LISTOWEL AFTERS & PICS

Between preparing for the Italy trip (more of which on the Italo-Irish Literature Exchange blog), and a final, final edit for Penguin, I have been distractedly busy. I hardly took any photos in Listowel - I was too busy teaching, eating and attending events. But, for what it's worth, here are my pictures. Most taken on my phone, so not great quality...

It was a great few days of short story blather at my workshop with a lovely group of 13 people (mostly men, unusually). I went to two launches - firstly Mary O'Donnell's novel Where They Lie was launched by John Mac Kenna in the library. The book is fab - I have started it and it's beautifully well written and intriguing.

Me and Jim Crace

I interviewed English writer Jim Crace, author of Man Booker shortlisted novel, Harvest, in St John's. He was fluent, interesting, honest and friendly. The book is brilliant - flawless in language and tension.

Authors John Mac Kenna and Mary O'Donnell

John Mac Kenna's novel Clare, was launched by Mary O'Donnell (synchronicity!) in the Boys' School on Friday afternoon. John read beautifully and spoke movingly about the life of John Clare, the 19th C poet.

John B. Keane and me

Otherwise, we bumped into friends, real and virtual - Paul Durcan was the first person I met when we arrived at the hotel (lovely Paul!). I had delicious rhubarb and orange crumble in John R's café. Juno refused to chat with Anne Enright (of all people...). I went to hear Douglas Kennedy discuss narrative in life and fiction. And Juno very much enjoyed Sarah Webb's morning of children's games.

And, because I was teaching, I didn't stay up for the all night sessions of music and drink, so I may have missed out a bit on the night-time conviviality. But, no matter, I had a fabulous time; the sun shone and the town was packed with enthusiastic readers and writers, making for a sweet atmosphere. All thanks to Eilish Wren, Máire Logue and the Listowel committee.

Juno in front of a little house - Listowel is chock full of interesting, native architecture

The view from the back of The Listowel Arms, the hotel where we stayed

Mary O'Donnell signing at her launch

O'Connor's in Foynes

THE KINGDOM AWAITS - WRITERS WEEK

Jim Crace, author of the wonderful Harvest

I am almost sick with excitement to be heading off to Listowel later today for my first ever visit to Writers Week. The shame! I just always seem to be elsewhere over the June Bank Holiday. I was invited last year but it clashed with a trip to Spain so they very graciously re-invited me this year.

I am looking forward very much to meeting my 15 short story workshoppers tomorrow, to attending the launch of fellow New Islander Mary O'Donnell's novel Where They Lie, and to interviewing the mighty Jim Crace on Friday.

I hope to see some of you in the Kingdom of Kerry over the next few days. In the meantime: Must. Calm. Down.

MY PICK OF THE SHORT REVIEW

The latest Short Review is online and this is my favourite review of the piece: Jim Crace's The Devils' Larder reviewed by Pauline Masurel.

Look at that cover. Magnificent! If the cover doesn't woo you, Pauline's review will, I think:

'Most of the stories have a certain darkness in the mix. Food is often still closely associated with the earth or water in which it grows. The collection is seasoned throughout with Crace’s love of language and measured rhythm of delivery.'
I just went to Amazon and bought the book and I look forward to reading it.

It was pointed out to me by a festival organiser that there is not much food in my short stories. (The theme of the festival was 'Convivialité'.) I LOVE food and it surprised me that I don't mention it much in my fiction - it's certainly not deliberate.

Do click on Pauline's name above to see her rather charming website.