Peter Murphy was born in Killarney where he spent his first three years before his family was deported to Dublin, the Strumpet City. Growing up in the verdant braes of Templeogue, Peter was schooled by the De La Salle brothers in Churchtown where he played rugby for ‘The Wine and Gold’. He also played football (soccer) in secret!
After that, he graduated and studied the Humanities in Grogan’s under the guidance of Scot’s corner and the bar staff; Paddy, Tommy and Sean.
Murphy financed his education by working summers on the buildings sites of London in such places as Cricklewood, Camden Town and Kilburn.
Murphy also tramped the roads of Europe playing music and living without a care in the world. But his move to Canada changed all of that. He only came over for awhile – thirty years ago.
He took a day job and played music in the bars at night until the demands of family life intervened.
Having raised his children and packed them off to University, Murphy answered the long ignored internal voice and began to write.
He has no plans to make plans for the future and is happy to let things unfold as they do anyway.
LAGAN LOVE is his first novel.
You can visit his website at www.peterdamienmurphy.com or his blog at www.peterdamienmurphy.blogspot.com. Connect with him at Twitter at www.twitter.com/PeeloMurphy and Facebook at www.facebook.com/LaganLove.
Thank you for this interview, Peter. Can we start out by having you tell us briefly what your new book is about?
Lagan Love is a story of Love, Lust and Loss and all that we must pay for our dreams. It is set in Dublin in the mid nineteen-eighties when the future beckons and the past lurks in the shadows, preying upon the unsuspecting.
Janice has come from Toronto to find validation as an artist. Aidan, Dublin’s rising poet, sees a chance at redemption in their love but risks everything when he takes her behind the veil of the Celtic Twilight where Ireland’s mythologies slumber. And when Fate turns on them threatening to destroy the lovers, and everything they strive for, they are truly tested.
More and more authors are realizing the potential for sales that derives from virtual book tours. Can you tell us your personal reasons why you chose a virtual book tour to help get the word out about your new book?
While Lagan Love has received some excellent reviews it is, for the most part, unknown. I believe in the book and want to bring it to the attention of a wider audience.
Is this the first time you have heard of them? If not, where did you hear of them?
As a first-time published writer, everything is new to me and I try to learn as I go. I came across virtual book tours during hours of pouring through blog sites, etc.
As you know, a virtual book tour involves – among other things – interviews and guest posts. Do you prefer one over the other?
I like answering the questions interviews offer but, as a writer, I am more comfortable writing so guest posts can be more fun. But to be honest – I have no preference.
Some authors prefer an all review tour. Can you tell us if you are one of them and why or why not?
Reviews, particularly the good ones, are like music to the ears of a writer but it is good to interact too. It allows a writer to add that little bit more about themselves, or their work. Readers invest time and interest in the books they read and often want to know a little more. Virtual tours allow for this without having to get out and travel the miles that would be required otherwise. I was in a band for years and ‘going back on the road’ has little appeal.
What do you hope to achieve through promoting your book through a virtual book tour?
I hope to bring Lagan Love to the attention of as many people as possible. I also want people to know a little more about me, the writer. (The other parts of my life are locked up in a safe somewhere but may see the light of day in future books!)
Do you promote online through other means? Website? Blog?
Yes, my website is http://www.peterdamienmurphy.com
I also blog at http://peterdamienmurphy.blogspot.com/ and post updates at http://www.facebook.com/laganlove
On occasion I ‘tweet’ at http://www.twitter.com/peelomurphy
Who maintains your website/blog?
Sedulous Simplicity: and with a name like that you have to be impressed!
What are your experiences with offline booksignings? Do you have much luck selling your book through that method?
I have not done any offline book signings as yet but I have been told that it is, in business terms – a very labour-intensive way of doin things. However, I might give it a try and let you know.
Here’s a fun question. If money were no object, how would you promote your book?
That’s easy! I would put the band back together and do a concert somewhere large but with good acoustics and give free copies to everyone who didn’t clap along with the songs!
Thank you for this interview, Peter. Do you have any final words?
Yes! I would like to thank you for letting me drop by and don’t forget to pick up your copy of Lagan Love before they are all gone!