Happy Brithday Bram Stoker!

He would’ve been 165 today, not nearly approaching the age of his most famous protagonist. Google doodle’s have provided the entertainment for the day with a fabulously gothic drawing that looks straight out of a penny dreadful.

Google’s spooky doodle

Stoker himself was born in Dublin and was famously a theatre manager during his lifetime. He was better known for being an assistant to actor Henry Irving. Take note all ye assistants out there today.

The 100th anniversary of Dracula‘s publication was recently be celebrated all over the world, paying homage to the most famous vampire of all.

Oliver Jeffers- Picturebooks and Me

Australian born, but brought up in Belfast, author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers’ has achieved international recognition for his funny and moving storylines, all told through a very special blend of pictures and words. His latest book This Moose Belongs to Me, now out with Harper Collins Children’s Books, and is a witty and thought-provoking story, exploring the concept of ownership: “Wilfred owned a moose. He hadn’t always owned a moose. The moose came to him a while ago and he knew, just KNEW, that it was meant to be his. He thought he would call him Marcel.” Most of the time Marcel is very obedient, abiding by the many rules on How to Be a Good Pet. But one dark day, while deep in the woods, someone else claims the moose as their own…Is Marcel really Wilfred’s pet after all?

Oliver’s stories have reached children and adults all over the world, the unique humour capturing an international audience. At a recent event with Laureate Na Og, Niamh Sharkey, Oliver gave a rare insight into the humour and creativity he puts into his work. He also taught the assembled crowd just how to draw an original ‘Oliver Jeffers’ flying thing’.

Book Trailers- why wait for a movie?

So, in keeping with my new online fascination with film and fairy tale, I’ve decided to visit a topic which has been a long time fascination of mine: the not-so-humble book trailer.

Now in days of yore when a publisher wanted to advertise to me, they put up signs, posters, online notifications, and yes- occasionally- a tv advert showing me the book from every possible angle with a voice over in the  background telling me how good it is.

However, over the last few years a new sensation in book advertising has overwhelmed many publishers- both big and very tiny- and that is: The Book Trailer.

Mostly to be found in its native habitat on YouTube, the book trailer comes in many different forms. Some are simple voices, talking around the books. Across the Universe  employs this technique passably but  Miss Peregrine’s Home for Unusual Children  combines these to great effect.

Compare:

and contrast:

Wordlegs: embracing eBooks and the short story online

There is no doubt the short story is undergoing a revival, with writers of the form appearing in best seller lists more and more often in recent years. What with the rise of the eBook and electronic reading format, short stories have become the medium de jour. High quality writing short enough to read on a bus.

The marriage of these two formats was no clearer than at the launch of Wordlegs eBook 30 under 30. Both the launches in Dublin’s Banker’s and Galway’s Róisín Dubh were filled to breaking point with a community of writers and readers, passionate about short stories and poetry. The audience was treated to readings by a selection of the authors, each more satisfying than the last.

Wordlegs eBooks 30 under 30

Ebooks are here to stay

It looks like eBooks are here to stay. The increase in Irish sales shows the eBook going from strength to strength and if nothing changes 2012 will be the year of the eBook in Ireland.

“There’s been a consistent increase in the sales trend of our eBooks over the last year,” said Patrick Crowley, sales manager of Mercier Press.  “All of our eBooks are available across the eReader platforms but the majority are sold over Amazon for the Kindle”.

Beginnings and Introductions

Books art and culture inform us about our world and take us to place we have never had the opportunity to go ourselves. They are the closest thing we have to seeing through the eyes of other people.

By writing about art, culture and books I’ll be posting about developments in the industries that surround the arts. Most of my writing will center on  artistic events in Ireland but I will include reviews from international authors.

I will include news from the worldwide publishing industries and art community. I have a passion for the industry and want to share my various opinions and news.