Newtown author donal ryan to launch new book

The Nenagh Bookshop has secured a major coup with news that the renowned author Donal Ryan will launch his first short story collection in the Friar Street store on Wednesday, September 23rd.
'A Slanting of the Sun' is Donal Ryan's third book, following on from his highly popular novels, 'The Spinning Heart' and 'The Thing About December'.
The proprietor of the bookshop, John Ryan, said he was delighted that Donal, a native of Newtown had chosen an independent bookshop in the town he grew up in for the launch of his latest book.
A delighted John Ryan told The Guardian: 'Donal previously chose our bookshop to launch his second novel 'The Thing About December'. We had a very good crowd at that event and we are hoping, also, for a good attendance for the launch of 'A Slanting of The Sun'.'
John added: 'Donal has spoken about our store on national radio. He really appreciates the role that independent bookshops play, and, of course, he probably chose us because he is from Nenagh.'
On the evening of the launch, the author will perform readings from his new book and sign copies. 'We will be having a wine reception to mark the event and all are welcome,' said John.
Donal Ryan holds the 2015 Arts Council Writer in Residence Fellowship at the University of Limerick, where, with Joseph O'Connor and Giles Foden, he teaches creative writing.
Donal's debut novel, 'The Spinning Heart', was voted Irish Book of the Year in 2012, was a number one bestseller in Ireland and a Boston Globe bestseller in the US. The book won the Guardian First Book Award in 2013, was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and the Desmond Elliott Prize, and was a finalist for the 2014 IMPAC Literary Award.
Donal's second novel, 'The Thing About December', was also a number
one bestseller. It was shortlisted for Novel of the Year at the Irish Book
Awards 2013 and the Kerry Group Novel of the Year for 2014, and has
been nominated for the 2015 IMPAC Literary Award.
Donal's work has been translated into several languages. Like the acclaimed Nenagh author, The Nenagh Bookshop, where he is launching his latest book, has won its own accolades. Last year it was selected as one of a small number of independent bookshops in Ireland honoured for its quest to get children reading. The scheme, under which the local bookshop received funding was founded by the best selling author James Patterson, founded to incentivise
owners of independent bookshops in Ireland and the UK to devise ways to get more reading by children. Much to the joy of the owner of the local bookshop, news has just emerged that his premises is listed among 69 successful independent bookshops across the UK and Ireland – and just nine in Ireland – to be allocated a share of £110,000 in grants under the same scheme this year.

The launch will take place at 7pm.