Ten years of BookWeekNI

This week is BookWeekNI's tenth anniversary. There's usually an exciting programme of events and this year it was excellent.

I celebrated by going to a couple of events in our local libraries. On Monday evening in Ballyhackamore library local writers shared poetry, short stories and excerpts from their novels to a packed room. Louise Nealon also read from her new novel to be published next year, which sounds tremendous. Can't wait to get a copy when it comes out next year.

The second event I attended was on Thursday evening in Carrickfergus library. Crime writer Elly Griffiths was in conversation with LibrariesNI blogger and podcaster Jillian.

Elly talked about her writing career, her writing process and inspiration.

Afterwards it was lovely to meet Elly and get a copy of her novel (hastily purchased from The Secret Bookshelf team who were there) signed by her. 

In line with the Sunday Times pledge to read at least ten minutes a day for the next six weeks, I can report I'm loving 'The Frozen People' so much, it's definitely much more than ten minutes every day I've been reading.

Which week is it?

At this time of year, there are always so many bookish events taking place, it's sometimes difficult remembering which week it is. 

Last Saturday was Bookshop Day when we're encouraged to support our local bookshops. I love this illustration by Ashwin Chacko, supporting the event.

I celebrated by popping in to my local bookshop, The Secret Bookshelf, to pick up a few lovely books, including Sheena Wilkinson's new children’s novel, 'True Friends at Fernside', the Faber poetry diary for next year (so gorgeous) and Rebecca Brownlie's 'Abandoned Ireland' book. I'd recently watched a television programme about her work and am fascinated by her photography. I also managed to be one of the lucky customers to receive a goodie bag.

I also received a report on my work in progress from a very special beta reader. More editing required!

Yesterday was the start of Irish Book Week. I celebrated by popping back to The Secret Bookshelf to pick up the book I'd hoped to buy last week, but due to its popularity I had to place an order. It seems a very fitting book to mark Irish Book Week. I'll enjoy dipping in to it over the coming weeks.

Tomorrow is the start of BookWeekNI - a celebration across libraries with lots of interesting author and bookish events taking place. Not sure when I'm going to get time for some writing -  I'm booked up!

Showing Up to Write

With stormy autumn weather and darker evenings well and truly here, it's been good to take shelter and get back to indoor activities, although it's also been good to be outside enjoying the season after the weekend's gales.

At the weekend I was back at Coney with writing friends, catching up on news over coffee and apple and cinnamon muffins. Later we made plans and did a writing exercise composing some fun poems, in recognition of National Poetry Day which had fallen during the week.

Later I managed to get outside for a spot of reading in the garden in the late afternoon sunshine.

Last night we kicked off the winter 'Picture This, Write Now' SCBWI sessions. While I resent the darker evenings drawing in, I took this opportunity to make space for some writing and was pleased that at the end of the session I'd completed the first draft of a new short story.

It will need a bit more work, but it's something to return to and develop, which wouldn't exist if I hadn't shown up to write.