A little something for those still debating whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie.

Time for my own seasonal tradition. Gather round now to bear witness to an artefact from 2006, long before bad copywriting could be blamed on a computer. Behold, if ye dare, a corporate brochure that attempts to describe the wonder that is Riverdance. (Goes well with a painkiller.)

The 2025 Headline of the Year Nominees 🧵

Highly recommend watching the new Knives Out in 3 parts, to allow yourself time to try to solve the mystery in between. Interactive tv!

Not a very popular post. I can take solstace in the two likes.

I’m not saying I was tired this morning, but literally only one of my eyes opened. I had to lift the other eyelid by hand. I’m at the stage of manually operating my eyelids now, apparently.

Forgive me if I think “The boyfriend jean of the eyebrow world” is a bit of a strained metaphor. Although I’m very happy to learn how to say this in French: “Le jean boyfriend”.

Teenager with a puppy off the lead in the neighbourhood. Dog jumps all over me. I tolerate the first minute. But my coat is getting muddy from muddy paws. Me: “Will you call her? She should be on a lead.” Teenage boy: “Respectfully, shut up.”

Overheard in the supermarket. Two teenagers. 1: 'Where's Dad?' 2 (with ineffable weariness): 'In the cheese aisle, having the time of his life.'

What happened? Did he fail to deliver Ronins 1 through 46?

"It’s harder to date. Harder to think about having children. It’s harder to come to your own conclusions about what you earnestly want from life. It’s harder to realise who you are. It’s impossible to feel as though you are meeting your potential." This week's column, more personal than usual.

I wonder if real Irish filmmakers know that Udárás na Gaeltachta are not only running a competition for “AI filmmaking”, but have decided to name it after “storytelling”. Ffs. filmfreeway.com/AnTograScealai

A company director being pursued for €765,000 following the collapse of her packaging firm has been using artificial intelligence to “churn out reams” of legal papers, the High Court has heard. One AI-assisted affidavit cited case law that did not exist. www.independent.ie/business/iri...

My Christmas present to myself! I love the title of this day-long session for writers with the wise and wonderful @jancarsonwrites.bsky.social at the @irishwriterscentre.bsky.social .

Discount on signed Tuesdays are Just as Bad for the festive season! Read what many are calling a "book with words in it".

Current and near-future reading plans!

Is anybody watching Patriot? I am obsessed with this show! It’s so weird, disguised as a genre show. Much like this promo picture actually - on the surface it’s one thing, but beneath it’s something else entirely. And the music is phenomenal.

Amazing!

Back on my bullshit. This is my annual post questioning who in their right mind would broadcast a TOY SHOW that STARTS at 9:30pm???

Just a remind that I'm running a six-week illustration course after Christmas – and the Irish Writers Centre in Dublin does gift vouchers! @irishwriterscentre.bsky.social #SpéirGhorm #SpeirGorm irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/book...

Exciting News!!! Belfast launch for #FewAndFarBetween will be Tuesday 7th April Dublin Launch Thursday 9th April More info to come and more exciting events dates too. Currently taking bookings for festivals and events from April 7th onwards.

Ooh, another episode of ‘Jan’s Jaunts’ just dropped! (JJ is the fictional comedy series based on JC’s real-life travel adventures, and misadventures.)

So delighted for @chaptersbookstore.bsky.social ! Family-owned, independent AND on de Northside! Will be book shopping there later today!

I've written a novel, Experts in a Dying Field. It's out on Penguin Sandycove in June. It's about about a band and a tragedy & art for art's sake & aging & loss & community & Dublin. There's a fox in it. & sheet music. The beautiful cover's by Jack Smyth. You can preorder: linktr.ee/expertsinady...

Thrilled to learn that Chaos Theory (my debut novel) is shortlisted for the Eyelands Book Awards 2025! It’s an international award based in Greece. There were entries from 33 countries. I think mine is the only finalist from Ireland. First post-publication nomination. Delighted!

Stuck in traffic for ages, enough time to notice the driver in front of us, whose reaction times were dead slow and they blocked two roundabouts. Why? First of all they took a video call, then they watched a bunch of TikTok videos. Phone on the dashboard. Surely this is illegal? Could I report this?

Back submitting to journals again...it's a strange business this writing life...expecting rejection while tentatively hoping for a perfect match. Tinder for poets.

