LAUNCH & LONDON AFTERS

I feel like I am on very fast train with just occasional pitstops in Ballinasloe. When I get to Ballinasloe I either a) do housework and mind kids, or b) sit at my laptop and mind kids. Conclusion? The glamour never ends...

So, the launch in The Winding Stair went off beautifully - lots of people, book sold out, warm atmosphere. Among many others, my dear little Auntie Eta came - she has been such a stalwart supporter. Thanks to all who came - it was a lovely night.

These are some of my friend Karen O'Neill's pics (she is available for weddings!).

Me reading - with rather a funny stance :)

Eoin Purcell launching Mother America

Signing with my mushroom pen - a gift from writer and blogger Rachel Fenton

Signing for writer Monica McInerney (who ran to Easons to buy 3 copies when the Winding Stair sold out - sshhh!)

And then it was a hop, skip and a jump to London, to the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith where I received a warm welcome from the Centre's manager, Catherina Casey and assistant manager, Kelly. I read and was interviewed by Catherina, and it was a relaxed, friendly event.

Art work by Fion Gunn at the Cultural Centre, London

After lunch in the Centre, Bernard O'Donoghue and Claire Keegan did the same - they were interviewed by Dorothy Allen, an Irish journalist who lives in London. Both read beautifully and talked very interestingly about their respective childhoods and how that affects their work. Claire talked about being lucky - she got several good breaks early on, meeting David Marcus for example.

Bernard O'Donoghue, me and Claire Keegan by Hammersmith Bridge

After the readings Catherina brought us for food and drinks to a riverside pub near Hammersmith Bridge - it was buzzy and beautiful and we were joined by an Irish couple, based in Oxford, who had attended the readings. All very jolly!

Barges on the Thames at dusk

Next stop Dalkey Book Festival on Saturday where I am reading at The Magpie Inn, Coliemore Road, with Mary Costello, at 7.30pm.

*MOTHER AMERICA* LAUNCH - TONIGHT!

Mother America, my new short story collection, is being launched tonight at The Winding Stair Book Shop in Dublin at 6.30pm. My launcher can not now make it but the lovely Eoin Purcell is going to say a few words.

Come and enjoy a glass of wine, hear me reading from the book and soak up the lovely atmosphere of The Winding Stair, one of our best independent book shops.

I hope the torrential rain doesn't keep everyone at home. Eek!

THE WINDING STAIR on CULTURE NIGHT - PICS etc.

PJ Nolan reads from The Poetry Bus

Dublin was buzzing on Culture Night, the streets alive with tourists and culture vultures, going from venue to venue, soaking it all up. We went to The Winding Stair Bookshop, the sweetest and funkiest book shop in the city.

We arrived in time to hear readings from the new edition of The Poetry Bus from Kate Dempsey, PJ Nolan and Kit Fryatt. Each of them read with great passion and energy.

Kit is a particularly exuberant reader: she sang, she danced, she expounded and she managed to be both clever and funny. A great perfomer - I had heard her for the first time two weeks ago at Phizzfest and it was a treat to see her again.

Kate Dempsey

Elaine & Sarah of The Winding Stair

Kit Fryatt in full flight

Meself

 I read from the newly expanded edition of my second short fiction collection To The World of Men, Welcome; the story 'The Ouse's Call' about Virginia Woolf's last days. Nice and cheery ;)

Juno joins me for my reading

Juno, my two-year-old daughter, decided it would be nice to hold my hand for a bit while I read and so she did.

The Winding Stair is one of those shops where you want to buy everything you see - they have a gorgeous selection of books and cards.

We had to leave after my reading and before the band The Young Folk came on unfortunately - Juno was not going to last much longer - but, as always, it was a treat to read in The Winding Stair and especially for Culture Night.

Finbar & Juno enjoying the readings (and each other!)

To The World of Men, Welcome - reissue & giveaway & reading

 
Arlen House have issued a paperback and newly expanded edition of my second short story collection, To The World of Men, Welcome. Excitement!

The collection came out in 2005 and this new edition has three new stories, one of which features Virginia Woolf.

I am giving away a copy of the book to one reader of Women Rule Writer; I will post to anywhere in the world. I'll be reading from the book in The Winding Stair bookshop on Culture Night in Dublin this Friday 23rd September at 7.30pm.

To win a copy of the book all you need to do is answer this question: which iconic Dublin bridge crosses the Liffey beside The Winding Stair bookshop?

Leave your answer in the comments and I will put your name in the hat for the draw which will take place next Wednesday the 28th September.

WINDING STAIR PICS

Some pics from last night's reading in the gorgeous Winding Stair Bookshop in Dublin. Big thanks to Regan and staff for a relaxed, friendly hosting. What a great shop it is. And thanks to everyone who turned up, listened, asked questions and bought the book. Thanks to Karen for the photos, as always. It was a lovely evening.

Signing the novel

Me with author Patrick Chapman

Me with my sweet Auntie Eta

Shelf-mates: Irene Némirovsky and Anais Nin!!

WINDING STAIR READING

I'm reading from You tomorrow night in The Winding Stair in Dublin.

Thursday 29th April, 8pm. All welcome!

The Frank O'Connor Short Story Award longlist has been released. Nude is on it - thanks to Salt for sending it in. More here.