Doire Press

Aleppo in Poems & Pictures at the Mary Evans Picture Library

Karen J McDonnell

This week one of ‘the childer’ got to show off with a photo from the Mary Evans Picture Library in London.

To be a part of their Poems and Pictures blog was on my bucket list, and I was so chuffed to receive an invitation to contribute a poem.

I nearly didn’t get it, however. Gill Stoker from the Mary Evans Library had contacted me via Facebook Messenger – and the message went into a Messenger black hole. I found it, and a few others, nearly six months later! (This is yet another reason why I hate Messenger and won’t have it on my phone.)

I contacted Gill, who was still happy for me to choose a picture from their collection and send her a poem to go with it. I spent ages looking at illustrations and photos, eventually choosing a photo of a mosque in Aleppo. I teamed it with ‘The Elsewhere Moment’ from This Little World (Doire Press).

I’ll write a brand new poem the next time. Now, here is this week’s Poem & Picture:

https://www.maryevans.com/poetryblog.php?post_id=10952

#WorldPoetryDay

Karen J McDonnell

It’s World Poetry Day!

Here’s an offering from my poetry collection, This Little World (Doire Press)                                The path of poetry doesn’t always run smooth!

Birthing

Not away on a mystery

train. First class. Fine

coffee, and a book

in my hand.

 

No. Stuck.

Here with a

weighting inside me

cutting off the flow.

 

Birthing.

 

Not always joyful.

Forceping dactyls.

Similes I’ll never like.

Elusive adjectives.

 

Stillborn. Or an awkward

child, mutinous in the face

of inadequacy.

And, all the overcompensation.

© Karen J McDonnell

The Western Skyline Podcast – 21 April 2018

Karen J McDonnell

PLAYING TRACKS BY

Talking Heads, Big Country, Stevie Nicks, Don Henley,Blur, Howard Jones, Dire Straits, Billy Joel, Stockton’s Wing.

 

On The Western Skyline: a look at some of the coming events at the Cúirt literary festival in Galway. Gigs in Gort, Galway and Kilfenora. More news from the ‘Bosom Pals’ fundraising publication for www.breastcancerresearch.ie– an exhibition of Ruth Cadden’s illustrations for the book (see the image with this podcast c. Ruth Cadden).
Also, birthdays. And a haiku to mark Poetry Day Ireland on Thursday 26th April.
Enjoy!

 

Poetry Month: keeping on keeping on

Karen J McDonnell

There’s quite a post waiting to be written about ‘The Year of the Book’.

This time last year, I had just submitted the final MS of This Little World to Doire Press, and was waiting for the first editor/writer discussion. It was an exciting time, and everything was so new. Well, it was my first book, after all!

And the new experiences continue … 

The new year was barely a week old when I received some invitations to take part in readings during the year ahead. In a way, it’s hard to believe that it’s April already.

This week I got news that I’ve been awarded a writer’s residency, I was invited to participate in the Wild Voices Writers Salon readings at Listowel Writers Week, and I was invited to be a part of the special Take Heart edition of spontaneity.com The edition links up with the Take Heart Pop Up Exhibition which takes place in Dublin on 10 May. More details of that here.  Images and signed books will be auctioned, with all proceeds going to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. Congrats to Ruth, Angela, and all the organisers of this great event.

For such good news, my thanks go to Co. Offaly Arts Office, Annemarie Ní Churreáin, and Ruth McKee.

Finally – It’s Poetry Month! April 26th is Ireland’s Poetry Day.

On Thursday the 26th, at 4 pm, in Ennis Educational Centre we will announce the winners of the Every Child A Poet Competition – organised and judged by the Poetry Collective. I helped draw up the shortlist, so I’m looking forward to hearing the children read their work. We had an increase in entries from last year. It’s fantastic that the kids engage with poetry, and to see the support that’s given to the competition by their teachers and parents.

Before all that fun, I’ll be reading at the DeValera Library with other members of the Poetry Collective at 11 am. The theme this year is Poetry Without Borders: we will read poems by non-Irish poets, and works we’ve written about places & people encountered abroad.  The lovely people in the Library will supply morning coffee/tea, and everyone is welcome. What we REALLY would like is if you would also bring along a favourite poem to read.

Poets and librarians don’t bite – generally! You would be so welcome.

#Poetry AND #Chocolate for Easter!

Karen J McDonnell

Loveens! Are you well?

And poetry lovers – did you have a nice World Poetry Day?

I’ve just been updating d’aul Writer’s CV. It never ends, the administration!

This time last year, I was working like mad on the final drafts of This Little World. It’s hard to believe that a year has gone by. And what a wonderful, creative, engaging year it has been!        I’ll write a bit more about that soon.

Sold another book today – always a nice event. There are just ten books remaining here in my literary HQ.  Doire Press have a couple, and there are also copies at the Ennis Bookshop.    Easter is coming up. What could be better than chocolate for Easter?   Poetry AND chocolate! Jus’ sayin’.

So, I’m still scribbling away.  I’ve put up a few reading events on the website; if you can get to any of them, it would be lovely to see you. I’m reading with the Poetry Collective at the DeValera Library in Ennis, next Thursday.  (The Library’s hosting lunchtime readings once a month.)

