Exquisite fragments

On being read

My oh my , I’ve just completed the first round of events for Cacophony Of Bone, and to say my heart is full feels such an understatement…

My first book came out in the first winter of the pandemic, as I moved from my second into my third trimester, with my first baby inside me. There were no in person events out of Ireland (and I don’t actually think in Ireland but my memory is hazy of those early postpartum days) until it was highly commended for the Wainwright Prize almost nine months after it came out; a somewhat surreal gestation. It feels such a special thing to go, albeit gently, outwards into the world with this one. To have been given the chance to be in Scotland— somewhere I hold so dear — and to be able to do hybrid events (a sign of the worth of a venue if I’m honest in these times) means the world to me. And oh my oh my Scotland has filled my heart right up! The venues, the booksellers, the audiences, the joy!! I will never forget this time. A friend (also a writer) said she was so glad I got to have this time and I knew exactly what she meant. I could never have dreamed how this would feel. Meeting readers the moment the book came into the world. Sitting in beautiful spaces with incredible people I deeply admire and diving in beneath the surface of things. I am so glad I got this time too.

It’s also really important that I say how different an experience it has been hearing from readers this time round. I found it all exceptionally difficult with Thin Places but with Cacophony it just feels so wild and humbling; there is no sense of an ongoing excavation of trauma with this book and fuck am I glad. I feel like I can stand— rooted and strong— and own this part of my story in ways I am still trying to do with the first book so this is all very new territory. I am grateful beyond words for very review, post, share, like and so on. I am moved beyond words every time I am face to face with someone who has connected with this book. It means so much to me to have these moments.

There have been so many moments that felt the stuff of pure magic but it felt imperative to share this wee one: Victoria Bennet and I , signing our books together, in the garden at Lighthouse Bookshop. The next day Vic said how much it meant to have her voice as part of the essential conversation around place, privilege, mothering and more, and I feel the same way entirely. What an honour to be invited into this garden. I will never not be grateful.

And so a million thanks, ever and always, to all who make this possible.

If you fancy a read of possibly the most beautiful review ever written , go here for Rosin Costello’s gorgeous words. How lucky I am. The wonderful crew at Caught By The River have a wee excerpt up just now too if you would like a taster. You can buy it through them here.

I’ve started the long journey back to Ireland now but I know I’ve left a part of me in Scotland, and that’s more than ok. How gorgeous this life is, how lucky I am, how grateful.

Ps: I’ve come back with a ridiculous amount of books from Scotland and am keen to know what you are reading just now? I’m on a copy of Wild Geese my soul sister sent me to Scotland with.

‘It was a day so filled with light that…in the sun-saturated atmosphere floated gossamers, thistledown and the seeds of willowherb…more delicate than moths’

Divine.

Also: tell me about your favourite indie bookstore?

If you’ve seen Cacophony Of Bone anywhere please tag me on Instagram or Twitter?! I love seeing the life this book is living in this glistening, gorgeous world!

You have all been loving the cover! It’s designed by the amazing Rafaela Romaya. You can read a class behind the scenes of the cover she created for Alice Vincent’s dreamy Why Women Grow here.

The exquisite illustration is by Vasilisa Romanenko

Books, right? Aren’t they just the best things ever?! X

Just a wee note to say that if you like what I write, perhaps you might like to become a paid subscriber. It is a joy to be read, and I am so grateful to every reader! X