The Book Show, RTE, December 2018
I was commissioned by the RTE Book Show to write a festive short story - it was a real privilege to write and record The Night Nurse for the Christmas Special, broadcast on December 25th 2018.
Murder One Festival, Nov 2-4 2018
Ever This Day released in paperback, 2018
Cracking Crime at the Dublin Book Festival, November 2017
Press Coverage, Ever This Day, Autumn 2017
Autumn 2017
Ever This Day has certainly been keeping me busy these last few weeks and, while I usually dread the prospect of promoting a book and much prefer to be holed up at my desk scribbling away, it's been lovely to get out and about and meet some people and talk about all the work that's gone into this little book.
First stop was my launch at Eason's, St Stephen's Green - so lovely to clink glasses with friends old and new who came to celebrate with me.
Since then, I've had the pleasure of chatting with Bobby Kerr on Newstalk's Down to Business and Declan Meehan on East Coast FM's The Morning Show and there are more radio interviews lined up for me this month. I've also been busy at the desk with articles in Woman's Way on the dread of your kids being bored, and on the Irish Times online edition asking why people feel the way they do about the genres of Fantasy and Horror.
I've had tons of fantastic feedback from readers so far too. Ever This Day currently holds a 5 star rating on Amazon and readers have been sending me such lovely comments on the Helen Moorhouse Books Facebook page saying that they couldn't put it down. One of my competition winners, Mandy Manning posted; "I meant to msg during the week i started reading ever this day last saturday and all i can is i was finished by sunday night could not put it down poor hubby was blue in the face from bringing me cups of tea amazing read loved it xx"
Julie Golden Gallagher said; " I started and finished it this week and l absolutely loved it as your previous books. Your description is amazing and l loved how each chapter you went back and forth. As usual you scared the life out of me with Frances and only recently l ventured around a derelict convent and then read your book it all seemed so real. Thank you so very much Helen ... l throughly enjoyed Ever This Day"
One of the real joys for me, however, is the fact that people who actually shared the experience that I used as inspiration for the book - five years in boarding school - have been enjoying it too. My lovely friend Marian Naughton said; "loved your latest novel. Read it over 2 days - was glued to it. Recognised many references and images and wondered where fact and fiction mingled/separated. Currently staying in a quaint hostel in a remote part of Mayo. There was no nighttime trips to the loo for me last night- too spooked!!!!"
And my Brat Pack - my closest friends from those five years who I thank in the acknowledgements have had enormous fun on our little WhatsApp group dredging up memories. Can't believe they forgot the badger.
Ever This Day has also been Book of the Week in the Northside and Southside People - it's making me very proud that people are enjoying this story. Sometimes, when you're so close to a book and spend so much time trying to get it right, it's very difficult to think that anyone could possibly enjoy it but once the finished product is out there, doing its thing, you can feel very proud.
Launch of Ever This Day at Eason's, Stephen's Green Shopping Centre, October 2017
Ever This Day - Out Now!
September 2017 - Ever This Day is on the way!
Spring 2017
My fourth novel - provisionally titled 'Ever This Day' is finished, and currently lurking about the behind the scenes getting ready, hopefully, for editing, re-writing, more editing under the watchful and fresh eye of the Poolbeg team and, all going well, it will hopefully hit the shelves this autumn.
I've been doing lots of voiceover work recently too, with lovely new clients like Harvey Norman and East Coast FM; and with long-time favourites such as the team at Mood Media and the crew at Galway Bay FM, which has included lots of lovely projects such as writing and voicing fun Christmas liners, and the more serious task of working on their annual Radiothon to try to raise as much cash as possible to help Galway Hospice and Cancer Care West.
And I'm always available to work on speeches, letters and anything required and have had the pleasure of working quietly with some of my previous clients on new projects in their lives.
And when I'm not lifting a pen or talking into a furry little ball-shaped mic, I'm doing all those other things that mums do - driving, cooking, cleaning up spills, defeating ghastly enemies which include flies and the odd spider, soothing hot little brows and cleaning up stinky little messes, all the while making up stories in my head.
