Greetings & how are you all?
Can you believe October is nearly over? Isn't the time flying suddenly?
The most fantastic thing has happened to me! My latest novel The Pink Ladies Club has been shortlisted for a book award. Each year Bord Gais host the Irish book awards. This year I've made my way onto the shortlist for the Eason Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year.
The nomination announcement was held in the RDS in Dublin last Thursday. I had the honour of meeting lots of other authors, putting faces to many books. I was thrilled and delighted to meet Patricia Scanlan for the first time. I've read her books all my adult life and couldn't believe my luck at being in the same space as her. I have to say she's one of the warmest and most instantaneously likable people I've ever met.
I spent the morning prior to the announcement with my lovely friend Rachel Allen which was a rare treat. We've been friends for twenty years and even when we haven't seen each other for a while we always click straight into putting the world to rights. God I feel so old saying we've been friends for twenty years. I remember as a child finding it unfathomable that my parents had friends for fifteen, twenty or even thirty years - now I'm at the same thing. Is it just me or do we all still think we're twenty?
Back to the shortlist announcement - I found the entire proceedings quite surreal. I actually can't believe I've been shortlisted along side some of the most loved Irish authors. It's a definite pinch me quick situation!
So here's where the begging comes in! My category is really really tough. I'm up against some of Irelands finest writers and believe me I need all the help I can muster! The winner is decided by public vote eek! So if you have a moment please please please please (enough begging yet? I'm also on my knees if that helps?) click on this link http://www.irishbookawards.ie/PublicVote.aspx
scroll down to Easons Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year and vote for me. It only takes a minute and you'll be entered into a draw to win book vouchers. So you might even get a prize on the way!
While you're at it vote for my lovely friend Rachel Allen. Also my pal Catherine Fulvio is in there and you all want to vote for her too. Of course you do. It only takes a little click and you can see it as your good deed for the day. I don't mind if you feel like telling everyone you've ever met to vote as well. Honestly it's fine to do that.
I was down in Bridgestreet Books in Wicklow town last Saturday with Hilary and Joanna who are in the running for bookshop of the year! If you live in the Wicklow area I've no doubt you already know this shop. If you've never been in - go. They have a children's section which is second to none. Hilary and Joanna are passionate about books and are always ready to recommend a great book. These ladies welcome each and every person who comes through their door and are always eager to chat and engage. I hope they win the award on the night, they really deserve it.
The winners will be announced at a black tie dinner next month. This fills me with joy on every level - firstly it's an amazing honour to be invited. Secondly it's a night out rubbing shoulders with Irish stars and thirdly it's a very valid excuse to go shopping. A new dress will be vital. Then I'll need shoes to match. The shoes will need a handbag. Then I'd imagine none of the lipsticks or nail polishes I own will 'go'... Jaysus, the pressure!
If the award shortlisting wasn't enough I've been asked to become an ambassador for Bray, my home town. I'm so proud to be from Bray, I've lived here all my life and am now raising my own family here. So to be asked to represent my town along with some others, is a wonderful privilege. There will be a ceremony to mark this occasion next month - oh holy cow - more shopping!
I'd better go and do a bit of writing so I can earn some money to support all this vital purchasing.
Hope you're all getting geared up for Halloween. The kids are all set with out fits and are insisting Cian and I dress up too. I could quite easily go out with no make up on and simply be a corpse. The chemotherapy glow is in full swing - as in I'm almost the same shade as Shrek naturally. Incidentally I hope to finish treatment next week. So all going well fingers and toes crossed my last one will be next Tuesday! I'm scared of jinxing myself and ending up needing more - so don't tell anyone!! My hair has held out pretty well and although it's thinned massively I still have enough to get by. I went on a bit of a bender in Hair Spray (the fake hair place) again - I've now got 3 lengths of clip in pony tail and underneath extensions. They're like magic and so easy to use. So if you suffer with thin hair for any reason these things are for you. I'm awful at styling hair at the best of times and these gems just do all the work for you.
Enjoy Halloween don't forget to have lots of treats in stock for little people coming to the door. Keep your furry pets inside. Our baby kitten Spike is now Mr Teen-puss. He doesn't speak in a squeaky voice and tell us his life is crap, but he has those gangly legs that are a touch too long for the rest of his body and he's calming down a little. It's now possible to walk across a room in socks and not have your toes attacked. He is still acting like Cato in The Pink Panther with Tom our older cat. Tom could be curled in a ball snoozing and Spike will leap from ten feet and land on him in a heart-stopping ambush! Hilarious to watch and the tumbling stripes and furry wrestling that follows makes us all smile every time.
Bye for now and don't forget if you're near a computer or smart phone I'd so appreciate your vote.
http://www.irishbookawards.ie/PublicVote.aspx
Can you believe October is nearly over? Isn't the time flying suddenly?
The most fantastic thing has happened to me! My latest novel The Pink Ladies Club has been shortlisted for a book award. Each year Bord Gais host the Irish book awards. This year I've made my way onto the shortlist for the Eason Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year.
The nomination announcement was held in the RDS in Dublin last Thursday. I had the honour of meeting lots of other authors, putting faces to many books. I was thrilled and delighted to meet Patricia Scanlan for the first time. I've read her books all my adult life and couldn't believe my luck at being in the same space as her. I have to say she's one of the warmest and most instantaneously likable people I've ever met.
