Sheila O’Flanagan shortlisted for the 2024 Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year Award

October 25, 2024 Intern BlakeFriedmann

International bestselling novelist Sheila O’Flanagan has been shortlisted for the 2024 Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year Award. Part of the An Post Irish Book Awards, the Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year Award is given to an Irish author whose works contributed significantly to the reader experience and enjoyment of Irish books during 2024, as nominated by librarians and library book club members. Previous winners include Claire Keegan and John Boyne.

The other authors on this year’s shortlist are as follows: Eoin Colfer, Sally Rooney, Donal Ryan, Jo Spain and Colm Tóibín. The winner will be announced at a gala dinner at the Convention Centre in Dublin on 27th November 2024 and you can take part in the voting process here.

Larry Mac Hale, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, says: ‘The shortlist for this year’s An Post Irish Book Awards is, once again, remarkable, showcasing the immense talent of Irish writers and the strength of our literary community. Each category highlights exceptional writing, with well deserving authors, publishers, illustrators, and booksellers being recognised.’

Previously Sheila won the Popular Fiction Book of the Year Award in 2011 for her novel ALL FOR YOU, and had THREE WEDDINGS AND A PROPOSAL and WHAT EDEN DID NEXT shortlisted for the same prize in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

About Sheila O’Flanagan

Sheila O’Flanagan is an international bestselling novelist, with more than 9 million copies sold. Most of her novels have been immediate and long-lasting No 1s in Ireland, UK Top 10 Sunday Times Bestsellers and Kindle Bestsellers, and she is published in more than twenty languages around the world. She is the recipient of the prestigious Irish Tatler Literary Woman of the Year Award.

Praise for Sheila O’Flanagan

‘One of my favourite authors’ – Marian Keyes

‘One of our best-known, best-loved and most prolific women’s fiction authors’ – Irish Independent

‘Reading a Sheila O'Flanagan novel always feels like sitting down for a cup of tea with a friend – she writes with such warmth and empathy.’ – Beth O’Leary, author of THE FLATSHARE

‘Sheila writes with such verve and positivity and emotional intelligence.’ – Veronica Henry

Visit Sheila’s website.

Follow Sheila on X (previously Twitter) and Instagram.

Double shortlisting for Joseph O’Connor at the 2023 An Post Irish Book Awards

October 20, 2023 Intern BlakeFriedmann

We are delighted that Joseph O’Connor has been shortlisted for the Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year Award at the 2023 An Post Irish Book Awards. His latest novel, MY FATHER’S HOUSE, has been shortlisted for the Eason Novel of the Year Award. The An Post Irish Book Awards are a set of industry-recognition awards set up by a coalition of Irish booksellers to celebrate and promote Irish writing, with winners voted for by readers. Since 2011, an Irish Book Awards TV show has been aired on RTÉ.

Readers can vote for their favourites here: https://www.irishbookawards.ie/vote/. Voting closes at 5pm on 9th November 2023.

Winners will be announced on 22nd November 2023 at The Convention Centre Dublin with the An Post Irish Book of the Year TV show airing on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on 6th December.

MY FATHER’S HOUSE was published in the UK and Ireland by Harvill Secker and in the US by Europa Editions in January 2023. It flew straight to Number One in the Irish bestseller charts where it stayed for four consecutive weeks. It was also featured on BBC Radio 4 as Book at Bedtime. The novel is the first in the Rome Escape Line Trilogy.

In September 1943, German forces occupy Rome. SS officer Paul Hauptmann rules with terror. An Irish priest, Hugh O'Flaherty, dedicates himself to helping those escaping from the Nazis. His home is Vatican City, a neutral, independent country within Rome where the occupiers hold no sway. He gathers a team to set up an Escape Line. But Hauptmann's net begins closing in and the need for a terrifyingly audacious mission grows critical. By Christmas, it's too late to turn back.

Based on a true story, MY FATHER’S HOUSE is a powerful thriller from a master of historical fiction. It is an unforgettable novel of love, sacrifice and what it means to be human in the most extreme circumstances.

MY FATHER’S HOUSE was also recently chosen as part of the Irish Arts Council’s Read Mór project. To celebrate Culture Night (21st September 2023), the Arts Council gifted thousands of books by Irish and Irish based writers to patients in seven hospitals. The aim of the project is to gift the joy of reading and to bring Culture Night to those who cannot be part of the national event. Curated by three Laureates, MY FATHER’S HOUSE was selected along with 29 other titles and authors.