It's been a while...September 2015
It's taken a while to get back into the swing of things, and I'm feeling a little rusty, but my skills have been otherwise in use over the past ten months or so, as I took maternity leave to welcome twin daughters. Before they arrived, however, I was overjoyed to sign another three-book contract with Poolbeg.
As a mum of four - how did that happen! - I'm perhaps not as productive as I'd like to be, but I am back to work, nevertheless and weaving the first few tentative strands of another novel. I'm hoping it will be a productive winter and that 2016 will see another of my stories on the shelves. Huge thanks to Poolbeg, for their patience and all the love and good wishes!
I'm delighted also to be back working with The Armada Hotel in gorgeous Spanish Point, Co. Clare. I had a lot of fun working on some of their website content - especially their fabulous and innovative wedding packages and it's very gratifying to see them win the Website of the Year Award at the 2015 Weddings Online Awards.
As a mum of four - how did that happen! - I'm perhaps not as productive as I'd like to be, but I am back to work, nevertheless and weaving the first few tentative strands of another novel. I'm hoping it will be a productive winter and that 2016 will see another of my stories on the shelves. Huge thanks to Poolbeg, for their patience and all the love and good wishes!
I'm delighted also to be back working with The Armada Hotel in gorgeous Spanish Point, Co. Clare. I had a lot of fun working on some of their website content - especially their fabulous and innovative wedding packages and it's very gratifying to see them win the Website of the Year Award at the 2015 Weddings Online Awards.
Summer 2014
Finally I can reveal the cover for the paperback edition of Sing Me To Sleep which is due for release very shortly. Surely worth popping in your suitcase or on your kindle for a summer read?
All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey - time to get some work done!
We might be enjoying some surprise late sunshine, but the leaves are turning brown all the same and winter's on the way! No better time to snuggle up with a cosy read. Sing Me To Sleep was released on September 1st and it's the perfect read for an autumn evening - a poignant trip through the lives of three women - and the death of one - over a thirty year period from the late 1980's. A very personal book to this author, I hope that my readers enjoy it.
The Dead Summer and The Dark Water are also still available in most good bookshops, and online.
I'm delighted to announce that I have re-signed with Poolbeg Press for another three novels over the coming years, so I'll have lots to keep myself busy and hopefully lots to keep my readers old and new entertained.
As well as being roped into Trick or Treating by my two girls this year, I've been asked to do something for Halloween that I am really looking forward to! Keep an eye on Helen Moorhouse Books Page on Facebook for more details. Spooky!
And sorry to mention it, but no sooner is Back To School finished, than the Christmas rush starts - in radio at least! I'd better stock up on coffee and biscuits because the C word starts here in commercial radio and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in to writing those festive commercials. Sleighbells from September everyone!
I'm also currently working on something new - a brochure for a fabulous Hotel out west which offers wedding packages that are so amazing I'd contemplate doing it all over again! It's with the typesetters at the moment but I can't wait to share here on my website as soon as it's hot off the presses.
The Dead Summer and The Dark Water are also still available in most good bookshops, and online.
I'm delighted to announce that I have re-signed with Poolbeg Press for another three novels over the coming years, so I'll have lots to keep myself busy and hopefully lots to keep my readers old and new entertained.
As well as being roped into Trick or Treating by my two girls this year, I've been asked to do something for Halloween that I am really looking forward to! Keep an eye on Helen Moorhouse Books Page on Facebook for more details. Spooky!
And sorry to mention it, but no sooner is Back To School finished, than the Christmas rush starts - in radio at least! I'd better stock up on coffee and biscuits because the C word starts here in commercial radio and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in to writing those festive commercials. Sleighbells from September everyone!
I'm also currently working on something new - a brochure for a fabulous Hotel out west which offers wedding packages that are so amazing I'd contemplate doing it all over again! It's with the typesetters at the moment but I can't wait to share here on my website as soon as it's hot off the presses.
Summer's Here...
There are rumours of sunshine but I'm always behind the desk currently working on lots of Radio Copy and busy, busy with the summer wedding season for speeches.