So, if you’re in Ennis doing the shopping, or just want a break from the office, why not come along and hear a variety of work at 1.00pm on 29 March.

If we don’t see you there – Happy Easter.

Remember … Poetry & Chocolate, Chocolate & Poetry!

‘This Little World’ – Made by the Blarney Chocolate Factory, Blarney, Co. Cork.

 

The Western Skyline Podcast – 04 November 2017

Karen J McDonnell

 

The Western Skyline was delighted to host two poets who have contributed to ‘Bosom Pals’ a new poetry collection by eight women who share their experience of breast cancer. ALL proceeds from the book go to Breast Cancer Research Ireland – a national organisation based in Galway. With a foreward by Prof. Michael Kerin and introduction by Áine Lawlor, this is a book to dip into alone, or to share with friends. You can buy it via breastcancerresearch.ie or at Charlie Byrnes in Galway. Kudos to editor Marie Cadden for making it all happen.
Music today from fab female singers: Sheryl Crow, Anastacia, Kylie, Marianne Faithful, & Carly Simon. The common thread? They have all survived breast cancer.
Enjoy the show!
And think about buying the book – it would make a great gift as we head towards Christmas.
Here are some links about the book:
Here is a link to the podcast of the show:

Clifden Arts Festival – let’s be havin’ ya!

Karen J McDonnell
Photo © Clifden Arts Festival

 

The B&B has been organised, the snacks are being stockpiled, and the reading list is nearly complete!         CLIFDEN – Let’s be havin’ Ya!

On Wednesday 13 September 2017  I’ll be taking part in the Doire Press Readings – with writer Martin Malone   [click here for full details]

Venue: Clifden Library             Time: 4.00pm

I’ll be reading poems from This Little World  (Doire Press, 2017), and Martin will be reading fiction – I think!

If I’m lucky, I might get to meet Michael D. as he’s opening the Festival later in the evening. (We’re fierce casual with our President in this country!)

If you know anyone in Connemara who would like to come along … please pass along the details. Hell, come along and bring the clan with ya!

Major thanks to Brendan Flynn, and all the team, for the invitation. My first Clifden Arts Festival – and I get to read at it.

I’m a lucky woman.

https://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/94891/michael-longley-to-read-at-clifden-arts-festival

 

If it’s another Wednesday, it must be Bantry

Karen J McDonnell
West Cork Sunset
©Karen J McDonnell

I’ll be hoping for evenings like this next week when I head to Bantry – the lovely town situated between the Beara and Sheeps Head peninsulas.

I’ve been to the West Cork Literary Festival several times as part of the audience. This time – HUZZAH!! – I’m going as one of their featured writers. 

WCLF brochure. Artwork by William Crozier

I can’t wait to be there. WCLF is one of those events that has everything: a great line-up, a wonderful bunch of volunteers, a superb location, and a fantastic hinterland to explore when you get a bit of time off. If the weather is good – well, that’s a bonus.

I will be chatting to Eibhear Walshe, and reading from This Little World, at 11.30am in the Bantry Bookshop next Wednesday, 19 July. Thanks to Margaret and her staff for having us. If any of you are down for the Festival – please come, and say Hello!

This gets to be a bit of a working holiday for me. I’m taking an extra night off so that I can take in as much of the other writers’ events as possible. Lucky me.

We’re due a write-up about the whole book thing. Life in the book lane has been pretty fast and furious this past month. And, real life has also got in the way – as it does. I think time to regroup is in order; then I promise a ‘daycent’ sit-down-with-a-cuppa post over on the Writer’s Blog.

In the meantime – enjoy the summer, my lovelies. And if you want to purchase This Little World, please visit www.doirepress.com where Lisa & John will be only too happy to sell you a copy!

Cover for This Little World
© Karen J McDonnell & Doire Press

‘This Little World’ – Freebie!!

Karen J McDonnell

 

Cover for This Little World
© Karen J McDonnell & Doire Press

This Midsummer’s Eve, I’m celebrating the launch of my poetry collection, ‘This Little World’  – published by Doire Press.

You can buy the book at Charlie Byrne’s and Kenny’s bookshops in Galway, or online from http://www.doirepress.com

Just comment below and I’ll pull two names out of the hat on July 1st.

One of you will get a copy of the book, the other will get this (very) limited edition book tote bag.

Launching This Little World

Karen J McDonnell

Well, Launch Day is almost upon us!

The house elves in Doire Press and Ballyvaughan have been busy: organising wine, glasses, a lectern and – in my case – sorting out what to wear, Darlings!

You are invited!

It’s been an amazing few months: chock-full of poet-type angst, comradeship at Annaghmakerrig, excitement at being chosen by Doire Press, worry that I wouldn’t make the grade, delight in signing the contract. It was thrilling to see the proofs appear on the desktop; even more so to tear open the envelope and hold the first copy of my debut collection in my hands.

This Little World – my precious!

So now is the time to celebrate with Lisa and John from Doire Press, and with my family and kind, loyal friends. I’m extremely grateful to writer & poet Celeste Augé for launching This Little World into the wider world. Apart from the speeches, there will be wine, and a bit of poeting. Mostly though, PARRRTAAAAY!!!

If you happen to be in Galway on Saturday, don’t just stand there peeking through the window, or standing in the doorway. Come in and join us!

You’ll be so welcome.