Fantastic Line Up for BRAY LITERARY FESTIVAL 2019!!

There is an utterly fantastic line up for this year's Bray Literary Festival.....

You can find out all the details HERE

And this is the info on the workshop I'll be doing...

Dublin Writers Conference 2019!

            21st-23rd JUNE 2019

Another set of dates for the diary!

I'm so looking forward to sharing a panel with some very talented folks during this year's conference. For full details see link below.

5th Annual Dublin Writers’ Conference

This conference will help you to improve your writing craft, publish successfully, and plan the marketing necessary for any author to achieve success whether traditionally published or self-published.

For full details visit HERE

Bray Literary Festival 2019!!

I am thrilled to be taking part in this year's Bray Literary Festival. There is an absolutely stellar line up! So put the dates in your diary now!! 

Murder One - Serial Thrillers Launch & Link to full Festival Details

Join the MURDER ONE  team for Serial Thrillers, an evening of criminal conversation and the MURDER ONE festival official launch at

Hodges Figgis Bookshop, Dawson Street
Thursday 20th September 2018
6.30pm
Free event, all welcome (there may be wine!)

In 2017, crime fiction overtook general and literary fiction to officially  become the biggest selling genre in the book trade. What is it about serial killings, police investigations and tales of domestic suspense that keep us coming back for more? Ahead of Murder One, bestselling Irish crime writers Catherine Ryan Howard and Sam Blake will be in conversation with Dr Bernice Murphy, co-director of the M.Phil in Popular Literature at Trinity College Dublin, in an event that’s sure to thrill all crime fiction fans.


Sam Blake is a pseudonym for Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin, the founder of The Inkwell Group publishing consultancy , the national writing resources website Writing.ie, and the Murder One festival. She is Ireland’s leading literary scout. Vanessa has been writing fiction since her husband set sail across the Atlantic for eight weeks and she had an idea for a book.
Her debut novel Little Bones went straight into No 1 and stayed there for four weeks, spending another four weeks in the top 10, and was shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year. It was followed by bestsellers In Deep Water and No Turning Back. Find out more at www.samblakebooks.com or follow her on Twitter @samblakebooks



Bernice M. Murphy is lecturer in Popular Literature in the School of English, Trinity College, Dublin, and a Fellow of the college. She is co-director of the M.Phil in Popular Literature and has published extensively on topics related to popular literature, especially horror and Gothic fiction and film. Her books include The Rural Gothic: Backwoods Horror and Terror in the Wilderness (2013), The Highway Horror Film (2014), Key Concepts in Contemporary Popular Fiction(2017), and, with, Stephen Matterson, the edited collection Twenty-First Century Popular Fiction (2018). She is the co-founder of the online Irish Journal of Gothic and Horror Studies and is a founding member of the recently established Irish Network for Gothic Studies (INGS).


Catherine Ryan Howard is from Cork, Ireland and now lives in Dublin. Her debut novel, DISTRESS SIGNALS, was an Irish Times and USA Today bestseller, shortlisted for both the IBA Crime Novel of the Year and the CWA John Creasey/New Blood Dagger Award, and was optioned for TV by Jet Stone Media. Her second novel, THE LIAR’S GIRL, was released in 2018. Catherine has just completed a BA in English Literature at Trinity College Dublin as a mature student and is currently working on her third novel.

Hodges Figgis, 56-58 Dawson St, Dublin 2, Dublin’s oldest bookstore.

For full details of the upcoming festival visit HERE

Bray Literary Festival & Lady Killers!!

LADY KILLERS-CRIME FICTION EVENT-BRAY FESTIVAL

Bray Literary Festival, the brainchild of author Tanya Farrelly and David Butler will take place between the 22nd - 24th September. It promises to be a festival with a difference, with both established and emerging artists - 'One for the many, not for the few...'

In an interview with the Irish Times, Tanya said -  'We are both natural organisers who are passionate about literature and offering support to fellow writers. I noticed the same names were cropping up in Irish literary festivals – and that many talented writers seem unable to break through that wall. Festivals certainly need headliners to attract an audience but we want to offer a broader spectrum. We’re planning a range of events from well-known writers to published writers who get fewer opportunities, to emerging writers who have yet to have their debut published.'