Sing Me To Sleep is off to the printers shortly - check back soon for a sneak peek at the cover..
And remember that The Dead Summer and The Dark Water are still available in most good bookshops or online - try www.poolbeg.com
Sing Me To Sleep is off to the printers shortly - check back soon for a sneak peek at the cover..
And remember that The Dead Summer and The Dark Water are still available in most good bookshops or online - try www.poolbeg.com
Top Ten at Tesco!
The Dark Water has reached No. 10 in the Tesco Book Chart within a week of its paperback release! A huge thank you to everyone who's bought a copy!
What? Easter's over already?!
Unbelievably, we are already over the first two major Bank Holidays of 2013 - and STILL in our winter woolies!
There's only one thing to keep doing in these Baltic conditions, however, and that's to keep working!
The end of Easter, of course, means the start of April and the paperback release of The Dark Water pictured below on my desk! I've also finally finished the first draft of Sing Me To Sleep - check out the very first chapter at the back of The Dark Water...
On the speechwriting front, I've been working with some lovely new clients, including Chris and Mary from Green Angel who organised a fantastic fundraiser for Barnardos at the end of March. My speechwriting also featured in an article by Gabrielle Monaghan in the Sunday Times at the end of Feb.
I've been hard at work too on some more vocal matters. Check back soon for a new page featuring information on my voiceover and copywriting work.
There's only one thing to keep doing in these Baltic conditions, however, and that's to keep working!
The end of Easter, of course, means the start of April and the paperback release of The Dark Water pictured below on my desk! I've also finally finished the first draft of Sing Me To Sleep - check out the very first chapter at the back of The Dark Water...
On the speechwriting front, I've been working with some lovely new clients, including Chris and Mary from Green Angel who organised a fantastic fundraiser for Barnardos at the end of March. My speechwriting also featured in an article by Gabrielle Monaghan in the Sunday Times at the end of Feb.
I've been hard at work too on some more vocal matters. Check back soon for a new page featuring information on my voiceover and copywriting work.
Speechwriting update, January 2013
There are some very organised Brides out there and so far this year, I've already had the pleasure of working with two on their speeches for the coming summer.
I was also thrilled to be a small part of Dan and Edwina's wedding which took place on New Year's Eve for which I wrote the groom's speech and a poem called Two Tall Trees to be used on the tables at the reception.
Plus, I'm taking a fascinating trip down memory lane as I work with a client on his speech for his mum's 90th birthday at the end of February
I was also thrilled to be a small part of Dan and Edwina's wedding which took place on New Year's Eve for which I wrote the groom's speech and a poem called Two Tall Trees to be used on the tables at the reception.
Plus, I'm taking a fascinating trip down memory lane as I work with a client on his speech for his mum's 90th birthday at the end of February
2013 - Happy New Year! TV3, Paperback Cover and Double Time on a new book!
I'm starting the New Year bunkered down in my little study working double time to get the first draft of Sing Me To Sleep finished for publication this autumn. Already, however, there's been plenty happening. I've been commenting on some of the issues of the year so far in the Irish Independent - check out my links here
I was delighted to appear on TV3's The Morning Show to help launch Write A Bestseller 2013 with Paula Campbell from Poolbeg and Margaret Scott who publishes her first novel this spring - see the link here or visit the Helen Moorhouse Books Facebook Page.
It also won't be long before The Dark Water is released in paperback version - here's a glimpse of the new cover
I was delighted to appear on TV3's The Morning Show to help launch Write A Bestseller 2013 with Paula Campbell from Poolbeg and Margaret Scott who publishes her first novel this spring - see the link here or visit the Helen Moorhouse Books Facebook Page.
It also won't be long before The Dark Water is released in paperback version - here's a glimpse of the new cover
All I Want For Christmas Photoshoot...November 27th
Here I am, with some of the other All I Want For Christmas writers at Eason, O'Connell Street for our publicity photoshoot.
The book of Short Stories is in aid of Barnardo's and all of us knuckled down to sign some copies - fantastic Christmas pressies for all, folks!
