SHARON GUARD and JUNE O’SULLIVAN read from their debut novels ASSEMBLING AILISH and THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER’S WIFE, both published by Poolbeg Press.
The reading will be followed by an open mic.
SHARON GUARD grew up in, and still lives in, Dublin. She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Limerick. Her work has appeared in New Irish Writing, SWERVE magazine, The Ogham Stone and the Washing Windows anthologies. She won the Molly Keane Creative Writing Award in 2020 and her story Artifice was shortlisted for the RTÉ Short Story Competition 2024. Her debut novel, Assembling Ailish, is published by Poolbeg Press.
Praise for ASSEMBLING AILISH:
A gripping and skilful debut from a hugely talented storyteller. JOSEPH O’CONNOR
Assembling Ailish is a beautiful and important novel, an incisive, insightful study of childhood, motherhood, obligation, guilt, and the impossibility of true freedom from the circular pain of existence, but all lit by a blaze of love and hope. Sharon Guard is an extraordinary writer. DONAL RYAN
A gripping and skilful debut from a hugely talented storyteller. JOSEPH O’CONNOR
Uplifting and powerful – a stunning debut from a gifted new voice. FERDIA MAC ANNA
An evocative story from a fresh new voice about life, love, hard-won wisdom and learning to forgive. MARTINA DEVLIN
JUNE O’SULLIVAN lives on an island in Co. Kerry. Her writing has appeared in the The Ogham Stone Journal, The York Literary Review, Seaside Gothic, The Storms Journal, The Waxed Lemon and Sonder. She is a recent graduate of the MA in Creative Writing at the University of Limerick. Her debut novel, The Lighthouse Keeper’s Wife is published by Poolbeg Press.
Praise for THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER’S WIFE:
On such a tiny stage, a rock in the ocean, June presents an epic story of love, loss, betrayal, heartbreak and survival. This is a stunning debut. DONAL RYAN
A powerful & evocative debut historical novel with many resonances for our own world. JOSEPH O’CONNOR
A powerful, poignant story of love, loss, motherhood with characters so vivid they live and breathe well beyond the page. It is a truly beautiful piece of storytelling. FIONA SCARLETT