Looking back over my shoulder 2017

Kanturk Arts Festival. 

Another year is drawing to a close and I wonder was it worth it all in my writing life as I sit and think about the edits of my sequel that await me. 

Well, the answer is yes, it sure was. In fact I intend to celebrate. Some of the events attended during the year have been shared on here in earlier posts. 

My debut novel, My Husband’s Sin, is continuing to do well and as asked for by my readers, I've completed a sequel, Don’t Call Me Mum. I signed the contract for the second novel, in September of this year with Tirgearr Publishing and I'm looking forward to its launch in late spring of 2018. 

The Holly Bough

Earlier this year, I was long-listed in the prestigious literary, Fish Short Story Competition for my story, titled, Knickers, and was also honoured for another story, The Handbag, to be translated and published into German, for the anthology, Kleinkrieg und Frieden. Through the year my memory articles appeared in the Ireland’s Own and also a Christmas story was published in The Holly Bough. 

Working on Flash Fiction in Cloghroe.

I also got to read my work at both, The West Cork Literary Festival in Bantry and also at the Cork County Library. Both initiatives were through the Cork County Library & Arts Services, led by well-known author Denyse Woods. 

I was invited to judge the inaugural Flash Fiction Competition in the Kanturk Arts Festival in March, which I thoroughly enjoyed. 

Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park.

Throughout the year I attended various events. One was a wonderful evening in Farmleigh House, in Dublin, where I was gifted the tickets to attend, a programme of reading and music that invoved writers, Nuala O'Connor and John Boyne. 

But it is you my dear readers who make it all the more wonderful through your continued support and encouragement, for this I thank you all so very much.  

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A HEALTHY, HAPPY NEW YEAR