Upcoming Events!

More Details will be posted nearer to event dates

If you want to enquire about any of the events, you can email me @phillips.louisem0@gmail.com

Morning Show TV3

I'm really looking forward to being on one of my favourite shows on TV3. Tune into the Morning Show on Tuesday, where I'll be talking about The Doll's House, and why in crime writing, we face our own fears.

A touch of darkness.....

It's a bright but breezy morning in Dublin, and the weekend is ahead...woohoo!!! 

I have to say, I'm really enjoying doing the blogtour this time around for THE DOLL'S HOUSE. It's not as fast paced as the tour was last year for RED RIBBONS, which is a good thing, as you get to spend longer enjoying each of the posts/visits. 

This time, I'm visiting Chris Mills, and like many of the visits on the tour, in answering some of Chris's questions, I've had to dig deep. I guess we don't always fully articulate to ourselves why we choose certain topics for our writing, or why we decide to write a particular way. Often the answers come a long time after the story is written.

So, I hope you enjoy this visit with Chris, who describes it, and aptly so, as adding a touch of darkness!

You can read the post HERE


Chris Mills is a bookseller, blogger and chocolate lover who hails from Birmingham, but now lives in Dublin. She runs her blog 'Tales From the Landing Book Shelves' to give her a great excuse to read lots of books and to write about them. She has also writes on books and cultural stuff for Irish News Review, Writing.ie and Hackwriters.

Hypnosis, research and nerve wrecking experiences!

Chatting with Niamh Boyce, bestselling author of The Herbalist! 

Call HERE and check out the next leg on The Doll's House blog tour. 

Niamh Boyce was the 2012 Hennessy XO New Irish Writer of the Year and she has been shortlisted for the Francis McManus Short Story competition 2011, the Hennessy Literary Awards 2010, the Molly Keane Award 2010 and the WOW Award 2010. Her bestselling debut novel, The Herbalist, was published this year, and has received rave reviews. 

Why I venture into the DARK.....

Doing a blog tour is another part of getting your writing noticed by people who may not be familiar with it. In today's world where we are all tightening our belts, it is often an easier choice when we walk into a book shop, to go with the tried and trusted. The big and familiar author names consume a lot of the market, and in tough times, make it increasingly difficult for a new voice to appear. I'm not complaining, just explaining why, more than ever these days, new writers have to do a lot more than write.

That being said, there are lots of pleasurable aspects of having a presence online, or doing radio interviews, or writing features for magazines, because it's also part of the business of communication, and once you don't let it get out of hand, communication is a huge part of a writer's toolbox. 

Today, as leg 5 of the blog tour, I'm visiting a long and dear writing friend. Myself and Brian Kirk met as part of Dermot Bolger's core writing group in SDCC a number of years back. And although writing is many things to many people, I've been blessed with the amazing friends I have met along the way, and Brian is one of them.

I've enjoyed some of the questions within this blog tour, many have made me pause to contemplate the answers over time, looking for the most honest response. 

Brian has asked me some really interesting questions, not least of which is why I write about the dark? You can read all about it HERE

Brian Kirk biography

Brian Kirk is a poet and writer from Dublin. He has been shortlisted for many awards including Hennessy New Irish Writer Awards in 2008 and 2011. His work has appeared in the Sunday Tribune, Crannóg Magazine, The Stony Thursday Book, Revival, Abridged(NI), Southword, Burning Bush 2, WortMosaik(GER), Boyne Berries, Wordlegs, Long Story Short Literary Journal, Can Can, Shotglass Journal, Bare Hands Poetry, The First Cut, The Blue Max Review, Roadside Fiction, Lakeview International Journal of Art and Literature and various anthologies. He was selected for the Poetry Ireland Introductions Series 2013. He blogs at:http://briankirkwriter.com/.

The Reading Life - Waiting for a Monsoon to end!