FOR ALL YOU CRIME FICTION LOVERS....I'll be taking part in 'LADY KILLERS' at the festival with the fabulous Arlene Hunt and Sam Blake, on Sunday the 24th September @ 2 p.m. in Bray Town Hall.

Arlene Hunt is the author of eight novels and numerous short stories. She is the co-owner of Portnoy Publishing and a regular contributor and reviewer for RTE’s culture show, Arena. She lives in Dublin and is currently working on her ninth novel. When not working she spends a lot of time running long distance with her GSD, Archer.

Sam Blake is a pseudonym for Vanessa Fox O'Loughlin. She has been writing fiction since 1999 when her husband went sailing across the Atlantic for 8 weeks and she had an idea for a book. Her debut novel, Little Bones, spent eight weeks in the top 10 Irish Times Bestseller list. Vanessa is also the founder of The Inkwell Group publishing consultancy and the Irish national writing resources website Writing.ie. She is a leading literary scout who has assisted many award winning and bestselling authors to publication. 

Louise Phillips, is the author of four bestselling crime novels. She is the winner of numerous literary awards, including Best Irish Crime Novel of the Year. Last year, she was longlisted for the CWA Dagger in the Library, and is the recipient of both art bursaries and residencies for literature. A judge for the EU Literary Award, her debut novel, RED RIBBONS, was published to critical acclaim in the US in 2016. She is currently working on her fifth novel.

FOR FULL LIST OF EVENTS & ALL DETAILS OF THE FESTIVAL VISIT HERE 

TO DOWNLOAD A FULL PROGRAMME CLICK HERE

BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT !!!

Crime Fiction Night!

Lots of great things happening as part of Leaves Literary Festival, but looking forward to catching up with Thomas Enger, Andrea Carter, Niamh O Connor & Sean Rocks at the Crime Fiction Night....see image for details

Laois Leaves Literary Festival 2016!!

The Laois Leaves Festival is happening next weekend!! A great choice of events, and I'm looking forward to sharing a panel with fellow crime writers, Andrea Carter, Niamh O'Connor and Thomas Enger. The evening will be chaired by Seán Rocks, presenter of the Arena show on RTÉ Radio 1, with music by Rachel Clancy.

For more information.... http://www.laois-nationalist.ie/2016/11/03/laois-leaves-festival-promises-diverse-range-of-literary-delights/

Murder in the Morning!

I'm so looking forward to this event with Niamh O Connor and Claire Mc Gowan as part of our visit to San Francisco!!

Trouble is our Business at the Red Line!!

An evening of discussion on Irish Crime Writing with author, editor and journalist, Declan Burke, who will lead the conversation on the crime-writing process, the development of gripping plots and characters, and explore the evolution of Irish crime writing.

Date:  Wednesday, 12 October 2016
Time:  8pm 
Venue:  The Civic Theatre, Loose End
Admission:  €8/€6 concession

Perfect for crime fiction fans and aspiring authors.

Warning:  As there will be a discussion of crime novels etc. and their content, the panel may be unsuitable for a young audience.

Presented by Red Line Book Festival/New Island Books

Duration: 60 mins approx

Detective as Muse - Writers Week Los Gatos San Francisco!!

If you're in the San Francisco region in October....I'll be there! Plus, it always good to meet a detective who has investigated over 300 homicides....I kid you not!! 

For more details on Writers Week Los Gatos Visit HERE

Louise Phillips and a local Bay Area crime novelist will be joined by Irish detective Tom Doyle, and Dublin-born San Francisco Police Department Crime Scene Investigator, Ronan Shouldice for a panel discussion on writing about crime, the real versus the fictionalized, detective as muse, and the differences in legislation and covering crime both sides of the Atlantic.

Ronan Shouldice was born in Dublin and moved to the U.S. in 1979, settling in San Francisco in 1981. He joined the San Francisco Police Department in 1989 and worked in patrol until being accepted into the Crime Scene Investigation Unit in 1994, where he has been assigned ever since. He is a Certified Latent Print Examiner and has investigated thousands of crime scenes, including over 300 homicide cases.

