30 - Michael Bourke I opt to meet her in the office, not the house. The church had to be re-opened anyway: outrageously selfish of me to have kept it closed. I also hope to project a more officious nature, surrounded by the trappings of ecclesiastical power. Not to impress the journalist – she … Continue reading From “The Angel of the Streetlamps” by Sean Moncrieff
Why “Betimes”?
People often ask us about the meaning of "betimes" and why "Betimes Books"? So here is the explanation: "Betimes" means "before its time" and, beside the obvious attraction of the word, we love this Hamlet's line: "We defy augury. There’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, ’tis not … Continue reading Why “Betimes”?
COMING TOMORROW: “PRINT THE LEGEND”, THE DEFINITIVE EDITION
"Ernest Hemingway wrote, “All stories, if continued far enough, end in death.” It’s possible Hemingway’s 1961 death by shotgun blast was something other than the suicide history records. My new novel, Print the Legend, explores Hemingway’s demise: one of the most infamous of American authors’ deaths. Given its violent circumstances, it may also be the most unjustly under-investigated." Continue reading … Continue reading COMING TOMORROW: “PRINT THE LEGEND”, THE DEFINITIVE EDITION
Sean Moncrieff interviewed on RTE Radio 1
If you want to learn more about THE ANGEL OF THE STREETLAMPS from the author himself, listen to Seán Moncrieff's interview on RTE Radio 1 after the release of the first edition of his novel: http://www.rte.ie/radio1/arena/programmes/2013/0104/361338-arena-friday-4-january-2013/?clipid=981681 *** “There is mystery, death and love in The Angel of the Streetlamps; there are wolves and there are … Continue reading Sean Moncrieff interviewed on RTE Radio 1
Check out our Pinterest “collection” of angels in street art
We've used a street art image by Eelus for the cover of Sean Moncrieff's novel THE ANGEL OF THE STREETLAMPS and come across more great works featuring angels. Here is a selection, from all over the world: https://www.pinterest.com/betimesbooks/angels-in-street-art/
Reading when I write? by Colin O’Sullivan
"When something of literary merit affects you, then a sliver is naturally going to rub off on your prose." Read the full text here: Reading when I write?
Richard Kalich: How I Write
I don't have a method but... and it’s a big ‘but’... I can speak of a pattern that has repeated itself with all four of my novels. And the same will be true with my next. I see my novels metaphorically. By that I mean an image comes to me... and that image, that poetic metaphoric image, contains all I need … Continue reading Richard Kalich: How I Write
Why do I write? by David Hogan
Why do I write? I write because I am a prisoner. I write because there exists, beyond the walls of my preconceptions and just outside the barriers of my inventiveness, another story. It’s not wholly personal or cultural or factual. It’s not religious or utopian. Nor is it political. It’s all of these things, or … Continue reading Why do I write? by David Hogan
“There’s only that unbidden quest to make a sentence sing…”
Why I Write By Colin O'Sullivan I write because I have to. No message, no voice. I write for it demands me. Because I have no choice. I wake and think of writing, I go to bed the same. All day I think of writing, My antidote, my pain. Nothing matters but the … Continue reading “There’s only that unbidden quest to make a sentence sing…”
A new review of David Hogan’s novel THE LAST ISLAND
****The Last Island Review by Victoria Weisfeld "I can’t remember what circuitous path of weblinks took me to David Hogan’s website, but it looked interesting enough that I ordered his book. Unlike a best-seller or a famous author about whose work the reader starts with a set of assumptions, I knew nada about Hogan … Continue reading A new review of David Hogan’s novel THE LAST ISLAND
St. Patrick’s Day Greetings from Colin O’Sullivan
St. Patrick's Day Greetings.
Anti-Valentine! Excerpt from CHARLIE P by Richard Kalich
From the chapter "The young harpist" At age fifty-seven Charlie P fell in love with a twenty year-old Bulgarian harpist entering Juilliard on scholarship. Besides being young and beautiful, she came from a good family, too. Her mother not only taught ethics at the university, but practiced what she preached. Her father discovered the cure … Continue reading Anti-Valentine! Excerpt from CHARLIE P by Richard Kalich
Willow Weep for Me
"By the time the singer appeared, the house was full. Arlene Gray stepped elegantly on the stage and approached the microphone, one hand moving in time with the music, the other resting against the curve of her hip. There was warm applause. Light-skinned and full-figured, she wore a black, strapless sheath with sequins that sparkled … Continue reading Willow Weep for Me
In love? Read or offer to the Loved One one of these books
Valentine's Day gift ideas for Him or Her: http://viewbook.at/TheLastIsland http://viewBook.at/KillarneyBlues_OSullivan http://getBook.at/ForeversJustPretend http://getBook.at/SILK_Mallon
Colin O’Sullivan’s review of THE NIHILESTHETE by Richard Kalich
Richard Kalich’s interview on Books Go Social
"I’m not completely nihilistic. I believe that as long as we can still ask questions about the meaning of it all, there’s hope for an authentic life." Richard Kalich in conversation with Lucy Sweeny Byrne on Books Go Social http://buff.ly/1Abb7VC
“CENTRAL PARK WEST TRILOGY is not your average novel.”
"...wrought with dark humour and a multitude of literary, philosophical and psychological references. The trilogy is an essential read for anyone who enjoys a challenge: predictable neither in content nor in form, CENTRAL PARK WEST TRILOGY is not your average novel." Full review here: http://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=52129 Richard Kalich's book is on promotion in the UK and … Continue reading “CENTRAL PARK WEST TRILOGY is not your average novel.”
Happy New Year! “The Party” by Richard Kalich
Tired of being a stay-at-home and a couch potato, Charlie P gives a gala New Year’s Eve party which not only he but nobody else attends. Even Charlie P was surprised at the turnout. To be sure, this is the best party he’s never been to. The one he would least have wanted to miss. … Continue reading Happy New Year! “The Party” by Richard Kalich
Today: Donald F. Mayo’s choice
Anyone doubting the enduring power of the social realist novel need look no further than Tom Wolfe's 1987 masterpiece, still as relevant today as it was almost 30 years ago. Set on Wall Street in the midst of the 1980s boom, it charts the downfall of Sherman McCoy, star bond salesman who struggled to make … Continue reading Today: Donald F. Mayo’s choice
Today: Colin O’Sullivan’s choice
“I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound or stab us. If the book we’re reading doesn’t wake us up with a blow to the head, what are we reading for?” Franz Kafka In an alternative translation of the above Kafka quote, “wound” and “stab” are written as “bite” and … Continue reading Today: Colin O’Sullivan’s choice
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