Patricia O’Reilly’s Non-Fiction

Writing is full of surprises.

One of my nicest was having a piece titled, Swimming with a Dolphin included in the Junior Certificate Take the Plunge anthology of English.

After moving from print journalism to radio work, a natural progression was non-fiction. My first book titled Dying with Love evolved from a radio documentary of the same name produced by RTE.

By then I was well and truly bitten by the book bug. After Writing for the Market and Earning Your Living from Home and Working Mothers, all of which received good reviews and sold relatively well, I determined to write a work of fiction.

‘Don’t,’ said the publisher who had published Working Mothers, ‘everyone thinks they can write fiction. Stick to what you know.’

Of course I didn’t listen. I went ahead with fiction. But my latest book is a return to non-fiction. Writing for Success evolved from the seminars, lectures I’ve given and writing groups I’ve worked with.

It is a loosely agreed statistic that about 35% of the population would like to become writers. With this in mind, I set out to research and write a practical guide outlining not only how to write in a proficient and accessible manner, but also how to get published and produced. I called in experts such as Roddy Doyle (novels), Mary Kenny (journalism, non-fiction), Anne Enright (short stories) and Siobhan Parkinson (childrens’) to pass on their tips.

Writing for Success is aimed at people wishing to write but not sure how to get started; those already writing and looking to get published; and individuals journaling, writing for posterity or as a form of therapy; as well as serving as an informational dip-in for professional writers.

This book covers the basics and answers the questions posed by aspiring writers. Included are suggestions on writing and editing to professional standard, features for newspapers and magazines, short stories, novels and non-fiction books; as well as talks, stories and plays for radio; also pitching and presentation. Be it grammar, stylistics, dealing with agents, interpreting a contract, or explaining the process a manuscript has to go through before publication, hopefully, it’s all here.

Reviews/Comments:

 ’A brilliant guide to writing, in my view.’ Joanna Keane O’Flynn, Chairperson Listowel Writers Week.

‘...might even prompt me to change careers.’ Bairbre Fleming, director UCD Adult Education

‘For all budding writers…Patricia O’Reilly’s Writing for Success is just for you.’ Metro 21 June 2006

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Working Mothers is for mothers of all ages, single or married, working through choice or necessity who are trying to balance motherhood with working outside the home, and for every woman considering it.’

Reviews:

A helpful, informative book for working parents, not just mothers.’ Irish Independent

…’tips for combining career and children…’ Sunday Business Post

‘A useful guide to plotting your path through pregnancy at work, maternity leave and getting back into the marketplace…’ Image

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What’s the good of a home if you’re never in it? Earning your Living from Home is a comprehensive manual for the aspiring or actual home-based entrepreneur.

Reviews:

‘A practical handbook for anyone who anyone who ever wanted to launch a new career from their livingroom, spare room or garden shed’ The Irish Times

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Writing for the Market makes it possible for aspiring writers to write what will sell by focusing on proven markets, detailing editors’ and publishers’ requirements.

Reviews:

‘The information, solid and down to earth is an economy investment which is sure to pay off..’ IMJ

‘ …an excellent aid to anyone who would like to get published’ Cork Examiner

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Some of the stories in Dying with Love are happy, more are sad, others are humorous – all are bitter sweet. Written around a series of case histories the book centres on the terminally ill who are dying at home.

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