Amy Fitzgerald – Freedom to Fly

 

Amy’s life journey has thus far taken her down many fascinating pathways including completing her degree in Business Studies, appearing on School around the Corner receiving the Children of Courage Award, meeting many famous and interesting people, but none prouder than working on her own collection of poetry and getting them to print.

She lives with a severe disability, in medical terms ‘Congenital Defect’ but in simple terms she was born without legs from below the knee and without hands from below the elbow. Although this has made things more difficult for her growing up and moving through the various stages in her life, it has definitely not proven to be a barrier for her in achieving anything she sets her heart on. Although her educational background is centred around business, her heart and passion lies most certainly in writing poetry.

Growing up, she never really focused on her disability and it never seemed to bother her but when she reached her mid/late teens it started to concern her more and more. She never spoke about and always played the part in all aspects of my life but inside it hurt to see her sisters, brother and friends having opportunities that seemed only dreams to her. She found a huge sense of self-acceptance through her poetry and finds that she can handle her lot in life a bit easier because of the relationship I have with writing.

In her own words, she says that her poetry has “given me a place I can be totally myself and express my emotions, ideas and memories.”

Speaking about her launch, Amy said that it was the “best night of my life ever!”

Having the opportunity to print and bind her poems with selfpublishbooks.ie has been a dream come true for her. She hopes everyone gets something positive from reading her work, because her message is one of optimism, even through the most difficult of times.

Ronnie Kelly – Dad I never knew that

 

Several years ago, Ronnie was repeating an Icebreaker presentation at his local Toastmasters meeting and among the attendance this time was his daughter, Annette. In the course of his speech – a broad review of who he was, where he had come from and how I got there, he referred to a particular event of which Annette had no previous knowledge.

It dawned on Ronnie that his daughters did not know much about his life. After a few conversations, he decided to start writing down his life, and that is how this book emerged.

Ronnie Kelly’s book will make you laugh, touch your heart but most of all it will keep you engaged. Born in October 1934, in Dublin, Ronnie was orphaned at an early age, and enrolled in St. Vincent’s Male Orphanage in Glasnevin, where he received an education in both academia and life that has stood to him to the present day. While life in the orphanage was not easy, the education received from the Irish Christian Brothers and the interests stimulated while in St Vincent’s shaped the man he was to become, sustaining him through the ups and downs of teenage years through love and romance and care-free bike rides around Dublin City and count, to marriage, children and grandchildren, to a variety of jobs, and a move from the comfort of Dublin and family to the unknown county of Cork, where a while new chapter in Ronnie’s life began.

Ronnie was delighted to see the book when he came to selfpublishbooks.ie to collect them. We hope that his memoirs will last for several generations.

The book will be launched on Thursday the 28^th of November at 6.30pm in the Bishopstown library.

Paddy Murray – Relating to Roscomroe

Paddy Murray – Relating to Roscomroe

–          A compliation of historical stories, facts and other matters of interest 1305-1960s.

During the 1940s, Paddy spent his early days at Coopers of Beaugh, Clears House which adjoined Coopers house, was often regarded as his second home where over the years he had breakfast, dinner and tea, with Martin Clear and Billy “Barney” Bergin (nephew) listening to Martins many stories, also stories told to his father, Joe Murray by Bill Pratt, John Mooney, Andy Quinlan, Tom and Geroge Smith.

His house in Gurteen was a rambling house where people would congregate to discuss the news of the day where the Midland tribune was read aloud beneath the flickering light of the oil lamp (no radio, television or phone). Mikie Chester (Clashroe) and Martin Whelan The Grove, Gurteen) seemed the wise men of the bunch. Later in life I got to know Bill and Pakie Guinan (Upper Gureen) Michael Walsh Postman, Brownhills) and Pakie Mulvey (Summerhill) who was a fountain of knowledge.

A brief encounter with Pat Cordial (1891-1969) Kinnitty in 1963 impressed on him the history of Roscomroe.  The book includes plenty of information on the local area and the families that have lived there and it took fifteen years for Paddy to research, write and finish the book. Paddy gives the history of the area from 1305 all the up to 1960.

Paddy wanted to have a traditional cover for the book. Selfpubublishbooks.ie ordered a book block especially for the project and all involved were happy with the result. The book is hardback and all at selfpublishbooks.ie have no doubt that it will be a valuable resource for future readers and historians for generations to come.

 

For more information or to buy a copy, see the books website. http://relatingtoroscomroe.letshostsitebuilder.com/

Lettertec nominated for prestigious printing award

Lettertec Ireland Ltd. have been nominated in the digital print category for the book Rhymes for Remedies which they printed in summer 2013. The Irish Print Awards recognises the best of the country’s print sector and are regarded as the leading independent awards event for the Irish print industry.

Rhymes for Remedies, written by Jackie Griffin Synnott and illustrated by Paul Delaney is a colourful picture book that helps readers reference and remember basic homeopathic children’s remedies.  Paul Delaney wanted the book to “not only be enjoyable as an informative piece of writing, but also enjoyable as a piece of art.”

The book was casebound, using the company’s unique binding methods and printed on high quality paper, ensuring that the illustrations are bright and attractive. To make the book stand out more and to match the colours in the book, red end sheets were used which has received plenty of attention from readers.

