The Literary Sofa
Isabel Costello
Guest Author – Amanda Saint on Choices
I have clear memories of meeting today’s guest Amanda Saint for the first time at a book launch several years ago. I remember saying that I liked the title of the novel she was working on, As If I Were A River, and that the premise sounded good. Since then, Amanda and I have kept each … Continue reading
What Elena Ferrante’s writing means to me
After an Easter trip to southern Italy that was directly inspired by Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels (and feeling bereft on finishing the fourth and final one at Christmas), I recently mentioned on Twitter that I was planning a blog post on what this extraordinary author’s writing means to me if I could find the words. And … Continue reading
Writers on Location – Annemarie Neary on Roaringwater Bay, West Cork, Ireland
By coincidence, my Hot Picks 2016 included three Irish writers. If I were to analyse my selections to date, it’s a fair bet that American authors would come out on top but recently I’ve been particularly impressed with the new talent from Ireland’s ever-vibrant literary scene: Louise O’Neill, Rob Doyle, Lisa McInerney (now longlisted for … Continue reading
Writers on Location – Laura Powell on St. Ives, Cornwall
When I started the Literary Sofa I would never have imagined how attached I’d become to the books I feature here; spreading the word, hearing what others think and celebrating their success once they are ‘out there.’ But there’s an unusual backstory to today’s Writers on Location – Laura Powell’s debut novel The Unforgotten is the only title … Continue reading
Book Review – Maestra by L S Hilton
Wondering what to read on holiday? Check out my Summer Reads 2016. This time I didn’t wait for a hundred people to ask if I’d read the latest publishing sensation, Maestra, by L S Hilton. The level of hype surrounding this book, the first in a trilogy, is something I generally find extremely off-putting. Due … Continue reading
Guest Author – Lochlan Bloom on Kickstarting Literary Publishing
Today’s post is a great follow-up to Tom Vowler on crowdfunding his collection Dazzling the Gods. I’m amazed how difficult it is to get any book published but there are certain types of fiction which face additional hurdles due to preconceptions about what readers want. This can lead to questionable assumptions and self-fulfilling prophesies. Is … Continue reading
Guest Author – Tom Vowler on the Short Story
One of the great things about running my own blog – as I have sometimes gently pointed out to those who tell me off for not featuring the ‘right’ books – is that this is the one place I’m not answerable to anyone. The right books for me are those I genuinely rate and believe in, and too often they … Continue reading
Guest Author – Sanjida Kay on Switching Genres
This isn’t the first time Sanjida Kay (AKA Sanjida O’Connell) has stepped in to keep the Literary Sofa warm whilst I’ve been frantically busy with my writing – the final version of Paris Mon Amour is now with the proof-reader! – and once again I am very grateful to her. When Sanjida told me she had switched genres … Continue reading
Writers on Location – Lisa McInerney on Cork City
Following my ‘gratifyingly juicy’ (he said, and it really was) conversation with Rob Doyle last week I’m delighted to welcome Lisa McInerney, another bold and brilliant Irish writer, to the Literary Sofa today. Lisa’s debut novel The Glorious Heresies took the final spot on my Hot Picks 2016 and, as so often the case, I knew … Continue reading
The Deal – Paris Mon Amour, 13 June 2016
As a novelist it’s not surprising that I have a vivid imagination. I also have a handy ability to visualise success even when it is nowhere in sight. So along with the dress I designed years ago in my head for my fantasy book launch, I have often imagined penning this post to share news of … Continue reading
My new novel SCENT – out in paperback on 19 May 2022
The Literary Sofa 