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November 2004
The Writeon-Irishgirls site is getting busier and busier and the forum has become a lovely place to visit and unwind at the end of the day. (In fact it’s too lovely a place, and it’s very hard to limit it to the end of the day!!)
This month Sarah Webb came up with the brilliant idea of an online book club- a very popular idea if the posts on the subject are to be believed. Lisa, (our number one poster) has kindly agreed to moderate the book club and I’ve started a new section of the Forum for it.
The first meeting will be on November 25th 8pm Irish time. There’s also a link in the forum to work out your local time.
Only members will be allowed to read the book club or post messages to it, and of course it will remain on the boards after the actual date so you can still access it later if you miss the day itself. (I believe some members in Australia are planning to set the alarm clock for it???)
Have you checked out the Writers' Links Page recently- new writers get added all the time!
Is there anything else you'd like to see on the site? Reply to this e-mail, or post a message in the Forum
Reader and Writers' Day in Deansgrange Library, Sat Feb 12th 2005. 10-3:30
A Book Affair to Remember
Speakers will include –Marian Keyes, Catherine Dunne, Marita Conlon McKenna and Rose Doyle.
The day will be hosted by Sarah Webb.
Booking details to follow in Jan.
Why not have look at some of the photos of the last event to whet your bookish appetite!
And Talking of Reader's Days...
Check out Sarah Webb's site for a full account of Reader I Married Him
Attention writers - published and otherwise!
Pathways to Publication
The Irish Writer’s Union is holding an Information Day on Saturday 22nd January 2005. An informative and expert group of speakers will be participating in the event which take place in the Reading Rooms of the Irish Writer’s Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.
For more detail check out the Writing Tips section of the website
Strange happenings in Kennilworth Square.
Anyone familiar with this leafy square in Rathgar in Dublin will have noticed the movie trucks and bright lights installed there periodically over the past month or so. Tara Road by Maeve Binchy was being filmed there with Andie Mc Dowell in oneof the leads.
Not sure when the film is due out, but I'm looking forward to it already!!
Dare I say it? Christmas is getting closer so it’s time to start thinking of presents!
A present that would suit virtually anyone is:
Edited By Deirdre Purcell.
(New Island books)
€1 from every copy sold will go to the DSPCA, Maureen’s pet charity.
(Deirdre Purcell’s own 10th novel, Children of Eve will be released by Headline Ireland in January- so there’s one well worth saving your book tokens for!)
Special Offer
Poolbeg have just started a special offer between now and Christmas-
30% off book orders online from now until Xmas and also, if you buy a book from Poolbeg you will receive a free "Editor's Choice" book for a limited time only (this will change from week to week). Also, repeat customers with a coupon (sent to regular customers) will receive 50% off their next order.
Another great offer is on one of their new titles The Affair by Anna Dillon - get €6 off before Dec 31st. This is currently available in all bookshops.
And Finally...
If you have any news for the next newsletter- let me have it by December 10th
If you want to subscribe regulerly to this newsletter then sign up for it by clicking here the box at the top of this page.
To read previous editions of this newsletter click here
That's all for this month,
So from me, and all the Irish Girls
Happy Reading!
Catherine
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October 2004
Writeon-Irishgirls.com October Newsletter
Our First Newsletter!
It's hard to believe that it’s less that two months since www.writeon-irishgirl.com went live. The site has had over 670 visits (Over 2300 page views) and you’ve left nearly 200 messages on the message boards. (And of course, that’s not counting people who visit without leaving messages!!)
I speak for all the Irish Girls when I say it’s wonderful to receive such encouragement. Thank-you all!
It can be very lonely in the office, spare room or at the kitchen table, hammering away at a keyboard, not sure if anyone is going to read, let alone like the words which fill our screens. So it’s great to be able to go on-line and discover that Yes! That mythical creature ‘the reader’ really does exist, and more to the point, they seem to read books! Our books!
And so, it was even better to turn up at the readers day at Pearse library and meet so many readers in the flesh. There were several lively discussions on books and on getting published.
The day kicked off with writers Colette Caddle, Sheila O’Flanagan, and Anita Notaro and librarian Eithne Massey sharing their favourite books. These ranged from the entire works of Ian Fleming (Sheila) to Toast by Nigel Slater (Anita).
Then Martina Devlin interviewed Kate Thompson and Deirdre Purcell about their writing lives. (Kate left the rest of us green with envy, as she always seems to be at least a book ahead of herself. She finished us off altogether by sharing with us the day that one of her books appeared in her head even as her husband was printing off the previous one in the attic!)
After lunch, during which we had the chance to meet and chat to everyone, and to buy books (courtesy of Easons- Thanks Aileen)-it was the turn of new authors, Claudia Carroll, Roisin Meaney and myself (Catherine Daly), to share our experiences of getting published for the first time.
Finally Gemma Barry (Dubray books), Faith O’Grady (Agent with Lisa Richards Agency), Maria Dickenson (Easons and Publishing News) and Sinead Gleeson (Bibliofemme) shared their view of the books industry, present and future in a forum called ‘Chick Lit to Lit Lite’.
Apart from the writers on panels, there were plenty of others milling around chatting and signing books!
The day was a huge success- Thanks to Sarah Webb and Jane Alger of Dublin city libraries for organising it.
Sarah is organising another event for Spring- So Watch This Space!!
This Month on the Website:
Have you checked the Recent Releases page? Why don't you write a review?
Interview: with Author Aine Greaney- Living and writing in the US
Hot or interesting Topics On the Forum:
Where’s everyone from? Lively introductions topic
How do you choose?- An author begs for your assistance
In our Reviews section- we’ve kicked off with Maeve Binchy’s Night of Rain and Stars- Warning- lively discussion!! (you must join the forum to read this section)
In writing discussions (a members only area- you need to log on first) some interesting questions and answers about synopsis writing and submitting manuscripts. Plenty of authors have joined in here- so make the most of their experience.
See you all next month, keep chatting on the Forums- and keep in touch- otherwise we won't know what you'd like to see on the website
The Irish Girls!
September 2004
Still working on it!
I'll have a newsletter out to you by the end of September (mmm, maybe middle of October???)
I Promise!!
In the meantime- see what kind of gossip you can pick up in the Forum!
August 2004
We're only just getting going, so no real news yet. But if you sign up to the mailing list above, I'll send you a regular newsletter as soon as it gets going
site designed and maintained by:Catherine Daly
