THE ANNAGHMAKERRIG AFTERS

Home from Annaghmakerrig. Real world re-entry is hard. No more fabulously tasty meals and decadent desserts, no more fresh scones and Scrabble, no more Eimear Quinn singing, no more buttercup and lake walks, no more lovely, funny convos with people of wit and wisdom.

The blow is softened, of course, by seeing my kiddies and husband, the cats and the canary, and opening some nice cava to celebrate my new book, which I got to hold for the first time today. Whoop!!

I also pressed send today, after finishing the final re-write on Becoming Belle, at Annaghmakerrig. So, mission accomplished. When the MS is off your hands, you expect major relief and giddy happiness. What you get is a muted 'Oh' from yourself and a minor ache because your beloved characters have flown.

Annaghmakerrig was the perfect mix of hard work and joyful companionship. I am now going to take two whole days off. I plan to read and walk and do little else. After that, it's the start of promo work on Joyride to Jupiter which, of course, I'm looking forward to hugely.

I hope you'll all join me at the launches for Joyride to Jupiter on the 14th and 16th of June, in Dublin and Galway respectively. Full details to follow.

TOM GAULD, TYRONE GUTHRIE, EDITING/REWRITING

Another gem from Tom Gauld:

I head to the Tyrone Guthrie Centre tomorrow to finish the final rewrite on my novel Becoming Belle, out June 2018. It has been quite a journey with this novel but I am looking at the finish line now, thank the stars. I can't wait to hand it in and get on with other things: mentoring, launching my short story collection Joyride to Jupiter and doing festivals to promote it, starting at Belfast Book Festival on the 8th June. I also can't wait to write something else. The thrill of having time to start either a new novel or concentrate for a bit on short stories. Whoop! Bring. It. On.

NOVEL MASTERCLASS WITH MIA GALLAGHER

Saturday 27^th May 10.30am-1.30pm

Follow up: Saturday 2^nd Sept – 10.30am-1.00pm

Are you writing a novel? Join Farmleigh’s Writer-in-Residence, internationally acclaimed author Mia Gallagher, for two intensive morning masterclasses on The Novel. In each session, Mia will address a range of common concerns and difficulties faced by many novelists, both emerging and established. Responding to each participant’s needs, she will share technical and inspirational tools to help you better understand your process, the type of work you are making and how to make it – including the key question of how to complete a first draft. The initial session (May) will identify a set of realisable writing aims for each participant over the summer. In the follow-up masterclass (September), you will be able to share any new challenges, questions and breakthroughs you’ve identified during that time.

Places are free of charge but limited to 12 people, and allocated through a submission process. Priority will be given to writers who are in the middle to late stages of a first draft, or who are already working on their second draft.  Writers who can attend both sessions (May and September) will also be given priority.

To apply: Please email 250 words to linda.moran@opw.ie by 5pm May 19th. As part of the 250 words, state what you think is the biggest problem you are facing with the novel, and what you would like the masterclass to help you with.

Mia Gallagher is a novelist and performer based in Dublin. She is the author of two acclaimed novels: HellFire (Penguin Ireland, 2006), winner of the Irish Tatler Literature Award (2007), and Beautiful Pictures of the Lost Homeland (New Island, 2016), longlisted for the inaugural Republic of Consciousness Award (UK, 2016) and chosen for the Irish Times Book Club in February 2017. Mia’s essays, reviews and award-winning short fiction have been widely published at home and abroad. She is an experienced editor, mentor and workshop facilitator and relishes working with emerging novelists who are committed to creating long form fiction.

COVER REVEAL - Joyride to Jupiter

Today I can reveal the cover for Joyride to Jupiter, my new short story collection, out in June, from New Island. It will be released June 12th and there will be two launches:

The Gutter Bookshop, Dublin, 14th June, 6.30pm. Lia Mills will launch.

Rosie McGurran Gallery and Studio, Roundstone, Galway, 16th June - Bloomsday! - time & launcher tbc.

Ta-dah! Floaty woman in sparkly shoes and lots of clouds. I love it! Thanks to Mariel Deegan for a fun, collaborative design process.