And here's the review of a really great read from the Irish Independent
The book of Short Stories is in aid of Barnardo's and all of us knuckled down to sign some copies - fantastic Christmas pressies for all, folks!
And here's the review of a really great read from the Irish Independent
Hallowe'en Short Story - Exclusive to Woman's Way
Check out Woman's Way dated October 29th for Bess's Things -
"I hate this house...I blame it for the endless snow. I blame it for my unhappiness. This bloody nunnery. All parquet floors and pistachio walls. A former home for girls run by the Sisters of Solace....."
"I hate this house...I blame it for the endless snow. I blame it for my unhappiness. This bloody nunnery. All parquet floors and pistachio walls. A former home for girls run by the Sisters of Solace....."
Bord Gais Energy Book Club, November 2012
The Dark Water is one of the Bord Gais Energy Book Club's Books of the Month for November 2012
Link here
Link here
Signed copies...
From October 19th - signed copies of The Dark Water available at The Pavilions, Swords; Liffey Valley, Dublin Airport, Blanchardstown and Dundrum
October 22nd
As Hallowe'en approaches, I chatted to Daire Nelson on LMFM about all of the spooky things that made The Dark Water and The Dead Summer happen, along with taking the plunge and setting out on the writing tightrope...
October 10th - Radio Kerry
It was a pleasure to chat with Deirdre Walsh from Radio Kerry about my piece in the Irish Independent on the potential loss of Child Benefit and how terrifying a prospect that is for a middle-class stretched to their absolute limits. Read the piece here
Ink Pantry Interview
Here's an interview that I did with the rather brilliant Ink Pantry
Click here for interview with Niamh King...
Click here for interview with Niamh King...
September 26th, Part Two
Of course my signature was scrawled on a few of these too - release date for The Dark Water - on sale from today in all good bookshops and soon on ebook!
September 26th 2012 Part One...
I take a little trip out to the Poolbeg offices in deepest Baldoyle to sign some things - like copies of All I Want For Christmas - this year's charity anthology of short stories by some of Ireland's best loved writers. All royalties will go to Barnardos...
A little dark reading...
Editing is almost complete, all of the marketing is getting into shape, It's official, The Dark Water is coming...
http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/shorten-those-darker-nights-3216873.html
June 28th - Literary Ladies at Waterstone's Drogheda
Lovely evening at the Literary Ladies event in Waterstone's, Drogheda, organised by the brilliant Lisa Redmond. L to R, here's me, Shirley Benton (Can We Start Again due out in a matter of days!) and Michelle Jackson who has recently published her fifth - '4AM in Las Vegas' - Poolbeggars the lot of us. Thanks to everyone who came along, including members of Saltwater Scribblers - the most dedicated of groups! Met some lovely folk, learned some stuff and hopefully didn't talk too much.
Til the next time!
Til the next time!
April 17th 2010 Eason Staff Picks - The Dead Summer
See instore at Easons where The Dead Summer has been selected among the Staff Picks for their new promotions - some amazing titles at 20% off!
April 17th 2010
Some fantastic reviews on www.amazon.co.uk for The Dead Summer here
March 30th....
Lisa Redmond of Waterstone's in Drogheda really knows her books and here she is chatting with Michael Reade on LMFM about spooky things, including a mention for The Dead Summer. Listen here - Like I say, she has great taste!!
Check out Lisa's fantastic blog too here
Check out Lisa's fantastic blog too here
Feb 17th 2012
The Dead Summer finishes the week at Number 10 on the Tesco Book Charts and Number 21 on the ROI fiction charts
Midlands 103 interview, Feb 16th 2012
Tune in between 7pm and 8pm on Thursday, February 16th, to hear me chat with Claire O'Brien, presenter of Arts Show 'Encore' , about The Dead Summer and writing in general
Spring into Irish Fiction at Eason
The Dead Summer a Spring Into New Books title at Eason - 25% off!
The Dead Summer on special offer from Poolbeg Books
Feb 1st 2012...
The Dead Summer released in paperback - available in Eason, Tesco, Hughes & Hughes & all major booksellers in Ireland as well as from Poolbeg Press
