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So what are you still doing here?

I’m just back from Listowel Writers Week, and I had a brilliant time. I met lots of other writers, and heaps of people who were there because, like me, they love books.

I did readings in Listowel library, and in Scoil Realta na Maidine. A big ‘hi’ to all the readers who showed such interest, and asked such great questions.

I have to say a big thanks, to the festival committee, who did such a great job of organising the festival, making it the highlight of most writers’ years. Special thanks are due to Veronica who brought me to my events, and generally pampered me and minded me while I was in Listowel.

The festival goes on until Sunday night, so there’s still time to catch lots of great writers, including my friends Sarah Webb and Roisin Meaney.

There are only two bad things about my trip to Listowel:

1. I couldn’t stay longer

2. I was so busy having fun, I forgot to take any photographs.  Luckily the teachers weren’t so forgetful, so here’s a picture that I’ve borrowed from the Scoil Realta na Maidine website.

Lots of people couldn’t get to the Puffin launch last night, so I promised to write about it in detail here.

So here it is:

There were lots of amazing things about the Puffin launch in Easons last night. The first thing for me, was meeting the other two Puffin Ireland authors (Laura Jane Cassidy and Mark O’Sullivan) for the first time. They are both really nice. They did great readings from their novels – just enough to whet my appetite for more.

Me reading - luckily it's a still picture so you can't see my hands shaking.

The next amazing thing was that the great Robert Dunbar was on hand do do the official launch thing. He spoke really well,  and I have to admit that it was very nice listening to him saying such nice things about our books.

The next amazing thing was the support of Paddy (my amazing editor), and the rest of the Puffin/Penguin staff who came along to cheer us on.

But the most amazing thing of all was the amount of loyal fans who came along. I love getting e-mails, and it’s really nice to be in contact with so many readers, but when I get to meet my fans, and put faces to names – well that’s just brilliant. I know how busy everyone is, and a trip into town on a cold (!) May evening isn’t always easy to arrange, so huge thanks to everyone who came. I don’t like to mention names, but I have to comment on the enthusiastic group who came all the way from Laois to see me. And finally special, special thanks to Katie, who came all the way from Galway- it was a great pleasure to meet you.

Huge thanks to David and Sheena and everyone in Easons for a great event.

My good friend, Sarah Webb, came along to lend support.

I can’t believe it’s only two days to the Puffin launch. I haven’t had a book launch since “Almost Perfect.” (It feels like that was only yesterday, but it was actually in 2006! ) All of my Alice books slipped quietly onto the shelves, without fanfares.

The Puffin launch should be fun, as I’ll be sharing it with fellow Puffin authors Laura Jane Cassidy and Mark O’Sullivan.

I’ll be doing a short reading on Wednesday. I always find it hard to select pieces for readings.  If possible, they have to be funny – audiences like to laugh. Also the piece has to make sense if you don”t know the book, and it can’t give too much away. All that’s not easy, so I’ll be spending the rest of the morning reading my own book – weird.

I’d love to meet lots of my fans at the launch, but don’t worry if you can’t make it. (I know lots of people don’t live in Dublin, and even Dublin-dwellers may be busy on the day.)

If you miss it, I’ll post all the important stuff here within a few days.

A reminder of the details:

Eason, O’Connell Street, Dublin.

Wednesday May 25th.

6.30 pm

Great News -The launch of Puffin Ireland is nearly here.

Come along to: Eason, O’Connell St, Dublin

                           at: 6.30, Wednesday May 25th

This is a historic moment. Robert Dunbar will formally launch the first ever Puffin Ireland titles –

Angel Kiss by Laura Jane Cassidy

My Dad is Ten Years Old by Mark O Sullivan

And

The Time Spell by me!

Come along and meet the authors, get your books signed, and generally have a lovely Wednesday evening.

Everyone is very welcome (especially my loyal fans). So please come along – I would love to meet lots of you there.