Link to review of RED RIBBONS by Mel Ulm of The Reading Life

"Normally I read several books at one time.   Yesterday I took Louise Phillips' novel Red Ribbons with me to our community pool, thinking I will start it after my swim.   I sat down briefly in a pool side cabana and a monsoon rain began.  I could not get back in the club house without being drenched so I started reading. Three hours of rain went but I was so drawn into the incredibly well done powerfully absorbing crime story, set in Dublin, that I barely noticed the time and rain.   It is compulsive reading. 

The plot action begins when a young girl is found murdered. The killer put red ribbons in her hair. We also meet a woman, Ellie, who was placed in a mental hospital 15 years ago for burning down her trailer with her 12 year old daughter inside. This begins as a seemingly separate subplot and a lot of the fun of the novel is in wondering how this is connected to the murders.  Soon another girl is killed and a massive hunt for the killer begins. It was fascinating to be an insider on this and to get to know a profiler and some detectives.   We know early who the killer is and we see the events also through his eyes. 

There are lots of exciting plot twists and I never could have predicted the very satisfying close of this marvelous novel.   The level of the prose is very high.  I completely endorse Red Ribbons to anyone one who likes well written suspense and crime novels.   I am really looking forward to reading her second novel, drawing rave reviews, The Doll's House."

It's Teacher Time!!!

Sure the old blog tour wouldn't be the same without having the fab Michelle Moloney King, who as well as being an IT expert, manages to teach, write, and do lots of creative stuff!!

So how many legs are on this blog tour for THE DOLL'S HOUSE you might ask? 

Well there are lots of legs to come, but today is LEG 4, and we're talking writing deadlines and inspiration, along with other interesting things!! 

Call over to Michelle HERE, and see what interesting snippets we have for you! You won't regret it!

MICHELLE MOLONEY-KING, is a primary school teacher, writer, avid reader and a pretty awesome person! She blogs about country life, books, school, IT, flash fiction & more at...... http://teacherMoloneyKing.com and on Twitter @MoloneyKing

Tick Tock, Tick Tock - THE DOLL'S HOUSE BLOGTOUR

The Doll's House blog tour calls over to writer Susan Condon today.

We talk hypnotherapy and how fictional characters surprise you, and you can read all about it HERE!! 

Go on, pay a visit, you won't regret it!!

Susan Condon

Susan Condon, a native of Dublin, is currently editing her debut novel – a crime fiction thriller set in New York City. Her short stories have won the Jonathan Swift Award, the Bealtaine Short Story Competition and the Sport and Cultural Council, City of Dublin VEC and she was long-listed for the RTÉ Guide/Penguin Short Story Competition. Publications include Original Writing from Ireland’s Own, Anthology 2012; South of the County: New Myths and Tales and www.fivestopstory.com

LADY KILLERS

Due to 'popular demand' this event is now taking place in the Main Autitorium

An Event Not To Be Missed!

Main Auditorium – Civic Theatre Tallaght – 18th October 8 p.m.

Crime Writing by Leading Female Authors: Alex Barclay, Arlene Hunt, Louise Phillips and special guest former Boulder Coroner Joanne Richardson in conversation with Susan Condon

A RED LINE BOOK FESTIVAL EVENT

REMIND ME ABOUT THIS SHOW

A killer evening not to be missed! Some of Ireland’s most popular female crime writers share insights into creating a gripping thriller. Special guest Joanne Richardson, former County Coroner of Boulder Colorado, brings an interesting element to the evening as she shares her experiences in this challenging role.

Alex Barclay’s first novel Darkhouse was a Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller. Since then Alex has written several bestselling thrillers and won the Ireland AM Crime Fiction Award at the Irish Book Awards for her third novel, Blood Runs Cold, which was the beginning of the Special Agent Ren Bryce series.

