I have long been fascinated by the charismatic artist Francisco de Goya. The seeds of my fascination with this Spanish painter were sown during my studies in History of Art in Trinity College, Dublin. The firework that sent me into orbit to write the novel, The Painter’s Women: Goya in Light and Shade, was a … Continue reading Fionnuala Brennan: Writing about Goya
Excerpt from “The Painter’s Women”
Chapter 3. Leocadia, Bordeaux, 24 April 1828 "So you see, Isabel, it is not true that Francisco enticed me away from Isidoro, or that we were already lovers while Doña Josefa was dying, or that the affair hastened her death. My marriage was over by the time I came to work for Francisco, and his … Continue reading Excerpt from “The Painter’s Women”
Film director Charlie McCarthy launching Fionnuala Brennan’s novel THE PAINTER’S WOMEN
We would like to share Charlie McCarthy’s thoughtful and quirky speech at the launch of The Painter’s Women last night with those who couldn’t attend. Enjoy! "The Painter’s Women is told from six different perspectives so I thought I might say six different things about Fionnuala’s novel and my experience of reading it. (Relax — … Continue reading Film director Charlie McCarthy launching Fionnuala Brennan’s novel THE PAINTER’S WOMEN
Launch of Fionnuala Brennan’s novel “The Painter’s Women” Oct. 27 in Dublin
Interview with Sean Moncrieff
Sean Moncrieff interviewed by Vincent P Bartley of IrishInterest.ie in the Irish Writers' Centre about his novel The Angel of the Streetlamps http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FY9MpR7R7s
Excerpt from THE PAINTER’S WOMEN by Fionnuala Brennan
The Duchess of Alba Journal extract San Lúcar, March 1797 There he is, the arrogant fellow standing in front of me holding his palette like a shield, wielding his brush like a dagger. Totally ignoring my displeasure. Who on earth does he think he is? 'Excellencia, Maria del Pilar Teresa Cayetana de Silva … Continue reading Excerpt from THE PAINTER’S WOMEN by Fionnuala Brennan
If you haven’t read Richard Kalich yet, this should convince you to start
An American Master ***** Richard Kalich is an American novelist who creates brilliant and accomplished works of fiction that deal with themes of cruelty and obsession . Although Kalich’s work is informed by the earlier works of the European avant garde, his exploration of the current era is as American and up-to-date as the latest … Continue reading If you haven’t read Richard Kalich yet, this should convince you to start
“A quixotic endeavour with an unclear goal”. Colin O’Sullivan interviews David Hogan.
Colin O’Sullivan: The Last Island covers important issues like “environmentalism, animal rights, and the costs of capitalism”. What made you want to write about these issues? David Hogan: I believe that these are among the paramount issues of our time, and that our responses to them will shape the future. So it would’ve … Continue reading “A quixotic endeavour with an unclear goal”. Colin O’Sullivan interviews David Hogan.
Summer read: A woman, a dolphin and a marble figurine
Excerpt from David Hogan inspiring novel The Last Island “You’ll be the first person to see this,” she whispered. She grabbed the red towel from the steps and threw it in the water, then pushed me in after it. She began to call Yukon from the steps, whistling and slapping. Shortly after, there was the … Continue reading Summer read: A woman, a dolphin and a marble figurine
Writing, reading, music, and “far-awayness”. David Hogan interviews Colin O’Sullivan
David Hogan: You're in the long tradition of writers leaving Ireland in order to write about it. Is there something unique about the country that pushes you away while at the same time drawing you back? Colin O’Sullivan: The Irish have always been a migrant race as you know, for many reasons too long to … Continue reading Writing, reading, music, and “far-awayness”. David Hogan interviews Colin O’Sullivan
From “The Angel of the Streetlamps” by Sean Moncrieff
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
“Print the Legend” & the dark seduction of the writing life
The following essay by Craig McDonald is a re-presentation of a blog post originally written for Lesa Holstine's sight in March, 2010 upon release of his novel PRINT THE LEGEND in hardcover. The novel is now available for the first time in paperback, as well as eBook and audio formats: http://viewBook.at/Print_the_Legend “Print the Legend” & … Continue reading “Print the Legend” & the dark seduction of the writing life
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.
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