This Week’s Feature Author Interview with
Píaras Ó Cíonnaoíth
Hi Píaras Ó Cíonnaoíth, welcome to the Indie Publishing Group website. Introduce yourself to us. Tell everyone who you are, where you’re from, what do you enjoy doing, hobbies and interests.
My name is Píaras Ó Cíonnaoíth and I’m a poet and author from Ireland. I write books for both children and adults. When I’m not writing I enjoy gardening and growing fruits. My dog Max enjoys taking me for walks every day and I review books for other authors to help them out.
When did you start writing and why?
I started writing when I was very young. I wrote my first song on the guitar when I was about twelve. Later it developed into poetry and stories. The only reason I can think of as to why I write is probably the desire to create something that other people will enjoy and benefit from.
Which is your favorite book you have written and what gave you the idea for it?
My favorite book is, Magic Poetry – A Collection Of Verses For Children Aged 3-103. It’s a collection of poems that I wrote over several decades. There is never a shortage of ideas as a central aspect of Irish folklore is the wealth of traditional beliefs and superstitions which have been held by Irish people over the centuries.
Looking back at my childhood in Ireland, I find it amazing that so many traditional superstitions and cures were believed in, alongside Catholic doctrines and the modern scientific world. Belief in these old superstitions is no longer as strong as it was in the days before modern science, but they still continue to be part of the richness and uniqueness of Irish culture.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
Since Ireland is steeped in mythology it wasn’t difficult to come up with a title!
Who helped you with the cover? Or did your design it yourself? What was your inspiration for your cover design?
I look for suitable illustrations and/or photographs from online websites and purchase the commercial license. I then send the title and subtitle of the book along with the illustration to a micro-job website like Fiverr and get a graphic designer to make my covers. It’s an affordable way of getting things done, but I’m looking forward to working with professional illustrators for future projects.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Some of my favorite authors are James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, and Ernest Hemingway. There’s too many to choose from but these are just a few.
Have you got anything you’re working on now?
I’m working on another book of short stories for children. I hope to have it finished in a few months.
If you could have any super powers what would they be?
I’m probably going to sound like Miss Universe here, but I’m going to have to say world peace. If I had a superpower that could rid the world of evil that would be a power worth having.
If you could travel to any location in the world where would you go?
I saw the Pyramids of Egypt about twenty years ago and I’d love to see them again.
Where do you hope to be in 5 years’ time?
I would hope that I am still writing, still enjoying it and hopefully have few bestsellers!
Thanks so much for taking the time to do an author interview. Take a minute and check Píaras Ó Cíonnaoíth out on the links below. Píaras Ó Cíonnaoíth’ book, Magic Poetry: Illustrated Children’s Verse for Ages 3-103, is available now on Amazon!
Píaras Ó Cíonnaoíth Twitter Account
Píaras Ó Cíonnaoíth Goodreads Author Page
Píaras Ó Cíonnaoíth Facebook Page
Píaras Ó Cíonnaoíth Amazon Author Page