2014 – Susan Lanigan

A Few Lovely Reviews

Posted on December 20, 2014March 25, 2015 by susanlanigan

Just going to pop in to collate some lovely reviews received for White Feathers

First up, here is a beauty from Margaret at the Bleach House Library blog. I’m delighted to get such a great write-up on this site, as she is a very prominent Irish book blogger and will be including White Feathers on her top 10 books for 2014, which makes me feel very proud!

A little quote:

Written in delicate prose, in the style of the period, the first thing that appealed to me when turning the opening pages, was the fluidity of the words. They slipped across the page, like a satin scarf slipping off the back of a chair. Gliding, without any apparent effort, taking the reader along their journey. This elegance didn’t fade once throughout the novel. Each chapter, each character and each sub-story, all had this unique feel. I felt like I was discovering some forgotten antiques at an old house auction, that could now be appreciated by a lover of stories.

(And yes, I am aware of the irony 🙂 )

And

This book has a bit of everything. The most powerful thing it does possess; soul. Good, old-fashioned, soul. Beautifully crafted, immaculately researched and lovingly produced. Place this novel on your best piece of furniture, as it deserves to be displayed prominently, and admired regularly.

Awww, I nearly want to cry!

Lisa Redmond, book blogger and seller at Waterstones Drogheda, also had praise for the book, calling it “a wonderful novel of love, war, family and duty and for me…one of the outstanding debuts of the year.” Shortly afterwards I had a very cheerful morning in Waterstones Drogheda with Lisa at the helm and a pile of books and through blunt persistence managed to get every copy of the book sold. Result 🙂

Then a review from the Connaught Telegraph which I attach as a PDF which was generally very favourable to the book also. Thank you Darina Molloy, for the review. I understand Darina is also a county librarian in Mayo and you always want to get the librarians on side 🙂

ConnaughtTelegraph25Nov2014 copy

Thank for your faith and belief, and hopefully this will encourage people to try a copy of their own!

Bist Du Bei Mir

Posted on December 18, 2014March 25, 2015 by susanlanigan

A lot of my recent posts have been all about the book, the book, the book…I’ve barely had time to stop and reflect. I’ve managed to flee Christmas, a season I’ve never particularly liked, by signing books here, posting advertisements there. I’ve been in full on battle mode. But today is a change of pace, because ten years ago to the day, something very important and significant happened and I’d be remiss not to recall it.

I was working a low-end job, earning little, writing less, adrift. I didn’t understand people. I didn’t understand how to be around them. I thought being myself was insufficient, and people picked up on that sense of insufficiency and drifted off. I had no sense of direction and little purpose. I knew I wanted to write, was told I had talent, but was so easily distracted. I felt as if I occupied space rather than anything more positive. As a person, I was lost and unhappy.

Then, on a rainy night in Galway not unlike this one, waiting for a party somewhere else, I wandered into the pub everyone wanders into and someone was sitting at a table reading a book called Thirty-Three Moments of Happiness and I fell into conversation with them – and just like that, without my knowing it, my life changed forever.

That I found my place in my society, that I stood up and no longer apologised for the space I inhabit, that I was essentially redeemed and loved – able to cash it all and start again – I owe to this fateful meeting and the time afterwards. I will never forget that. So, as a note of joyous gratitude, and a nod to the season that’s in it – and to the oul’ truce – here’s a beautiful song from one of my favourite First World War films, Joyeux Noel. Have a good one, everyone.

Readings in Dubray Rathmines, Whyte’s in Schull

Posted on December 9, 2014March 25, 2015 by susanlanigan

Last week was rather hectic, but in a good way. I was invited to read at the Dubray 20th Anniversary party in their shop in Rathmines, which I had often browsed a decade or more earlier when I lived in the area so I had many happy memories. Dubray MD Maria Dickenson interviewed several authors, including yours truly, and MC’ed proceedings very well. Nibbles were provided, as well as alcohol (always a good idea when you have an [insert collective noun here] of authors 🙂 And look!

isn’t that lovely 🙂
Continue reading “Readings in Dubray Rathmines, Whyte’s in Schull” →

White Feathers Christmas Gift Post

Posted on November 29, 2014March 25, 2015 by susanlanigan

Stuck wondering what to buy your partner, relative, friend or colleague for Christmas? Want to give them a passionate, gripping WWI story that will prove to be a “page-turner” and “beautifully written” with “three-dimensional characters”? Check out these three tweets as an example of feedback received about White Feathers. Or read more reviews here.

