Friday, April 29, 2022

When the Light Goes Out

 

"When the Light Goes Out"  - the book wot I wrote - is finally out. It was, to all intents and purposes, finished last August but with typical arrogance I thought publishers would be queuing up to print it, but sadly they weren't, possibly because its not very good. After realisation dawned that nobody was going to bite, I decided to publish it myself but Lulu has recently revamped their self-publishing site and it took me ages to figure out the formatting etc. But anyway, it's out now, thank God.
It is a lighthouse book with a difference. It tells the story of lightkeeping in Ireland from 1786 to 1972 through the fatalities that occurred to Irish Lights personnel and their families while on duty. In case that sounds like 'unrelenting gloom' as one publisher mentioned to me, I have tried to write the book in an entertaining manner, as much as the subject matter allows. All of the cases in the book - which are presented chronologically - are the ancestors of people alive today, many of whom I was able to contact. Universally they were supportive, delighted that their long-forgotten (or, in some cases, half-forgotten) ancestor should be brought back to life, in print, anyway.
So the book, which runs to 85,000 words, is a history, of sorts, of lightkeeping in this country, it serves as a roll-call of those who died in service, it shines a light (sorry) on some of the lesser-known lighthouses around their coasts and it is a collection of human-interest, real-life yarns. Or, at least, that is the intention.
Books are available to order from the sidebar to the right of this page (if viewing on a phone, you'll need to scroll to the bottom and select Web Version to view the sidebar) 
To keep costs down, books going to the island of Ireland will be despatched by myself, but anywhere else in the world, I will get Lulu to send. (This is because postage from Ireland is ridiculously expensive and Lulu, with their many printing presses around the world can post much more cheaply) 
I hope you enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed writing it. I just hope the number of errors are at a minimum and none of them are major ones!
Any questions, drop me a line at gouldingpeter@gmail.com
Pete, April 29th 2022

13 comments:

  1. What a wonderful achievement and as for "having to self publish" can I just say I would strongly encourage it. Congratulations Pete

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    1. Many thanks Andrew. I think its more relief I feel than a sense of achievement!

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  2. Well done Pete. Looking forward to reading it.

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  3. We’ll done! Will have to get a copy!

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  4. Congratulations Pete on a great achievement.

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  5. How can you purchase

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    1. Books are available to order from the sidebar to the right of this page (if viewing on a phone, you'll need to scroll to the bottom and select Web Version to view the sidebar)

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  6. Just bought your book, you’re an exceptional talented writer, really enjoyed reading your lighthouse posts this evening. I’m addicted to lighthouses! I’m lucky enough to have a view of the spitbank and roaches point lighthouses at night. Regards Eamonn Leahy

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  7. I've been reading your blog for a while now. My father was a lighthouse keeper, stationed at quite a few different lighthouses, including Poer Head, Fanad Head, Shrove (Inishowen), Rosses Point, Ferris Point, and Ballycotton. He died while on duty at Ballycotton lighthouse in 1981. I will have to try and get your book. Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

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    1. If you're dad is who I think he is, then he must also have served on Eagle Island, in which case I would love to talk to you!! As regards the book, I drew a line at 1972 because I didn't want to upset anyone, so your dad doesn't feature, so I'm afraid he isn't in the book. But please get in touch gouldingpeter@gmail.com Pete

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