Chaos Theory, my debut romcom, is now available from libraries across Ireland! Remember, if your local library doesn’t have a book, they can order it for you from another library anywhere in the country. It’s a great system and service. @dublincitylibs.bsky.social #lovelibraries #irishlibraries

Is your child too carefree? This Christmas, why not give the gift of nightmares with these special toys…

Publisher just told me that ‘Chaos Theory’ is doing great in audiobook format. Especially in American libraries - nearly 1,000 audiobook downloads by US library users in September! Was not expecting this at all! Cheers to everyone who has supported this book and especially to the librarians!

Just a few tickets left for this event tomorrow in Ballyogan Library for @dublinbookfest.bsky.social I'll be chatting to Sharon Guard and Caroline Madden about their debut novels. Booking link below.

(Springsteen voice) "Rich man wanna be king/ Poor man wanna be rich/ You dropped us in the meat grinder/ Dylan you son of a bitch"

A real test for politicians and gardaí. There's been a years-long campaign of arson/attempted arson at IPAS centres - even buildings rumoured to be considered for asylum seekers. We've had far-right instigated riots in our capital, at CityWest and Coolock; arson at TD's property... (1/2)

In case you were wondering how many toys you can bring onto the airplane…

Had a great time visiting Carrickmacross Library in County Monaghan to talk about my debut romcom, Chaos Theory, and all things romance fiction. Thanks to everyone who came out to see me and to the library staff for facilitating such a nice visit. Love libraries!

Thanks for having me! A lovely event all round, very eclectic! Highly recommend to anyone looking for an evening of fun and varied new writing, from across Europe.

TFW you’ve signed up to do a reading from your book and then you remember a few minutes beforehand that one of the characters is a robot and you’re going to have to do a robot voice. 🤖🙊😭

One place left for the online salon tonight! Join 50 writers from across the globe and an amazing line-up of readers, incl @taniahershman.bsky.social @kazbarwrites.bsky.social @sylvialeatham.bsky.social @sjfrideswide.bsky.social @donalconaty.bsky.social and more! All hosted by @kiklodge.bsky.social

Me: mmm, is this too highbrow a reference for a children's book? Better take it out. Sesame Street:

Good god, The Mastermind, really? Never has a film that promised so much delivered so little. After an intriguing 40 minutes, the movie ran out of plot, ideas, characterisation and just interesting scenes. It had no back story, no character motivations, no resolution. Frustrating & disappointing.

I’m just a girl, standing in front of a national media, asking it to please please not hyperfocus on spoiled votes today. Spoiled votes, like their voters, should be ignored. At best a footnote.

Doing lots of book talks to primary school children at moment. New book “About Time” has been easiest to write a talk for - it’s jammed packed with science and history content that primary school students seem to find fascinating and I’ve never had so many questions from them afterwards.

Finishing out the month with two author events next week. I’ll be reading from Chaos Theory at the @saloneurope.bsky.social open mic night on Tuesday 28th. And I’m visiting Carrickmacross library for the launch of their romance fiction book club on Wednesday 29th. Should be fun!

Wow, just hanging out on the RTE.ie homepage! Thank you RTE Culture for featuring an excerpt from my debut novel, ‘Chaos Theory’, as part of #IrishBookWeek ! www.rte.ie/culture/2025...

This is tomorrow! Please join us for a glass of wine & a chat - I am supposed to be asking the questions, but really I am going to listen! Two incredibly interesting, intelligent, witty women with lots to say - what could be better?!

Yes! So good! Our daughter is 9 and the perfect age for it. She first saw it age 7 and was able for it, but now she loves it even more. Highly recommended as a family watch. I loved it too - funny, well written, good performances.

A wonderful response, and also appropriately spooky for the season! 🧌

I’m a day late but wanted to do a shoutout to an independent bookshop for #IrishBookWeek. @chaptersbookstore.bsky.social on Parnell Street in Dublin 1 is becoming so much more than a bookstore - they host cultural events several times a week & they champion a lot of the less famous creatives!

Had a great time at @molimuseum.bsky.social last night, recording a live podcast with @urchinette.bsky.social and Prof Paige Reynolds. We talked about our debut romcoms and all things romance fiction. Such fun! The Happy Ever After exhibition is still on and well worth a visit.