Castlewellan author launching third book in her ‘Gael Song’ series
A LOCAL author’s newest book comes out this week.
Castlewellan author Shauna Lawless’s historical fantasy book, ‘The Land of the Living and the Dead’, is being released tomorrow (12 September).
The book is part of Shauna’s Gael Song series, the other two books being ‘The Children of Gods and Fighting Men’ and ‘The Words of Kings and Prophets’. It is following the same characters from the first two books and continuing their story.
“It is the third book in my Gael Song series, which follows the events of 10th and 11th century Ireland. This third book mostly revolves around the characters and events of the Battle of Clontarf, but as with the other books there is Irish mythology included too, with some characters being descended from the Tuatha Dé Danann and Fomorian tribes,” she said.
“Both those tribes are diminishing in terms of power, their gifts becoming weaker and there is differing opinions on how to deal with this. All in all, you can expect lots of tension and political manoeuvring as well as some epic battles.”
This newest book is available in hardback, as a Kindle e-book and as an audiobook and is available from most bookstores and online. The paperback version will be out in April 2025.
“I always champion local bookstores, but if you are unable to venture out, you can also order on Amazon,” Shauna said.
A book launch event for the new book is being held tomorrow evening, 12 September, at 7pm at Waterstones, located at Fountain Street in Belfast. Shauna will be there meeting people and the new book will be available to purchase.
“It’s always a great event and there should be some wine and soft drinks available too. Everyone is welcome!” she said.
Shauna (40) also published two novellas, books that are shorter than traditional novels, this year. Called ‘Dreams of Fire’ and ‘Dreams of Sorrow’, they are prequels to her Gael Song series.
“At the minute, these are only e-books. However, a third novella is due to come out in March next year. My publisher is planning to print a combined physical edition of all three novellas at this time as well. So, if you prefer to hold a physical book, you will be able to read all three novellas in March 2025,” Shauna said.
“I have really enjoyed writing the novellas and I hope to write a few more for the second trilogy.”
For fans of Shauna’s fiction books, there are more to come.
Besides the other novella, there are three more books set to come out in the same fictional setting as the Gael Song novels.
“I’ve just signed another trilogy deal with my publisher (Head of Zeus/Bloomsbury USA). This trilogy is also set within the Gael Song world but during a different time period,” she said.
“I’m currently writing the fourth book in the Gael Song series. As soon as that is finished, I’ll be starting book number five.”
Shauna said that she has had a busy year as an author since her second book came out.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind year to be honest, but all very exciting. In terms of other writing, I’ve handed in a story for Warhammer, which I believe is being published soon,” she said.
“And I’m also writing another novel which is unrelated to my main series. I have no idea if that will even be published as it is a completely different genre, but it’s been fun to write when I get stuck on my Gael Song story and need to do something different for a day or two.”
Shauna also puts out an email newsletter each month for those interested in her books and literary topics.
“I have a monthly newsletter where I talk about my writing and what I’m up to, if anyone is interested in more regular updates. You can find the link for it at my website www.shaunalawless.com. I talk about what I’m writing, what events I’m attending, cover reveals for upcoming stories and what I’m reading,” she said.
At the end of 2023, Shauna was nominated for a British Fantasy Award in the category of Best Newcomer, for her first book, ‘The Children of Gods and Fighting Men’. Although she did not win, she said it was “lovely” to be nominated.
Besides writing, Shauna also is an avid reader.
“My favourite authors are Hilary Mantel, George R.R. Martin and Jane Austen. I do love to read a lot. Christopher Buehlman, Fonda Lee, Nicholas Binge, Mark Lawrence, Anthony Ryan, Hannah Kaner and Christopher Ruocchio are some current favourites. If you are into fantasy and science fiction, you should give them a go,” she said.
Shauna is a past pupil of St Mary’s Primary School in Newcastle and Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch. She also has a degree in Accountancy from Ulster University. She and her family currently live in Castlewellan.
“Me and my family love it here. Having the park so close is just fantastic and my mum and dad still live in Newcastle, so it’s handy for going to see them too,” she said.
Shauna said that she usually writes her stories during the day on her computer when her children are in school, but often uses paper for “jotting out ideas and trying to link them together.”
Shauna said she really enjoys all the stages of writing a book, which can take her from 10 months to a year to complete.
“The drafting stage is the scariest part because I’m never sure if the story will work, however, it’s fun having so much freedom.
“Once I have a final draft then it can take me quite a long time to edit it. While some people don’t enjoy this stage so much, I really do. It’s always nice to polish something that’s almost ready.
“But, of course, that is usually when my deadline is looming and so that can create its own drama.”