A year ago, it was Louise Nealon's book deal that made the headlines. As of this week it is the book itself getting the attention and rightly so. While seeing 'Snowflake' finally in print is the fulfilment of a dream for the first-time author, she says there was no undue stress added by it being optioned so far in advance of publication. After all she says, 'pressure is for tyres’. Wary of lazy comparisons with other writers (perhaps one in particular) because she of her gender and age, Louise asks why should they be lumped in together due to these shallow similarities? Comparisons are unhelpful.

Louise Nealon

Breda Brown of the ‘Inside Books’ podcast is in studio to look at the genre of Irish historical fiction, something that is enjoying a high critical profile at the minute. So, what’s the attraction for readers, how much research is involved for writers and what happens when they get something wrong? Well, there’s always one isn’t there?

Breda Brown

Anne Griffin returns to The Book Show to answer questions from The Vine Club about her brand-new second novel, ‘Listening Still’. We learn about Jeannie Masterson, her family of undertakers and the thin line between this world and the next. And yes, Anne talks about the pressure of writing that difficult (or not) second book. Also, a very happy 30th Anniversary to The Vine Club.

Anne Griffin

If you would like to volunteer your book group to take part in a future episode, drop us a line to bookshow@rte.ie