Thursday 11 March 2010

BITS 'n' BOBS OF GOOD NEWSY STUFF


Great fun this week. Apart from the sick Man and the sick Baby, all goes well.

First exhibition of my artist's collective Group 8 on Saturday - excitement. My baby sis is coming down to it. And there'll be poetry and wine. Little poetry, lotsa wine.

My blog is on the shortlist for the Irish Blog Awards. More shortlisting to follow. Fingers crossed.

I've been offered a CRAZY amount of money (IMO) for a short story by a prestigious publication. I feel like F. Scott Fitzgerald. Kind of. Not really. He lived on the income from his short fiction. I have earned more than This Special Amount for a single story before but only by winning comps. This feels good.

I was told a secret piece of info, that I'm not allowed share ever, about my writing - it warmed my heart.

I've got a gig teaching short fiction for a week-end at the Irish Writers' Centre in May.

I didn't get an agent. Again. (I need an agent - interested parties mail me at nuala AT nualanichonchuir DOT com...) And, no, I have nothing new to sell. Just myself and the foreign rights for my novel. And everything else I ever write...

The launch of my novel You at the Cúirt Festival has been confirmed for Saturday the 24th April, at 5pm in the Dáil Bar on Cross Street, Galway. YEEESSS!!!! I ♥ Cúirt!


I heard today that I've been awarded a 2 week residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre from Galway County Council. I will have quiet time to write some time this year. Yipee!!! Note to self: wean Baby.


I'll be reading from my novel (have I mentioned my novel?) at one of my favourite bookshops ever on Thursday the 29th April at 8pm: The Winding Stair in Dublin.


What a week. And you know, I credit my Lit Death Match win with it all - that medal is swinging over my desk like a big old lucky charm.

22 comments:

Unknown said...

Jeez, what's wrong with them agents - are they blind, deaf dumb and other stuff? So good to hear all your good news. Well-wishes to the man and the baba. Wean baby - gosh I remember that... eeouch!

Good news, good news, go Nuala, go Nuala :)

Group 8 said...

Ah thanks Barbara. Not sure what to think re agents. They seem to only want people who have something they can sell for the first time kind of thing. Oh, I don't know. It's driving me nuts!

Ethel Rohan said...

Fantastic news, Nuala. I couldn't be happier for you. You go!!!

Anonymous said...

Woah ... good week! Congrats on everything, especially the story commissioning. How many figures we talking? ;)

Niamh B said...

Congrats on all the good news... that's a mighty long list there!

Group 8 said...

Ah thanks girls. I'm also on a jelly bean high which may account for my exuberant sharing.
Unfortunately, jelly belly is now setting in. Urgh.
Must. Not. OD. On. Sugar...

Group 8 said...

@ Eimear - it would be indiscreet to say...I'm sure famous writers would sniff at what I think is a large sum but I'm thrilled. It's sterling too, which makes it even bigger ha ha!

Liz said...

Nuala, all I can say is wow! and wow! again...enjoyed reading all the 'positive-ness' in your post...warmed the cockles and makes me want to get back on my writing horse again....roll on Summer! Congrats on it all...you must be over the moon, jelly babies or no jelly babies! ; )

Group 8 said...

Hope you get back on that horse soon, Liz ;)

They were jelly beans - an Irish version of Jelly Bellies. Totally gorgeous and I ate FAR too many. We have a jar of them. Forgotten since Xmas. Now resurrected and I am addicted/obsessed. Can't wait til they are all gone!

Anna May said...

Hey Nuala,

Well done - you're on a jelly roll !

Anna May x

Rachel Fenton said...

Congrats on so much "heart warming" lovely super dooperness.

You are one busy woman. Keep it up!

Hope bub and mister are better soon!

Got my fingers crossed for you re agents!

Tania Hershman said...

That's all the most wonderful news, has really made my day! I love hearing when great things happen to people I like... and when they're writers, it's even nicer ;) Of course now totally intrigued as to what you can never tell, ever, and about the fabulous short story commission! You'd say if it was the New Yorker, right????!!!

Agents, schmagents...(yes, I have none either). More fool them, you are a shooting star!

Group 8 said...

Thanks girls.

Yes, T, I'd say if it was the New Yorker. I wish ;)

Elise Chidley said...

Nuala, looks like you're published before having an agent? Cart before the horse? Do you think you really need one? You seem to be doing really well without one...

Unknown said...

Wow! That's one fantastic multiple dose of good news- except for the agent thing (and sick family members). It must just be a matter of time before one of them comes to their senses and sees your career potential.It must be! (I need to believe this as much as you do, or I may as well give up altogether!)
Jo
x

Totalfeckineejit said...

Sounds like you need an agent like you need a hole in the head, how much success can you handle? Congrherlamareations!

Group 8 said...

I want world domination, guys, mwuhaahaahaahaa!

And some money to live on would be nice.

Merc said...

Brilliant news, Nuala.

Just tweeted:
Brilliant Irish writer http://tinyurl.com/ygom8wc just published her first novel and is open to the right representation offer.

Hope you don't mind.

Group 8 said...

Merc - no I don't mind, thank you! (Novel out 19th April, btw!)

Unknown said...

Nuala, all that good news is just brilliant! And The Tyrone Guthrie Centre too.... Your stars must be all in the right place at the moment. I agree with the other comments,I think you are your own best agent,but hopefully you'll get one soon for foreign rights etc, and of course, to start a bidding war for YOU!!

Kar said...

OMG! I go away for a few days and millions happen, Congrats friendeen, talk soon, x

Group 8 said...

@ Lucy - it's too late for a bidding war seeing that New Island have already bought it. But maybe for the next novel ;)

@Kar - I had a great week. Back to humdrum now!