We're back for one last hurrah. A long rambling conversation about YA, bookshops and the books we're currently reading.  Thanks for the listens. Announcements: The Dublin Writers Conference (21-23 June) have a special offer for listeners - pay for the Saturday and get one of the other days for free. WorldCon is happening in Dublin from 15-19th August.  Máire's book is still available in paperback and ebook. We won't be podcasting but we're not gone too far. Maire and Cathy are both on twitter.    

Irish Writers Podcast

55. The last one

This week Máire talks to author of historical fiction Catherine Kullmann. Catherine talks about why she's drawn to the regency period she writes about and how its still relevant to today, and gives some great advice to other writers. You can find more information about Catherine on her website CatherineKullmann.com and you buy her books on amazon. You can find out more info about our podcast on Irishwriterspodcast.com and we're on twitter and facebook. Máire is also trying to get people to buy her fantasy novella! You can get it here.   Remember to rate and review on itunes, or wherever you get your podcasts.   This episode was presented and produced by Máire Brophy    

54. Interview with Catherine Kullmann

Máire met with fellow fantasy author JM Coombs for a chat in the rare Dublin sunshine to talk fantasy, fan fiction and writing full time. James' book Richard Struggle: Evacuate the Masquerade is out now. And you can find more updates on his writing on his website JMCoombs.com. The launch event for Máíre's book After the World is in Dublin on 1st August, and you can get tickets here.   

53. Interview with JM Coombs

Máire caught up with writers Ann Richardson and Jacky Dahlhaus when they were in Dublin for the Dublin Writers Conference. Ann talks about her non-fiction writing and Jacky talks about her vampire trilogy. Máire's book is available to buy and if you're in Dublin on 1 August you can sign up to her launch event.

52. Interviews with Ann Richardson and Jacky Dahlhaus

Cathy & Máire chat (with baby Willow) chat about the Dublin Writers Conference. They talk through the experience of the conference and the topics that came up there. Some relevant links: David Gaughran is a digital marketing guru. And though Máire couldn't remember the name, it was Amy Collins at New Shelves that gave amazing advice on Amazon profiles. You might also be interest in the Society of Authors, the London Writers Club and the Irish Writers Union. The Dublin Writers Conference have already set dates for 2019 - so you might want to keep the time free. We also announce the date and venue for Máire's Book launch event on 1st August. You can sign up for tickets here.  Remember to rate and review podcasts and books!                

51.News from the Dublin Writers Conference and news of book launch event

With Máire's fantasy novella After the World being published today, Kate and Máire sit down to a proper chat about it. Máire talks through her influences in writing this book, where the original idea came from, and how other books and authors have shaped her thinking on fantasy storytelling. Kate reads an exerpt from After the World, and they both plan for the day when they can film Kate acting it out! You can buy After the World from today.    Presented and produced by Kate Mulholland and Máire Brophy.  

50. Spotlight on After the World

Kate and Máire sat down to talk about their latest updates. Kate talks about her new book and Máire talks about the preparation (or lack thereof) in the run up to having a book come out. Máire talks to Laurence O'Bryan about the Dublin Writers Conference https://thedublinwritersconference.com/ and their event this June.  Kate and Máire talk fantasy fiction book covers and the recent Terry Goodkind statement about his recent book cover. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/feb/26/terry-goodkind-book-cover-shroud-of-eternity We're also collecting our favourite terrible book covers, so send us yours to irishwriterspodcast@gmail.com This episode was presented by Kate Mulholland and Máire Brophy, and produced by Máire Brophy      

49. updates, book covers and the Dublin Writers Conference

For the second time we take our podcast out of the urban setting and take inspiration from the rural idyll. In this case the rural idyll was extremely cold, so it wore its hoody indoors the whole time. This is mostly an update of where we're at. Kate embarks on her new book, Cathy reflects on her process and Máire talks through what it's like to go through edits with a publisher.   Presented by Cathy Clarke, Kate Mulholland and Máire Brophy. Produced by Máire Brophy Music (as usual) by Gavin Mulhall  

48. The Second Semi-Annual Writers Retreat

This week join us around the table as we talk about the challenge of writing moral characters.No one seems to like the goody-goody who always does the right thing and everything in life seems to work out for him. So how do you write a likable moral character? Is it possible?  The verdict seems to be split on this one! Hope you enjoy! Presented by Kate Mulholland, Cathy Clarke and Máire Brophy. This episode was produced by Kate Mulholland.

47. Everybody Loves Samwise Gamgee

This week we consider the emerging sub-genre of speculative fiction, Climate Fiction. This genre explores how characters feel and react to their changed world. We speculate about authors and films we've read and watched to see if they qualify as Climate Fiction. Be warned. Sharks are discussed in this episode!  Enjoy!   Presented by Kate Mulholland, Cathy Clarke and Máire Brophy. This episode was produced by Kate Mulholland.

46. Climate Fiction, 'Hot' New Genre

Please rate and review on itunes This week Máire raises the issue of making your author page and how to write a good bio for early stage authors. You can see Cathy's author page at cathycclarke.com and Máire's at mairebrophy.com, Kate plans to do hers in space. We're talking websites, bios and author pictures, and talking about yourself in the third person... I mean herself... themselves.   Presented by Cathy Clarke, Kate Mulholland and Máire Brophy. Produced by Máire Brophy

45. Writing your author bio... in space

This week Máire talks about the opportunities for writers in the D&D world - that's the Role Playing Game Dungeons and Dragons - looking at the model of the DM's Guild for selling player written games using the D&D rules. Cathy brings up a thorny issue, how do writers find ways of getting good advice and specific insight into improving their writing. We discuss the role of classes, editors, mentors, publishers and..eh... masterchef. We talk about the art and craft of it all, and give a sneak peek into an alternate world where we do a podcast while running. Presented by Kate Mulholland, Cathy Clarke and Maire Brophy. This episode was produced by Máire Brophy  

44. Dungeons and Dragons and Advice

This week we have author Sinead Hamill, author of 'Scumbags and Handbags', 'Smiling Vendetta' and the soon to be published 'Dippers'. Sinead talks about her decision to self-publish, where her inspiration comes from and the drive she has to write (and of course have the craic). We talk life, death and ditties! Sinead's book Dippers is available now.   This episode was presented and produced by Máire Brophy 

43. Interview with Sinead Hamill

We've been apart for awhile so now we have a lot to say. In this episode Kate tells us about finishing her epic book, Cathy talks about her latest editing and writing group activities and Máire brings us some significant news. We also talk about the difficulty in switching between writing novels and screenplays, and what we should do with advice and opinions on our writing.   Episode presented by Cathy Clarke, Kate Mulholland and Máire Brophy, produced by Máire Brophy. Music by Gavin Mulhall.  

42. It's been too long

Two roads diverged in a wood. Kate was on the one that was going somewhere, Maire was not! We're passed the half way point in this recording for NaNoWriMo, and we're quite far apart from each other. Kate is ploughing ahead and Maire realises she has been intensely writing very boring things.    Presented by Kate Mulholland and Maire Brophy. Produced by Maire Brophy. 

41. NaNoWriMo past the half way point

Behind the scenes of three writers becoming authors