Arlene Hunt’s dark and atmospheric stories perfectly capture the grimy underworld of Dublin and beyond. She is the author of a series of fast-paced crime-thrillers, featuring John Kenny and Sarah Quigley from Quik Investigations. Her sixth novel Undertow was nominated for best crime novel of the year in 2009. Her current novel – a stand alone set in the US – entitled The Chosen, was voted as TV3′s Book of the Month for November 2011.

Louise Phillips’ bestselling debut crime novel, Red Ribbons, was shortlisted for Best Irish Crime Novel of the Year (2012) in the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards. Her eagerly awaited second psychological crime novel, The Doll’s House will be published August 2013

Joanne Richardson was County Coroner in Boulder Colorado from 2003 to 2012 and was responsible for determining cause and manner of death, which indicates whether the death was accidental, natural, suicide or homicide. Despite having what many would perceive to be a morbid profession, Richardson is upbeat, colourful and frank about her work.

Susan Condon is currently editing her debut novel – a crime fiction thriller set in New York City. Her writing career began in 2008. She has won many short story awards and was Longlisted in the RTE Guide / Penguin Ireland Short Story Competition 2012.

Friday 18th October @ 8pm

Admission €12/€10 concession

BOOK TICKETS HERE

Whether you are a crime fiction reader or currently honing your skills as a crime fiction writer, this is an event not to be missed. An opportunity to delve into the minds of three prolific writers as they divulge the secrets (we hope!) to their success and how they manage to get into the minds of their characters: the victims and the killers . . .

At the end of the night, there will be a chance for you, the audience, to ask those burning questions that have been eating away at you. If you can’t make it on the night and that burning question will not go away, post it here. The most intriguing question will be asked, on your behalf, on the night.

Hope to see you there!

DEADLY EFFECT!

THE PAST AND PRESENT COLLIDE WITH DEADLY EFFECT - 

Myles McWeeney Irish Independent

 

THRILLER - THE DOLL' S HOUSE

 

 

 

When Dublin businessman Adrian Hamilton died in what appeared to be a drowning accident 35 years ago, the event had a devastating effect on his family. His now adult daughter Clodagh Mc Kay, a recovering alcoholic, decides to visit a hypnotherapist in an effort to fill in the huge gaps in her childhood memories and come to terms with herself.

 

As Clodagh’s hypnotherapist helps her peel away the barriers her subconscious has erected to block out many of her childhood memories, it is clear that a dreadful tragedy had happened in the Hamilton household just before her father’s death… As her childhood memories begin to take shape, her old brother Dominic and husband Martin, close friends since childhood, become increasingly alarmed and try to suggest she is having a mental breakdown.

 

Clodagh’s regression sessions happen to coincide with a series of bizarre murders, including that of prominent television personality Keith Jenkins, that are being investigated by Garda Inspector O’Connor and criminal psychologist Dr Kate Pearson. As Pearson and O’Connor investigate the background of each of the victims, it becomes evident the victims were friends are youngsters and that someone is eliminating the group in an effort to cover up something that happened in the past.

 

As Kate delves deeper into the history of the Hamilton family, she realises that it is more than likely the methodical killer may be targeting Clodagh….

 

Dublin-born Louise Phillips scored a solid hit with her first psychological thriller Red Ribbons. Published last year, it was an instant bestseller and was shortlisted for Best Irish Crime Novel of 2012. In The Doll’s House Phillips has delivered a sequel that betters her debut – a gripping, suspenseful story peopled with well-drawn characters.

EXTRACT FROM MYLES MCWEENEY - IRISH INDEPENDENT

The 2nd Leg of The Doll's House Blogtour - Cracking Crime Fiction Research!!

It's great calling over to sites like friend and writer Valerie Sirr as part of The Doll's House blog tour. There are some interesting question which you might enjoy, including how to do your research as a crime writer with the police.

