GUILDHALL PRESS
launch debut novel
McCauley’s War
by
Charlie Herron
Corinthian Lounge, City Hotel, Derry
Friday 16 July at 7:30pm
Guildhall Press is pleased to announce the launch of McCauley’s War, a thoroughly entertaining debut novel from well-known Derryman Charlie Herron.
Set in Derry in September 1941, McCauley’s War is written through the eyes of the streetwise nine-year old Dickie McCauley, who dominates his friends and constantly outwits his elders. Torn between the foolish, drunken dreams of his father and the realities of family life in wartime Derry, Dickie’s antics with his motley gang bring unwanted attention to the doorstep of his long-suffering mother. These innocent scrapes, ultimately complicated by much darker deeds and local politics, lead to terrible consequences for the close-knit McCauley family.
McCauley’s War is a poignant and compelling story, told with an absorbing mix of humour, insight and affection. Dickie McCauley’s war is hard fought – and he takes no prisoners.
Hot on the tail of Derry finding out if it has secured the honour as the UK City of Culture 2013 this Thursday 15 July, Charlie Herron is the seventh author aged over seventy years of age to debut with Guildhall Press.
Born in Derry, but with strong Donegal connections, Charlie grew up in the Marlborough area of the city and was for many years principal of Foyle View School. Charlie’s love of spinning tall tales has stood him in good stead as a stalwart of the Colmcille Debating Society and as a four-time winner of the ‘prestigious’ Baron Von Munchausen competition. More recently known for his storytelling on local radio, Charlie continues to broadcast with storylines never far removed from his native Derry and Donegal.
On retirement, Charlie took to creative writing as a hobby and has never looked back as he explains: “McCauley’s War has been a pleasure to write. It began as a short story, but the characters took on a life of their own and I couldn’t put down the pen. It is a different approach to writing for the radio or short stories. You have to develop the characters more and keep track of the various plot lines while always trying to retain the reader’s interest. But I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and learned a lot from working with the team at Guildhall Press. They helped greatly and I am thankful to them, and the Arts Council, for giving me this opportunity. Here’s hoping everyone enjoys reading it!”
McCauley’s War by Charlie Herron is published by Guildhall Press. Available from local bookshops and www.ghpress.com priced at £6.95. The author is available for interview. For further details, please contact:
Guildhall Press, Unit 15 Ráth Mór Business Park, Bligh’s Lane, Derry BT48 0LZ, N Ireland. T: 028 71 364413; E: info@ghpress.com; W: www.ghpress.com
Supporting Derry for City of Culture 2013 at www.cityofculture2013.com
GUILDHALL PRESS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF PUBLISHING 1979 – 2009