Offaly writers in running for prestigious independent author awards
Rahan and Birr natives lined up at Carousel Award Prize ceremony
TWO Offaly writers are in the running for awards at the Carousel Aware Prize (CAP) for Independently Published Authors which will be announced at Chapters, Parnell Street, Dublin tomorrow (Friday, November 1, 6.30pm).
Mary Minnock, a native of Rahan who lives in Dublin, is nominated for her novel Homesick, while Birr woman Dearbhaile O'Hare, who also lives in the capital, is long listed for her work of non-fiction, Things Went T*ts Up.
CAP is for Ireland’s top independent talent, founded by Carolann Copland and its patron is the 2024 Booker Prize Winner, Paul Lynch.
CAP is the only book competition specifically for indie authors in Ireland and along with the Fiction and Non-Fiction categories, there are Children's Senior, Children’s Junior and Anthologies categories.
It also provides sponsored opportunities for low-income writers, promoting inclusivity and CAP supports self-published authors by connecting them to bookstores, distributors, and media, while raising awareness for the mental health charity Aware.
Mary Minnock's Homesick tells the story of 40-year-old Christina who is living and working in Dublin and returns to her home town in the west of Ireland after her mother takes ill.
She is forced to confront demons from her childhood as well as face up to some family dilemmas which she has been avoiding in Dublin.
Speaking at the launch of the book in Tullamore, local Midland Books owner John Ryan said he found the novel gripping from start to finish and full of relatable characters and scenarios. He said it was a pleasure to read and continued at a good pace.
Both were affected by breast cancer and the book features reflections on the devastating journey of a cancer diagnosis, from treatment and recovery to rising and thriving.
All profits from sales of the book go to support The Marie Keating Foundation and Purple House Cancer Support.