Emma Langford and Ann Blake chat with Limerick author Gráinne O’Brien, whose first book A Limerick Fairytale was published by The O’Brien Press in spring 2023 and debuted as a bestseller. Gráinne has spent the last decade of her life sharing her love of books and reading with children. This book is inspired by them.

Gráinne holds an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Limerick, and she spent ten years as the children’s buyer of O’Mahony’s Booksellers before moving to join Kenny’s Bookshop and Art Gallery. She has taught creative writing workshops at third level.

In 2014, she co-founded Silver Apples Magazine, which has gone on to publish many talented emerging writers. She received Irish Arts Council Agility Awards in both 2021 and 2022. She is represented by Sallyanne Sweeney from MMB Creative.

As the founder of Rontu Literary Services, Gráinne’s philosophy is that feedback on writing shouldn’t be coarsely critical but rather respectful of the work that’s been presented with constructive critiques. She’s been published, and rejected, many times. Rontu grew from the ashes of her own negative experiences in the publishing world.

Gráinne says that Limerick is like a “scrappy little sister” and that powerful women are “her brand”. In the episode, she talks about her favourite childhood books, moving from California to Bunratty in her formative years, drawing on her teens at Villiers School to write her forthcoming “verse novel”, and what other writers should do when looking to get published. You can find out more about Gráinne here.

You can listen to the Limerick Lady podcast episode #54 here.

You can purchase A Limerick Fairytale here.

The Limerick Lady is a grassroots movement based in Limerick, Ireland, with a focus on promoting conversation around gender, visibility, gender balance, and the arts. It was founded in 2016 by award-winning (and -losing) singer-songwriter Emma Langford, who hosts the podcast alongside fellow award-winning (and -losing) Limerick woman, theatre-maker, and musician Ann Blake. The Limerick Lady is sponsored by Ormston House and supported by the Limerick Post.

Image courtesy of the Limerick Lady Podcast.