I spent the morning prior to the announcement with my lovely friend Rachel Allen which was a rare treat. We've been friends for twenty years and even when we haven't seen each other for a while we always click straight into putting the world to rights. God I feel so old saying we've been friends for twenty years. I remember as a child finding it unfathomable that my parents had friends for fifteen, twenty or even thirty years - now I'm at the same thing. Is it just me or do we all still think we're twenty?
Back to the shortlist announcement - I found the entire proceedings quite surreal. I actually can't believe I've been shortlisted along side some of the most loved Irish authors. It's a definite pinch me quick situation!
So here's where the begging comes in! My category is really really tough. I'm up against some of Irelands finest writers and believe me I need all the help I can muster! The winner is decided by public vote eek! So if you have a moment please please please please (enough begging yet? I'm also on my knees if that helps?) click on this link http://www.irishbookawards.ie/PublicVote.aspx
scroll down to Easons Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year and vote for me. It only takes a minute and you'll be entered into a draw to win book vouchers. So you might even get a prize on the way!
While you're at it vote for my lovely friend Rachel Allen. Also my pal Catherine Fulvio is in there and you all want to vote for her too. Of course you do. It only takes a little click and you can see it as your good deed for the day. I don't mind if you feel like telling everyone you've ever met to vote as well. Honestly it's fine to do that.
I was down in Bridgestreet Books in Wicklow town last Saturday with Hilary and Joanna who are in the running for bookshop of the year! If you live in the Wicklow area I've no doubt you already know this shop. If you've never been in - go. They have a children's section which is second to none. Hilary and Joanna are passionate about books and are always ready to recommend a great book. These ladies welcome each and every person who comes through their door and are always eager to chat and engage. I hope they win the award on the night, they really deserve it.
The winners will be announced at a black tie dinner next month. This fills me with joy on every level - firstly it's an amazing honour to be invited. Secondly it's a night out rubbing shoulders with Irish stars and thirdly it's a very valid excuse to go shopping. A new dress will be vital. Then I'll need shoes to match. The shoes will need a handbag. Then I'd imagine none of the lipsticks or nail polishes I own will 'go'... Jaysus, the pressure!
If the award shortlisting wasn't enough I've been asked to become an ambassador for Bray, my home town. I'm so proud to be from Bray, I've lived here all my life and am now raising my own family here. So to be asked to represent my town along with some others, is a wonderful privilege. There will be a ceremony to mark this occasion next month - oh holy cow - more shopping!
I'd better go and do a bit of writing so I can earn some money to support all this vital purchasing.
Hope you're all getting geared up for Halloween. The kids are all set with out fits and are insisting Cian and I dress up too. I could quite easily go out with no make up on and simply be a corpse. The chemotherapy glow is in full swing - as in I'm almost the same shade as Shrek naturally. Incidentally I hope to finish treatment next week. So all going well fingers and toes crossed my last one will be next Tuesday! I'm scared of jinxing myself and ending up needing more - so don't tell anyone!! My hair has held out pretty well and although it's thinned massively I still have enough to get by. I went on a bit of a bender in Hair Spray (the fake hair place) again - I've now got 3 lengths of clip in pony tail and underneath extensions. They're like magic and so easy to use. So if you suffer with thin hair for any reason these things are for you. I'm awful at styling hair at the best of times and these gems just do all the work for you.
Enjoy Halloween don't forget to have lots of treats in stock for little people coming to the door. Keep your furry pets inside. Our baby kitten Spike is now Mr Teen-puss. He doesn't speak in a squeaky voice and tell us his life is crap, but he has those gangly legs that are a touch too long for the rest of his body and he's calming down a little. It's now possible to walk across a room in socks and not have your toes attacked. He is still acting like Cato in The Pink Panther with Tom our older cat. Tom could be curled in a ball snoozing and Spike will leap from ten feet and land on him in a heart-stopping ambush! Hilarious to watch and the tumbling stripes and furry wrestling that follows makes us all smile every time.
Bye for now and don't forget if you're near a computer or smart phone I'd so appreciate your vote.
http://www.irishbookawards.ie/PublicVote.aspx
I know it's probably really uncool to beg, but I'm a newbie at this award nomination lark and stupidly excited about being shortlisted. Perhaps in ten years time I'll think it's all run of the mill, but right now I'm blown away by it all! It's a massive achievement personally and proves a point that I know I always bang on about. Sometimes life hands us the shitty end of the stick but there is always positivity waiting in the wings. Here's one of those truly positive happenings. Even if I don't win, being recognised for the book I wrote fills me with pride. There is always light at the end of the tunnel as far as I'm concerned. My chemotherapy is almost over, work is going really well, my hubby and kids are all flying, the cats are beginning to like each other. What more could a girl want? I'm off for a cup of coffee and a bit of chocolate. If I get any happier today I could become a danger to myself!
Have a great day where ever you may be. Spread the smiles, even wave at people as you drive by today. At worst you'll be arrested for being unhinged and at best you might get a smile or a wave back!
Go forth and grin people!
Love
Emma
p.s. don't forget to vote!! OK I'll stop now... Not cool Emma... Over enthusiastic newbie-itus is just
Have a great day where ever you may be. Spread the smiles, even wave at people as you drive by today. At worst you'll be arrested for being unhinged and at best you might get a smile or a wave back!
Go forth and grin people!
Love
Emma
p.s. don't forget to vote!! OK I'll stop now... Not cool Emma... Over enthusiastic newbie-itus is just
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