You can visit by clicking HERE

VALERIE SIRR, has had short fiction and flash fiction widely published (Ireland, UK, US, Australia and Asia). Awards include 2007 Hennessy New Irish Writer Award, two Arts Council of Ireland bursaries and other national and international literature prizes. She holds an M. Phil in Creative Writing from Trinity College,Dublin. She teaches creative writing, and she hopes to find a publisher for her flash and story collections soon and is working on a novel.

Follow Valerie on Twitter @ValerieSirr

THE DOLL'S HOUSE BLOG TOUR STARTS HERE!!!

THE DOLL'S HOUSE BLOG TOUR kicks off with the wonderful Katy O'Dowd!

KATY O'DOWD, is an arts and entertainment journalist and has worked for Time Out, Associated Newspapers and Comic Relief and her articles have appeared in The Times (London), Metro (London) and many other arts and entertainment publications, paper and online.

She reviews for the Historical Novels Review and the British Fantasy Society, is a commissioning editor at Pendragon Press and is co-editor of the Nasty Snips II Project for that press.

Alongside writing with her Dad under the pen-name Derry O’Dowd, whose first book ‘The Scarlet Ribbon’ was chosen to launch the History Press Ireland’s fiction line, she writes under her own name.

‘The Lady Astronomer’, a YA Steampunk novel, is out with Untold Press. 

Visit Katy at  www.katyodowd.com                                                 And on Twitter@katyod

So CALL OVER TO KATY HERE and find out a few things about Louise Phillips, including MY FAVORITE THINGS!!

Do You Want to Develop your Skills as a Crime Writer???

There are many elements to successful crime writing - establishing tension and pace, creating memorable characters, using effective dialogue, a plot with twists and turns, and an uttering gripping story. 

Over the course of 8 weeks at The Irish Writers' Centre - I'll be examining all these elements, along with looking at the area of research, and how to establish rhythm and shape within the narrative.

Through intensive weekly critique, we will look at developing your voice as a crime writer. 

TO BOOK THIS 8 WEEK COURSE -Contact The Irish Writers' Centre, Parnell Square, Dublin.

Telephone (353 1 8721302) or email info@writerscentre.ie

OR YOU CAN CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK

(Starting Wednesday 25th September /6.30 p.m.- 8.30 p.m.)

Cost: €220/€200

PLACES ARE LIMITED - SO BOOK EARLY

Book Signing around Dublin!

There are SIGNED copies of The Doll's House available in Easons Tallaght, Dundrum, O'Connell Street, St Stephens Green, Blanchardstown, Liffey Valley and Swords, along with Dubray in Grafton Street, WH Smith Terminal 2 Dublin Airport, and Reads of Nassau Street, and a couple left in Hodges Figgis Dawson Street! 

Easons now have it in the 3 for 2, so if you're planning on picking up a few books for holidays etc, it might be a good place to go.

Here are some pics from book signings last Tuesday!! Have a lovely weekend :-)

Every Picture Tells A Story!

The launch in The Gutter Bookshop was an amazing night. I'll put some pictures below for you!

For everyone that made the launch on Wednesday, a HUGH thank you, and for anyone who wanted to be there but for whatever reason couldn't, including potential bus strike, LUAS not working with massive delays, not to mention the 3 hour tail back on the M50, I appreciate your support too! 

It was a great week, despite some of the challenges above. And having heard last Friday that many shops didn't get deliveries due to a fire in a depot, I thought the book would never arrive!! Thankfully, it's now in all shops barring a couple in Dublin, Reads of Nassau Street, and one shop at Dublin Airport. (They should get them today)

Anyone that knows me, knows I take these sort of challenges head on, so if any of you who had to miss the launch were planning on picking up a copy soon, IF YOU DO SO BY THIS SATURDAY EVENING, and send me a pic, you're in with a GREAT chance of winning a free copy for a gift!! I have lots and lots, so the odds of winning are pretty good.

Spread the word anyway you can! I really appreciate that.

Thanks and best,

Louise

An Extraordinary Journey!!