Tom Doyle was born in Dublin. He joined the Irish Police Force, An Garda Síochána, in 1979, and has a degree in Human Resource Management. Promoted to Detective Sergeant in 1998, he has almost 37 years’ experience at the forefront of Criminal Investigations within the Irish capital city of Dublin. During his long career, he has managed a variety of units, including the Crime Task Force and the Drugs Unit, before being appointed Detective Sergeant, responsible for the detection and investigation of Serious Crime, incorporating murder and gangland activity. A key note speaker on the dangers of drug abuse, he has also worked with emerging writers at the Irish Writers Centre in Dublin, developing their knowledge of crime scene analysis, forensics, and other aspects of policing relevant to crime fiction research. He is currently based in South Dublin.

Louise Phillips is author of four psychological crime thrillers. Her debut novel Red Ribbons was nominated for the Best Irish Crime Novel of the Year 2012, and her second novel, The Doll’s House, won the award in 2013. Last Kiss, her third novel was also shortlisted. In 2015, she was a judge on the Irish panel for the EU Literary Award. The Game Changer is her fourth novel. “This is not just an Irish Crime thriller writer – she’s among the best crime writers in the world.” – BBC Radio Ulster

Dalkey Creates....Some Amazing Writing Workshops!!!

So looking forward to the Dalkey Creates Festival! Dates 13th -16th October....Sharing the days with some great writing friends....

For more details on the festival click HERE.

DUBLIN WRITERS CONFERENCE.....

 24th to the 26th June 2016

The Dublin Writers Conference will take place later this month and extra seats have been made available!!!

Judging by the success of last year's event, this conference is quickly becoming a key date on the literary calendar.

I'm really honored to be joining the list of professional speakers and workshop facilitators this year, so if you fancy taking part, I'll look forward to seeing you there.

There are a wide range of seminars and workshops available, and flexibility with bookings too, whether you are available for one day or two.....

You can check it out HERE

The workshop I will be doing....

CHARACTER, IMPACT & PACE 

This module will look at how best to begin your story, including getting that killer opening line. It will examine the role of character/characters in your fictional world, concentrating on truly engaging the reader by creating memorable ones. Pace and impact are crucial components of fiction writing, and during this session we will explore the ideal means of establishing solid pace and impact in your work. The right pacing and the the correct impact, both critical components, will have your reader turning the pages, keeping them hooked throughout. Pacing defines the speed and rhythm at which a story is told, pulling the reader through events, whilst the correct impact has the power to captivate, entertain and inspire your reader. 

And a little about me.....

LOUISE PHILLIPS is an author of four bestselling psychological crime thrillers, each shortlisted for Best Irish Crime Novel of the Year in the Irish Book Awards. Her second novel, THE DOLL’S HOUSE, won the award.  Her work has formed part of many literary anthologies, and she has won both the Jonathan Swift Award and the Irish Writers’ Centre Lonely Voice platform. In 2013, she received an Arts Bursary for Literature, and in 2015, she was awarded a Writers’ Residency at Cill Rialaig Artist retreat. She teaches crime fiction at the Irish Writers’ Centre in Dublin, and this year, she was longlisted for a CWA Dagger in the Library Award. She has also been a judge on the Irish panel for the EU Literary Award. Her first two novels, RED RIBBONS and THE DOLL’S HOUSE will be published in the U.S. in 2016 and 2017. Her latest novel is THE GAME CHANGER

Tallafest 2015 - Exploring Character and Story!!

This festival gets more successful year on year and I'm thrilled to be taking part again.

If you want to book a place on my FREE creative writing workshop 'Exploring Character and Story' go to www.tallafest.ie and book your place! 

This event is always oversubscribed so get booking!! #Tallafest15

TallaFest - Let the games begin!!

Lots happening as part of Tallafest 2013, on the 6th & 7th July!! We have Nature and Historical walks, we have Music, we have things for the children, Mobile Farms, Storytelling, Puppet shows, Face Painting, Balloons, we have photography exhibitions, we have sporting activities, and tons more, including a writing workshop!!!

Writing Workshop with Louise Phillips - Saturday 6th July 3.30 p.m. - 5.00p.m. 
The Abberley Court Hotel

All events are free, but pre-event booking is required. To book for the workshop or any of the other amazing events, all you have to do is this!!!

Phone (01) 4521071 - Leave a message with your name and the event

Text 086 7238373 - With your name and the event

Email - tallaghtfest@gmail.com or go

Online to register www.tallafest.com/register.html

FOR ALL DETAILS OF WHAT'S HAPPENING YOU CAN VISIT..... HERE