Rathangan’s Lynn Buckle launches debut novel

Rathangan author Lynn Buckle has just launched her debut literary novel The Groundsmen, which is published by Epoque Press.

The first launch took place last Wednesday in Dublin at The Irish Writers Centre, but Lynn will also be holding a local event at at Kildare town library on Friday, October 26, where she will be signing copies and reading excerpts.

A keen member of the library service Lynn is keen to point out that her book would never have reached publication if it hadn’t been for the encouragement of her fellow scribes in Kildare library’s very own Wordsmiths’ Writers Group.

She began writing four years ago, and after some initial agents rejected her work she settled into the comfort of writing for the sake of enjoyment.

“It was a hobby that I just couldn’t stop,” she says of her newfound skill. But mixing with other writers and learning how to critique each other’s work enabled her to contextualise her stories and refine her writing style.

Clearly critics thought her efforts worthy as when award-winning author and journalist June Caldwell fêted her as “a fierce and fearless new voice in Irish writing”.

Following a flurry of interest in her work, offers started to flood in.

But creativity runs through Lynn’s veins, as she has been an artist for the last 30 years.

Originally an art historian, Lynn took to producing and exhibiting her own artwork alongside teaching art in secondary schools and in adult education before trying her hand with words.

Richly lyrical

The Groundsmen is a richly lyrical tale set in contemporary Dublin, a grim yet beautifully compelling escapist family drama.

Retellings of Greek mythology thread their way through it, hence Andromeda’s Galaxy gracing the cover. Oh and then there is little Cassie who thinks she is a dog called Blackie.

Readers are welcome to attend the launch in Kildare library on Friday, October 26, at 7pm.

This event is free but places are limited. Booking is required by phoning Kildare library.

The Groundsmen is now on sale from Waterstones, Amazon, Book Depository, Books.ie etc and all good bookshops.

Signed copies will also be available in Barker & Jones, Naas and at the launch event in Kildare town.