MY FATHER’S HOUSE will be published in paperback in the UK in February 2024 and in April 2024 in the US. Rights are also sold in Brazil, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden.

About Joseph O’Connor
Joseph O’Connor was born in Dublin, where he still lives. MY FATHER’S HOUSE is his tenth novel: he is also the author of film scripts, radio and stage plays, two collections of short stories, and several bestselling works of non-fiction.

2022 was the 20th anniversary of Joseph O’Connor’s novel STAR OF THE SEA which was an international bestseller, selling more than a million copies in the UK alone and being published in 38 languages. It won France’s Prix Millepages, Italy’s Premio Acerbi, the Irish Post Award for Fiction, the Nielsen Bookscan Golden Book Award, an American Library Association Award, the Hennessy/Sunday Tribune Hall of Fame Award, and the Prix Litteraire Zepter for European Novel of the Year.

He holds an honorary Doctorate in Literature from University College Dublin and received the Irish PEN Award for Outstanding Contribution to Irish Literature in 2012. He is the Inaugural Frank McCourt Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Limerick.

Praise for MY FATHER’S HOUSE
‘A spectacular, thrilling novel… MY FATHER’S HOUSE celebrates triumphant against-the-odds camaraderie. It would require a present-day Puccini to do operatic justice to its tremendous tale.’ – Peter Kemp, The Sunday Times

‘A literary thriller of the highest order. The incarnation of O’Flaherty, the Irish Oskar Schindler, is sublime. What often elevates a writer is compassion, and O’Connor has it in spades – paying tribute to the courage of those who resist tyranny. Beautifully crafted, his razor-sharp dialogue is to be savoured, and he employs dark humour to great effect. The plot twists keep on coming until the novel’s coda, where a final joyful conceit is revealed.’ – Lucy Popescu, The Observer

‘Joseph O’Connor’s new novel MY FATHERS HOUSE is a riveting tale about the power of community in the face of unfathomable evil… a seamless blend of fact and fiction by a master of the genre; a brisk polyphonic narrative that brings the heroism of ordinary people thrillingly to life... O’Connor is a visualist who revels in evocative cityscapes of a Rome under siege… readers will be too caught up in O’Connor’s writing, the delight in watching a plan come together, the tension of wondering whether it will succeed… MY FATHER’S HOUSE, the first in a trilogy, is a novel full of deft characterisation and knowledge, not just the historical facts, but the broader – grander? – wisdom to be found in excavating the past.’ – Sarah Gilmartin, The Irish Times

‘Riveting… Through wonderfully developed and varied characters, O’Connor conveys both the painful privations of life during wartime and the nobility of the Choir’s goals, and the unfolding of O’Flaherty’s marathon of undercover subterfuges that lay the groundwork for their mission is a storytelling tour de force. This is top-drawer WWII fiction.’ – Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

‘A gripping World War II-set drama featuring the unlikeliest of heroes, one whom the reader roots for every step of the way… His cat-and-mouse game with Hauptmann is expertly plotted; his desperate mission through the streets of Rome is brilliantly paced. It is hard not to be captivated by his presence throughout this hugely satisfying book, from its explosive opening to its bittersweet end.’ – Malcolm Forbes, The Washington Post

‘If the story were told in typical thriller style, emphasizing action over language, it would still be good, but O’Connor’s phrasings are a special joy… A deeply emotional read. And when the action is over, the coda could water an atheist’s eye.’ – Kirkus Reviews

‘A striking piece of historical fiction… Telling the story from multiple perspectives, O'Connor succeeds in integrating into the suspenseful plot numerous narrative voices that intersect class, gender, nationality and religion. In the process, he effectively explores the varied motivations of those who joined The Choir and their differing experiences… this novel's strength is its vivid imagery and intimate detail. With its daring hero and theme of pan-European collaboration, O'Connor's addition to the crowded corpus of Second World War fiction is immersive and thrilling.’ – Adam Ahmed-Mekky, Literary Review

Sheila O’Flanagan’s WHAT EDEN DID NEXT shortlisted for the An Post Irish Book Awards 2022

October 21, 2022 Intern BlakeFriedmann

Sheila O’Flanagan’s WHAT EDEN DID NEXT has been shortlisted for Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2022. The An Post Irish Book Awards were set up by a coalition of Irish booksellers. Each year, readers vote for winners in a variety of categories, and an overall winner is chosen. The awards are dedicated to the celebration of the best Irish writers and writing across all genres of publishing.