This ambitious debut novel lulls you into a false sense of security; it is at first an intriguing love story, but when the horrors of the First World War take hold, lives and relationships are brutally torn apart. A love story, yes, but also a great deal more. – Dubray Books Christmas Catalogue

Below are the many ways in which White Feathers can be given as a gift this Christmas. I would like to add an offer: if you are based in the Dublin area and are able to come to the city centre, I can arrange to meet you and sign your gift for the recipient. To arrange this, please contact me via the contact form on this site providing me with an email address and/or phone number with which I can get in touch. Please note that this is only valid until December 20th.

OK here is the list!

The book is on Dubray Books Christmas Catalogue which can be ordered by emailing the bookshop. Certain books have voucher discounts on them, which can then be offset against the other books on the catalogue.
It’s also on the Easons Christmas Catalogue (not with the cover illustrated!) where you can buy 3 books for 2, handy for Christmas presents!
On the O’Brien Press website, all books are on sale at a 12 per cent discount until Friday December 12th (a great historical trio would team White Feathers up with Anyush and the IMPAC-nominated The Rising of Bella Casey, just a personal opinion! Younger members might like Finding A Voice)
Gift wrapping is of course available when ordering from Amazon UK, but if you are in the US, you also have the option, with the electronic version, to “give as a gift” (not available from the UK or Ireland, which is a pity) so that they can receive the item on their kindle
White Feathers is also being promoted on the Lovereading World War One section, with a prize of a DVD World War One in Colour, narrated by Kenneth Branagh.

So there are all the options. Have a great Christmas if you celebrate!

Dubray Books Rathmines 20th Anniversary Party – Thurs 4 Dec

Posted on November 29, 2014March 25, 2015 by susanlanigan

I’m delighted to announce I will be taking part in this event and reading a brief excerpt from White Feathers. It takes place in Dubray Bookshop in the Swan Centre Rathmines at 6pm until 8pm and refreshments are served. There are some other great authors, such as Joseph O’Connor, author of Star of the Sea, and Ghost Light, The O’Brien Press’s Peter Sirr, and Mary Costello, whose work Academy Street has been recently and deservedly lauded by the Irish Book Awards. Dubray Books are an independent chain who have been very supportive of Irish authors and quality fiction. Come along, you are all very welcome!

I’ll also be down in Cork city and Schull next weekend – for more info, check out my FB page and calendar.

Out and About in Yorkshire!

Posted on November 24, 2014March 25, 2015 by susanlanigan

I was in the north of England last weekend to stay with a friend in York and meet some more friends in Leeds – but of course I could not resist the opportunity to go and make myself known to the lovely booksellers, whom I would like to thank for their charm and kindness at a busy time.

First stop was in Waterstones York, where I went to find the copy there and sign it with a special message. As I did so, I asked the gentleman opposite would he mind taking a picture. Turns out he was only too happy to oblige as he’s a professional photographer! What a piece of luck that was! Martyn Cartledge of aspphotography.net, I apologise for giving you a busman’s holiday and such a rubbish phone to work with! You did good all the same. Continue reading “Out and About in Yorkshire!” →

Quick Post

Posted on November 19, 2014 by susanlanigan

to say that I’ve got a Facebook page now, which contains my calendar of events – handy that!

Follow me here if you like 🙂

Also, thank you everyone who commented or liked my last post “On Restrained and Elegant Prose”. I had wanted to say all that for a long time, but it took a while to get my thoughts together.

Right – back to the work in progress!