Alan McMonagle is an award-winning Galway-based writer, with loads of short stories, radio plays and a couple of novels to his name. His latest novel, Laura Cassidy's Walk Of Fame, was published by Picador in March 2020 - an unfortunate time for marketing a new work, it being the outset of a global pandemic and all. Caroline read it over one weekend when she was ill with COVID-19, and protagonist Laura's relatable, hilarious delusions and fresh, funny voice provided a welcome distraction at that difficult time.

They talk about the entirely of the novel-writing process: from initial stirrings to cranking it out, through the editing and publishing stages and beyond, as well as the never-ending benefits of making genuine relationships with other artists, as demonstrated by Alan’s valuable, lifelong correspondence with Pat McCabe. He clues Caroline in on his big secret to finishing a novel - listen to the episode to find out what it is!

Find out all about Alan and his work on his website https://www.alanmcmonagle.com

Get Laura Cassidy's Walk Of Fame on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laura-Cassidys-Walk-Fame-McMonagle/dp/1509829881/

Laura reviewed in The Irish Times: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/laura-cassidy-s-walk-of-fame-a-boulevard-of-broken-dreams-1.4189442

Connect with Alan on Twitter: mcmonaglewriter

Connect with Caroline on Twitter: carolinezoids + on Instagram @caroline_swords_dublin