Other titles on this year’s Popular Fiction Book shortlist are: ONCE UPON A TIME IN DONNYBROOK by Ross O’Carroll-Kelly, IDOL by Louise O’Neill, DUFFY AND SON by Damien Owens, FOREVER HOME by Graham Norton and Again, Rachel by Marian Keyes.

Winners will be announced at an in-person ceremony on 23rd November, and a special programme, An Post Irish Book of the Year TV show, will air on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on 7th December.

WHAT EDEN DID NEXT was published in hardback by Headline in April 2022 in the United Kingdom, while Mobius published in the US. It was a Number One bestseller in Ireland in its first two weeks of sale, and remained in the Top Ten for seven weeks in a row, returning for another two weeks later in the Summer. Headline have recently revealed the beautiful paperback cover, which they will publish in March 2023.

In WHAT EDEN DID NEXT, five years after the death of her firefighter husband, Eden knows better than anyone that life can change in an instant. Now, instead of the future she had planned with Andy, she has Lila—the daughter he never got the chance to meet. And instead of Andy, she has his family. Then Eden meets someone. Someone she knew before Andy, before Lila, before the tragedy. Someone who reminds her of how she used to be. But Andy's mother has other plans. And Eden is facing an impossible choice. One that could tear a family apart.... Honest and emotionally gripping, WHAT EDEN DID NEXT is an irresistible, sometimes heart-breaking, ultimately joyful novel of love, loss—and finding your own way to happiness.

Sheila’s first historical novel, THE WOMAN ON THE BRIDGE, will be published by Headline in April 2023, and by Mobius in the US in June 2023.

Praise for WHAT EDEN DID NEXT

‘Her mix of comedy and pathos always hits the right note and keeps the pages turning… What has ensured O’Flanagan’s continued success since that first novel, SUDDENLY SINGLE, is that she keeps her finger on the pulse and moves with the times…. O’Flanagan’s themes are timeless. Her characters are accessible and her enduring themes, of friends and family being drawn together during life-changing moments, remain and resonate warmly in her novels. No doubt, you can expect to see WHAT EDEN DID NEXT on the bestseller shelves very soon.’ – Ann Dunne, Irish Independent

‘O’Flanagan’s books are a staple of the Irish summer…the doyenne of commercial fiction’ – Marjorie Brennan, Irish Examiner, ‘Summer holiday reads: 20 good fiction books for the beach and beyond’

‘A joyous tale about love, friendship and healing that will leave you glowing like a warm summer’s day on the Irish coast… Sheila O’Flanagan is a masterful storyteller who delves into female relationships, and the female experience, with authenticity and energy. The friendship between Eden and an elderly patient is particularly special, and for a Desperate Housewives measure of sex, gossip and flirtation, the women of Sycamore Grove, O’Flanagan’s fictional Dublin neighbourhood, are the perfect tonic! Their short, sassy WhatsApp messages offer light relief to the heart-breaking love letters Eden pens to her dead husband. WHAT EDEN DID NEXT is a captivating exploration of how friendship and love can help us overcome adversity. How lives really can be rebuilt after trauma. And why we should always, always listen to our heart. A gorgeously uplifting, romantic read for the new season.’ – Lindsay Quayle, LoveReading

‘Heart-breaking, life-affirming and unforgettable new novel from Sheila O’Flanagan… Honest and emotionally gripping, WHAT EDEN DID NEXT is an irresistible, sometimes heart-breaking, ultimately joyful novel of love, loss and finding your own way to happiness... Her novels are beloved for their warm characters, beautiful Irish settings and moving storylines. WHAT EDEN DID NEXT absolutely ticks all these boxes... The letters Eden writes to her husband will pull at any reader’s heartstrings. Her internal struggle to move on and allow herself to find new love is sensitively told, as is her journey as a single mother. Despite its big themes, O’Flanagan imbues the story with a light-hearted touch. The neighbourhood WhatsApp group that loves to gossip and speculate over people’s love lives is particularly entertaining. O’Flanagan’s much-loved Irish settings are sure to delight both new and long-time fans, as well as lovers of other Irish writers like Maeve Binchy and Marian Keyes. With this latest novel, O’Flanagan has once again shown that she is a queen of heart-warming women’s fiction.’ – Better Reading

About Sheila O’Flanagan

Visit Sheila's website.
Follow Sheila on Twitter.
Like Sheila on Facebook.

