Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Tralee, Ireland and now live in Newport, South Wales, United Kingdom.
As a child I spent his summer holidays in Listowel, Co Kerry where my uncle Moss Scanlon had a Harness Maker’s shop. It was a magnet for all sorts of colourful characters, and it was there that my love of storytelling was kindled by the likes of John B. Keane and Bryan MacMahon, who often wandered in for a chat and bit of jovial banter.
The numerous short stories I’ve written based on those characters have been published in various anthologies and eMags over the years.
I have self-published twenty of them in a collection called Dreamin’ Dreams and also as stand-alone stories with Amazon.com.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Pale Moon Was Rising is a murder mystery set in Ireland during WW2. It is a follow up on my novel Gallows Field, where we’re introduced to Eamon Foley who is in hiding after witnessing his boss getting shot over a missing ledger.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I always write the first draft in longhand in a lined school jotter. Then after I’ve typed it all into my laptop I print it off and edit it again. And again, until it looks like a book I would like to read myself.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Andy McNab, Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves have all influenced me because of their amazing writing style.
The books that I’ve loved since I was knee high to the neighbour’s rabbit are The Wind in the Willows, Treasure Island, Little Nell, and any book I could sneak out of the library under my jumper.
What are you working on now?
My almost completed new story Footsteps is also set in Ireland during the 1967 Summer of Love. A young American hitch-hiker wanders into a brutal and terrifying situation when visiting a beautiful but isolated seaside town in 1960s Ireland. Who are the sinister men in the dark car? Are they the shadows that are stalking her on the beach? And who is the dark, mysterious figure hovering by the water’s edge?
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
using professional people like Awesome Book Promotions usually pay off.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Chances are you’re not going to be the next big thing in publishing – but don’t let that stop you from dreaming you will. As long as you enjoy telling stories, do it. But don’t let it become a chore and take over your life. Enjoy yourself, be proud of what you write and always remember your writing will not please everyone. So write the kind of stuff you would like to read and put it out there for the world to see. And be responsive to feedback. Even criticism.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It took Edison over one thousand attempts to create the first light bulb. He said it made him more determined to prove he could succeed in the end. Always believe you will succeed.
What are you reading now?
Val McDermid Insidious Intent.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have several ideas for Eamon Foley, now that he’s joined the gardai.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible, The Late Great Planet earth, The Wind in the Willows, Treasure Island
Author Websites and Profiles
Brendan Gerad O’Brien Website
Brendan Gerad O’Brien Amazon Profile
Brendan Gerad O’Brien Author Profile on Smashwords
Brendan Gerad O’Brien’s Social Media Links
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