I’ve had a very busy time for the first two weeks of Book Festival. I’ve been in Dublin, Belfast, Lisburn, Kildare and Laois. It’s been really great and everyone has shown me a lovely welcome on my travels. I’ve had lots of tea, lots of biscuits and quite a few totally delicious lunches.

Next week, though, I’m glad to be staying closer to home. For a change, I won’t be fretting about whether I’ll be able to find my destination, or where I’m going to park if I actually do find it. (Since my helicopter is in for repairs!)

On Monday, I’ll be in Limerick City Library.

On Wednesday, I’ll be in my local library, at Watchhouse Cross, also in Limerick.

On Thursday and Friday it’s off to Tipperary with Sarah Webb and Oisin McGann for a few Ideas Workshop sessions. We’ll be in Nenagh, Thurles, Clonmel and Tipperary town. Looking forward to it already.

If anyone would like to come along to any of these events, just give the libraries a call to confirm exact times and dates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s that time of year again, when I set off in to the fields (ok, the garden) to harvest my sweet pepper crop.

Here’s a picture:

Some points to note:

1. That is not a sample of the crop. It is the crop, in its entirety.

2. That is not a real aeroplane.

3. If I am determined to grow peppers, maybe I should move to California.

4. I’ve just finished Friends Forever Book 3 – The Mystery Tour (Yippee!). If I’ve resorted to posting stories about peppers, maybe it’s time to get going on my next project.

What  a lovely weekend I had in Dun Laoghaire.

First it was the Monster Book Lunch, one of my favourite events of the entire year. How nice it was to get to my table and to see some girls were joining me for the third year in a row. Always great to meet up with old friends and new.

Here are Denise Deegan, Claire Hennessy and me enjoying the sunshine before the event:

On Sunday, after a walk on the pier, it was off to the County Hall to meet Sinead, who had won a meeting with me in a competition (!). She was joined by her friend Grace, and her mum, and the four of us had a very  nice chat.

Next it was time for the Princesses of the Pen event. I don’t consider myself royalty, but it was nice to pretend for an hour. The very nice and professional Diana Bunuci interviewed Pauline McLynn, Marita Conlon Mckenna and me, and it was a great event. Afterwards there were questions, and then a signing. Here are some pictures:

 

 

 

I’m always sorry to leave Dun Laoghaire, but this time it was easier than usual. My lovely family (and Robyn) had scrubbed the house, been shopping, and prepared an amazing barbecue for lots of our friends. All I had to do was waltz in, (just like the princess I’d been that afternoon,), and enjoy the party. Could get used to this!

 

 

If it’s September in Ireland, than it has to be time for the Mountains to Sea Festival in Dun Laoghaire. It’s a highlight of the year for me, and as always, I’m really looking forward to it. There are loads of great events for adults and children. I’m not going to list them here, but you can check them out at www.mountainstosea.ie.

I’ll be at the Monster Book Lunch on Saturday 8th. This is always a great event, if a bit manic – (in a good way!)

I always wanted to be a Princess, and on Sunday 9th, my wish will be coming true. I’m teaming up with the brilliant writers Pauline McLynn and Marita Conlon-McKenna, in an event called Princesses of the Pen. We are going to be interviewed by the super-cool Diana Bunici from elev8. (Let’s hope she’s been practicing her curtseys.)

Now where did I put that tiara??

This morning I got my advance copy of Leave it to Eva. I’m really pleased with how it looks. Here’s a picture of the three Eva books together. I think they make a great team! Leave it to Eva will be on the shelves in late August/early September.

 

My bookshelves are getting rather crowded, as last week I got the Australian versions of Don’t ask Alice, and Alice in the Middle. Domino seems to like them, which is usually a good sign!