Mayo to be well represented at An Post Irish Book Awards

MAYO will be well represented at the An Post Irish Book Awards next month after the shortlists were announced.

Sally Rooney has been short-listed for the Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year award.

Castlebar's Fiacre Ryan is shortlisted for the Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year award for his book, Speechless. The first book to be authored by an Irish non-verbal autistic person, Speechless relates Fiacre's remarkable life and brings his astounding poetry, social commentary, opinions and ideas to the speaking world.

Tertulia bookshop, which is based at the Quay in Westport, is in the running for the An Post Bookshop of the Year award.

The awards shortlist features a diverse mix of exceptional writing from new and established writers across 18 categories, including Novel of the Year, Children, Cookbook, Crime Fiction, Popular Fiction, Non-fiction, Sports, Lifestyle, Short Story, Irish language, Poem, Newcomer, Teen and Young Adult, Irish Published and Biography.

The public are being asked to cast their votes online for the best books of the year on the An Post Irish Book Awards website www.anpostirishbookawards.ie. All voters will be entered into a prize draw to win one of five €100 National Book Token vouchers. Voting is now open and closes on November 10.

Said Brendan Corbett, chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards: “This year’s shortlist, once again, displays the talent of Irish writers and exemplifies the diversity of Ireland’s literary culture. Each category is steeped with exceptional writing and truly deserving writers and authors, as well as publishers and booksellers.”