Inspired by the Atlantic and the Irish landscape, ATU alumnus publishes his first collection of short stories
ATU graduate Eoin Leydon O'Connor and emerging author published his first-ever short story collection, Rural Tales, in paperback and Kindle eBook on Amazon in June. His debut collection is comprised of eight dark paranormal tales influenced by growing up in Strandhill, Sligo, on the Atlantic.
Through his stories, the author wanted to represent his experience growing up in the west of Ireland, in a rural setting, which he views as dark, gothic and mysterious.
He started writing fiction in his second year of college at Atlantic Technological University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Literature and a Masters's Degree in Creative Practice, specialising in creative writing. His work was previously published work in the Scrimshaw Journal, a collaborative journal of poetry, prose and visual art by ATU students, staff and alumni.
Eoin said: "ATU gave me the confidence to self-publish. If it weren't for that course, I wouldn't have had my book published today. It was inspiring to be in the company of writers such as Una Mannion and Alice Lyons, receiving their encouragement and support."
Wanting to have his work published ever since he was a teenager, he took matters into his own hands, helped by his friend and contemporary romance author Lyndsey Gallagher who has a lot of experience in self-publishing.
As 60% of book buyers research on Amazon and other websites before purchasing*, Eoin hopes his audience- the horror and paranormal genre lovers- will also find him online.
He dedicates time to writing even when he doesn't feel like it and surrounds himself with like-minded people, as "writing can be solitary".
"Once my regular job is done, I sit down and write. Some days I can be very productive, and others not, but it's important I write every day and try to stick with the routine", he said.
Eoin is currently working on his second collection of short stories.
Discover more about Eoin's fiction writing, his literary influences and the difference between literary fiction and genre fiction on our ATU Podcast, available on Spotify.
*Amazon and Kantar books path to purchase the study, March 2021