The Reading Corner Newsletter

Hello Readers!

Tis the season! After two years of researching, writing, sweat, tears, chocolate, coffee, long nights, production, and anticipation, The Irish Girl finally launches on December 10! Based on the story of my paternal great-grandmother, Mary Agnes’s story will make a great holiday gift!

There are so many people to thank, all listed in the acknowledgments at the end of the novel, beginning with my 95-year-old author father Gerald F. Sweeney and my husband, D. Michael Barclay. Also my critique partners, early readers, peer readers, proofreaders, mapmaker, editorial and production team, marketing team, and others who assisted with research, forty people in all.

I can’t thank you all enough, especially my fearless publisher, Brooke Warner of She Writes Press. This is my fourth novel with SWP since 2016, and I owe a debt of gratitude to Brooke for taking me on in 2015 as a debut novelist and walking and talking me through the past (almost) ten years. Thanks a million, Brooke!

———————

For local readers in Washington State, please consider ordering The Irish Girl from your local bookstore, especially the bookstores hosting my events:

• Seaport Books in La Conner,
• Darvill’s on Orcas Island,
• Watermark Books in Anacortes,
• Village Books in Bellingham, and
• Griffin Bay Books on San Juan Island,

and/or wait until the event date and I’ll sign your books there. Looking forward to seeing many of you at the signings!

There are also copies of The Irish Girl at other Washington bookstores including Lopez Bookshop on Lopez Island, Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, and University Bookstore in Seattle.

For out-of-state readers, order at your local bookstore or online. And congrats to Julie Brinkley for winning a copy of The Irish Girl in exchange for sharing her holiday book wish list. I love her suggestions (all new titles to me) and all the curated suggestions sent by readers. I’m hoping for a book haul this holiday season (and I bought myself Elizabeth Strout’s newest, Tell Me Everything to get started on my holiday reading).

As you might imagine, it’s a very busy time here for me, so I’ll sign off with a heartfelt wish for a peaceful and happy holiday season for you and yours.

And, as always, and until next month, Happy Reading!

Ashley