Sheila O’Flanagan’s THREE WEDDINGS AND A PROPOSAL shortlisted for An Post Irish Book Awards

October 21, 2021 Intern BlakeFriedmann

We are delighted that THREE WEDDINGS AND A PROPOSAL by Sheila O’Flanagan has been shortlisted for the An Post Irish Book Awards National Book Tokens Popular Fiction Book of the Year Award 2021. Sheila previously won the award for her novel ALL FOR YOU in 2011.

The An Post Irish Book Awards were set up by a coalition of Irish booksellers in 2007 and are dedicated to the celebration of the best Irish writers and writing across all genres. The shortlists are selected by a team of booksellers and librarians, with the winners later decided by popular vote. To vote in this year’s awards, visit: https://www.irishbookawards.irish/

The winner be announced on the 23rd of November, with a television show broadcast on the 8th of December showcasing the highlights of the awards ceremony.

THREE WEDDINGS AND A PROPOSAL was published in hardback by Headline in May 2021. It was listed on the Irish Independent ‘50 hottest summer reads’, and included in the Herald Scotland’s list of ‘25 best books to read this summer’.

At the first wedding, there’s a shock. The second wedding is unexpected. By the third, Delphie thinks nothing could surprise her. But she's wrong…

Delphie has enjoyed wrong-footing her family at her brother’s nuptials with her Plus One, whose presence has stopped any of them asking again why she’s still single. But the day takes a dramatic turn when she sees all the missed calls. And it’s not good news.

Up till now, Delphie has been living her best life, loving her job, her friends, her no-strings relationships and her dream house by the sea. Suddenly, much of that could be snatched away. At her lowest ebb, she’s drawn into a love affair she didn’t see coming – but is taking the easiest road to happiness right for Delphie? Or is the future she’s meant to have one worth fighting for?

As a glorious summer with three weddings unfolds, Delphie gets a wealth of advice from those who care about her. But only she can decide what her next steps should be…

Sheila recently announced the title of her upcoming novel, WHAT EDEN DID NEXT, to be published by Headline in April 2022.

Praise for THREE WEDDINGS AND A PROPOSAL:

‘Great characters and many twists and turns make this page turner thoroughly enjoyable. A great read!’ — Katie Fforde

‘An involving, thought-provoking novel and a masterclass in storytelling. I was drawn in from page 1.’ — Sue Moorcroft

‘Reading a Sheila O'Flanagan novel always feels like sitting down for a cup of tea with a friend — she writes with such warmth and empathy.’ — Beth O’Leary, author of THE FLATSHARE

‘This novel sees Sheila O’Flanagan at her insightful best. It flows along naturally, with a plot that feels unforced. There’s great characterisation, natural dialogue, and a sprinkling of clever one-liners. Overall, it’s a very smart feminist novel, examining the choices women have to make, and the obstacles still put in their way.’ — Irish Examiner

‘A very unusual and insightful novel, about a career girl not wanting to settle for second best in her romantic life - or anything. Packed full of interesting characters who you really care about. It was very true to life about how hard it is, still, to be taken seriously as a woman in business, and yet Delphie manages to roll with the punches and navigate her life staying true to herself. This was a refreshing, unapologetic, funny, absorbing page-turner which Ieft me wanting to read another Sheila O’Flanagan novel straight away!’ — Emily Gunnis

About the author:

Sheila O’Flanagan is an international bestselling novelist, with more than 9 million copies sold. Numerous novels have been immediate and long-lasting No 1s in Ireland, UK Top 10 Sunday Times Bestsellers and Kindle Bestsellers, and she is published in more than twenty languages around the world. She is the recipient of the prestigious Irish Tatler Literary Woman of the Year Award.

Visit Sheila’s website.

Follow Sheila on Instagram and Twitter.