Lettertec Ireland Ltd is one of Ireland’s leading design and print specialists. The company was set up in 1983, based in Carrigtohill, Co. Cork and now employs over 20 people. In recent years it has expanded into the printing and binding of books for self-published authors and small to medium sized book publishers. We are the market leader in self-publishing in Ireland.

Speaking about the nomination, Managing Director of Lettertec, Mr Frank Kelly said “it is always an honour to be nominated and to make the finals is even better. We are delighted to have produced the book which showcases our capability and promotes the Print Irish brand.”

The 36^th annual Irish Print Awards will take place on Friday the 29^th of November in the Crowne Plaza Dublin – Northwood.

For information on tickets please contact Denise Maguire on 01-4322238

For more information on the book and Lettertec please contact 021 4883370 or info@lettertec.com

Marie MacSweeney – Letters from a Recalcitrant Woman

 

‘Letters From A Recalcitrant Woman’ by Drogheda based writer, Marie MacSweeney will be launched at High Lanes Gallery, Laurence  Street, Drogheda at 8pm on Thursday, November 28^th.  All are welcome.  It is Marie’s fourth book and is a unique and absorbing collection of letters to Editors and Talk Show Hosts, dating from 1974 to 2013.

A ‘Kerrywoman born in Dublin and living in County Louth’, as she describes herself, Marie has, over a period of forty years, engaged in public debate by means of Letters to the Editor and Emails to current affairs programmes. Here you will find old and new comment on topics as diverse as blasphemy, capital punishment, the Paisleys, peanuts, Bertie’s make-up, the Irish language, divorce, cruelty to animals, Adam and Eve, St. Patrick, Marilyn Monroe and much more. Best known for her short stories and poems, Marie wrote her first letter to the press over four decades ago.  Since then she has written on a variety of topics and taken part in some significant controversies. In reading these letters today it becomes obvious that she always had something specific to say and said it frankly and sincerely.  Hers is a unique voice which both challenges and subverts. It is unlikely that the reader will agree with everything in this book, but will undoubtedly conclude that she argues well, and entertains.

Marie MacSweeney has published ‘Our Ordinary World and Other Stories’ (2004). She also published two collections of poems, ‘Mother Cecily’s Music Room’ (2005) and ‘Flying During the Hours of Darkness’ (2009). Her stories and plays have been transmitted by RTE Radio One, where she also broadcasts occasional talks.

Copies, which cost €12.00, can be posted out to readers. Enquiries please ring 087-2668562

“I congratulate you on producing a fine and valuable social document.” Tom Martin

“There are no clichés and this is her own voice.” Eamon Cooke.

The cover which has received a lot of attention, has a picture by Ciaran Cosgrave.

Delia O’Callaghan on 2fm

Did you hear our author Delia O’Callaghan on the radio last week?

She was interview by 2fm DJ and The Late Late Show host, Ryan Tubridy.

He asked her about her experiences leading up to writing the book and the events that she went through in the book itself. Ryan focused most of his questions on her experiences in a US prison, how she survived it and used it to inspire her.

We at selfpublishbooks.ie all took a break from getting your books ready to listen to her. We are very hopeful that her book sales will grow even more after being on the show.

How I learn by Helen Bullock.

How I learn is a collection that was put together by Cork woman/Limerick resident teacher, Helen Bullock. The cover is illustrated by Thurles woman, Rachael Cooke.

We learn something new everyday, or so the saying goes, but this new collection of personal stories proves that old adage to be true. A broad range of people inside and outside of Ireland have come together to explain what they learn and how they do it, and how we can learn from their experiences.

#HowIlearn is a crowd sourced book featuring work from teachers, pupils and life long learners. #HowIlearn looks at different learning styles and personal experiences.

Contributors include Rick O’Shea from 2fm, Catherine Cronin, lecturer in NUIG, Pam O’Brien and Bernard Goldbach lecturers in LIT Thurles and regular users of ICT and technology in learning and many more.

Proceeds from How I learn will be donated to Barnardos, a charity which all contributors felt would benefit hugely from this project. Barnardos helps and supports children and families who are most at risk. Barnardos focuses on the increased emotional well-being of the child and family as well as improving learning and development. How I learn felt that Bernardos was the ideal fit and are delighted to be able to support them in all the work that they do.

“We all learn differently and the work Helen Bullock has done in How I learn brings that to the forefront of education, How I learn is a vital reminder to educators, parents and learners alike, to find their unique learning style and embrace it.” Ciaran Cannot TD, Minister of State, Department of Education and Skills.

“How I learn is one of those brilliant and passionately put together ideas that should be recommended to everyone” Rick O’Shea, presenter 2fm.

“I think How I learn is a great initiative – showing that, with regard to education, one size does not fit all.” Hazel Larkin, Dublin, Mother of two.

“Teachers can forget their students might learn differently to themselves. This book is a collection of the varied learning styles that might surface in a classroom, and which need to be met.” Caroline Carswell of Irish Deaf Kids.

Contact: hb.bullock@gmail.com

Twitter: HowIlearn

Website: http://www.anseo-a-mhuinteoir.com