I had a crazy, wonderful day yesterday! But here is the thing - despite all the wonderful people who bought RED RIBBONS,(and now) THE DOLL'S HOUSE, up until the book signings around Dublin yesterday, I had yet to see anyone physically buy a book!!!

While I was with the lovely Annmarie and Dave in Easons Swords, someone picked up BOTH BOOKS and asked me to sign them! I could have been knocked over by a feather. Then a man came over and told me how much he loved RED RIBBONS, picking up THE DOLL'S HOUSE, and asking me to personalize his copy which he eagerly brought to the checkout. And so the day went on, and the amount of goodwill and positive feedback was utterly amazing!!

My thanks to all the lads and lassies from the Dublin bookstores yesterday, and I thoroughly hope you enjoy THE DOLL'S HOUSE!!! And......

TONIGHT IS LAUNCH NIGHT - The Gutter Bookshop - 6.30 - Cow's Lane (off Dame Street) 

We have a great crowd building up, and weather looks good, so there will be singing, book signing, laughter, fun and general madness both inside and out, if you make it down. 

I would love to see you there, and if for whatever reason you can't make it, you can ring in your order for a personalized signed copy from the Gutter bookshop at (353 1 6799206) or email  info@gutterbookshop.com

Thanks everyone for making this journey an extraordinary one!! xxx Louise

Launch Night

The launch on Wednesday 7th August is now very close, and thanks so much to everyone who has confirmed by facebook, twitter, email and linkedin - It's shaping up to be a cracker of a night!

I know a small number of you can't make it for varying reasons, but I'm delighted to say that Bob at the Gutter Bookshop is happy to take orders for personalized signed copies of The Doll's House. If you contact the shop by phone via 353 1 6799206 or by email to info@gutterbookshop.com before Wednesday, I'll sign the copies on the night., and you can either request them to be posted or you can collect them later.

If you need to check out anything about this, or any other aspect of the launch, simply ask me here or by email etc.

Best & take care.

xx

Louise

Launch of The Doll's House, 

The Gutter Bookshop, Cow's Lane, Dublin,

 Wednesday August 7th at 6.30 pm

Publication Day!

So after a year of beginnings, middles, and ends, the day is finally here! Publication of THE DOLL'S HOUSE!!! Contrary to common opinion though, PUBLICATION DAY may be mammoth to the author, a deep emotional heart string pulled, and a gift to myself of a lie in until 7.30 a.m. this morning, but it is slightly different out there in the real world.

For Irish visitors to the site, The Doll's House will start appearing on shelves in the next few days as boxes get delivered and are unpacked. Always thinking of you, perhaps it's best to hold off for about 3/4 days to make that visit into town, or wherever you intend to pick up a copy. 

Even better, those you who are hoping to make the launch next Wednesday at 6.30 in the Gutter bookshop Cow's Lane, can pick up a personalised signed copy there!

For all other visitors from the rest of the world, YOU CAN NOW ORDER on either Amazon UK or Amazon . Com !

I heard yesterday that if you live in the States and order visa the amazon.co.uk site, you will get delivery within a few days for 2-3 dollars postage, and for free if you bundle a few books - the world is getting smaller folks!!

To everyone who has supported me along the way, a MASSIVE THANKS! It's been mad, sad, happy, emotional, mind-blowing and utterly fabulous! 

On a lighter note, those of you out there who have managed to hold onto your original first edition RED RIBBONS, it has doubled in value, so keep that investment nice and safe, and twin it with THE DOLL'S HOUSE - who knows ONE DAY I could be really famous!!  

Best and good wishes to you all.

xxxx

Louise

What has been said so far about The Doll's House

Kim Nash The Bookworm, says,'A Brilliant book!' 

Tracey Newell says, 'What a Cracker! '

Susan Condon writing.ie, says, 'Fans of SJ Watson will devour!'

Niamh O'Connor says, 'Chilling, mesmerising. Gets under your skin and stays with you.'