Nuala Ní Chonchúir's Blog, page 36

FIRST REVIEW OF *CLOSET*

Writer Mary O'Donnell has given The Closet of Savage Mementos a beautifully written and considerate review on her blog Medea999. A taster: '[Ní Chonchúir] belongs to the pitiably small breed of female authors who do not prettify sexuality or physicality, and whose characters are fleshly, sensuous creatures as at ease with the rhythms of their bodies as they are with the rhythms of their minds. That’s one thing. The other thing is that she tells good stories, whether writing short fiction or long. '

Mary's fourth novel Where They Lie, will be launched at Listowel Writers' Week on Thursday May 29th at 4pm in Listowel Library. And I'll be there - yay!

NOVEL GIVEAWAY - FACEBOOK

I'm having a giveaway for my novel over on my Facebook Author page. All you have to do is like the page, then like and share the giveaway post and encourage other likers. And leave a comment to say you've done it. Easy!

Call for Submissions: Irish Pages Heaney Special Issue

The Editors of Irish Pages, Chris Agee and Cathal Ó Searcaigh, are currently assembling a special issue entitled "Heaney", in English and Irish, due out in October 2014. There will be a particular focus, of course, on poetry, memoir, reminiscence and literary essays of a non-specialist nature directly relating to the man and his work; but the issue will also include outstanding writing of all creative genres, especially poems, from Ireland and overseas, in a posthumous celebration of the enduring literary imagination in general.
Submissions should be sent by the middle of May by email to editor@irishpages.org, or by post to The Editors, Irish Pages/Duillí Éireann, 129 Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 1SH.
Full details of the journal and its submission procedure can be found at www.irishpages.org .

CEASE, COWS & LITERARY ORPHANS & THE DEATH OF ALISTAIR MACLEOD

I know this blog is all about what I'm up to at the mo and I apologise for that. When you have a book out it's all about those 'graceless musterings', to quote Edna O'Brien. I promise I will shut up soon and go back to offering tidbits for you. I do have a giveaway of the new novel planned!

In the meantime I have work in the special Irish issue of Literary Orphans and at the incomparable Cease, Cows. A historical flash called 'American Wake' at the former and one about flying babies at the latter. Both have brillinat illustrations accompanying them, which is always fun.

* Alistair MacLeod, trotting back from a night out in Little Rock, Arkansas, surrounded by Mary Costello, Paddy O'Reilly, Jamie O'Connell, Anne Luttrell and his son, Alex.On a sombre note, I was very sad to hear of the death of Alistair MacLeod - a brilliant Canadian writer and a lovely man. I met him on three separate occasions and he was great company. He had the energy, warmth and spirit of the truly gifted. My sympathies to Alex and all the MacLeods. RIP, Alistair.

YOUTUBE READING FROM *CLOSET* AT KENNYS

ARENA - TONIGHT

I'll be on Arena on RTÉ Radio 1 tonight discussing issues of ageing and mortality and how they’re depicted in the arts with Seán Rocks, and a panel consisting of myself, Michéle Forbes, Shaun Dunne and Bernard Clarke. 7pm – 8pm.

LAUNCH PICS FROM THE GUTTER

The launch went wonderfully well on Tuesday night - I am only now back at my desk. Huge thanks to Bob and the team at The Gutter Book Shop, all at New Island Books, Gráinne Killeeen of Killeen PR, Sinéad Gleeson for the blush-inducing intro and to Karen O'Neill for the photos. It was a great night, jammed with family, friends, writer-friends and a dog, who yelped right on cue when I said we would be adjourning to the Parlour Bar in The Stag's Head after the launch. Whisky and wine were drank, Kendal Mint Cake and shortbread were eaten, chats were had. A lovely evening. Here are some pics.
Flowers & a card from hubby - aw! Me with my posing smile and the book Scotch - I had fun collecting the shot glasses in charity shops here and in Scotland, and on ebay & my beloved Etsy Kendal Mint Cake features in the novel, as does the paperweight this bar is propped against Shortbread, mint cake and Scotch - mmmm! Signing! (There was a lot of that.) Mariel Deegan of New Island Books, freelance super-editor Deirdre O'Neill, Finbar McLoughlin Bob Johnston of The Gutter Book Shop (fresh off the plane from Paris!) Sinéad Gleeson and me, listening to Eoin Purcell The incomparable Sinéad Gleeson Me with a pure O'Connor expression on my face Some of the crowd, writers Mary O'Donnell & Lia Mills visible, also journalists Cathy Dillon & Sue Leonard My son, Finn, and me Writer Mia Gallagher (if you haven't read her novel *Hellfire*, please do - fab) Writer Kathleen Murray Me, my Da - Hugh O'Connor - & my brother-in-law, Alan Kerrigan Gráinne Killeen of Killeen PR Bob Johnston, superhost Joan Murphy, photographer Karen O'Neill et moi in The Stag's Head The beautiful writer Dimitra X Writers Monica McInerney and Maighréad Medbh in the signing queue View from my hotel room - the lovely Liffey

NOVEL LAUNCH & INTERVIEW

Launc tonight! In honour of the day I am interviewed by writer Lia Mills on her blog Libran Writer.

BOOK TRAILER FOR *THE CLOSET OF SAVAGE MEMENTOS*

My launch is tomorrow for The Closet of Savage Mementos. Ahead of it, I made a little book trailer for the book which is now available to buy online from Kennys Bookshop and from Charlie Byrne's. It will be in a shop near you by the end of this week. Or you can buy it at the launch! All welcome tomorrow in The Gutter, Temple Bar, Dublin at 6.30pm, where arts journalist Sinéad Gleeson will do the launching honours. And we will have wine, shortbread, whisky and Kendal Mint Cake. Hope to see you there!

CRANNÓG EVENT - READING THIS EVENING!

I'll be reading one poem and a short extract from The Closet of Savage Mementos at this Crannóg lit mag event at the Cúirt Festival this evening. All welcome!