Latest Johnny Magory story now in Kilcullen
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| Emma-Jane Leeson and Layla, with Dawn and some of the crew at Woodbine Books. |
When Emma-Jane Leeson brought her latest Johnny Magory story to Woodbine Books on Saturday, it was the 13th in the author's series of children's books, writes Brian Byrne.
But Spraoi by the Sea is also the latest publication made possible by a 'total lifestyle change' which came when she left her human resources position in Bord Na Mona five years ago, to become a full time writer. "That changed everything," she says. "It meant I could concentrate on the writing. I could set up a routine, set myself deadlines. And I could spend more time with my children."
Those same children are the reason Johnny Magory made it into printed words and pictures in the first place, as Emma-Jane adapted some of the stories which her own father had told her as a young child. She turned one of them into a book just for the family — Johnny Magory in the Magical Wild — but it escaped from the wild around Ballynafagh Lake near Clane where Emma-Jane lives. As have all the succeeding ones, that book introduced a range of wildlife characters written to bring the magic of nature to her children Lily and Evan, and eventually to youngsters all over Ireland.
Spraoi by the Sea is not Johnny's first expedition outside Ballynafagh Lake and its related woodlands. "During lockdown, he made his way all around Ireland, exploring the Irish myths and stories, and meeting new wildlife friends."
Through the journey from bedtime stories to a now-large range of books, Lily and Evan were the touchstones as to whether Emma-Jane was doing things correctly. "They were always the first 'crash test dummies', giving me advice on the writing, and what would be nice to write about." But since both of them are now in their late and mid-teens, much of the these days advice is coming from their 8-year-old sister Leyla. Not that Lily and Evan are out of a job — "the other night Lily was critiquing the work I've done on a novel I'm writing."
The novel is a new departure, an idea having developed from a writing class that Emma-Jane did some time ago. "I didn't do anything with it at the time, but now moving on from picture books and chapter books to a novel, it's really fun."
There are other things happening too — a longtime dream of bringing the Johnny Magory stories to the TV screen is also in development. And there is a growing line of related child-friendly initiatives which include toys and games, children's entertainment events, and a Journal for Kids.
But that doesn't mean abandoning Emma-Jane's and Johnny's beloved Ballynafagh. The expanding business and the required extra heads and hands are operating from a converted container beside the lake — there's even a roof terrace for a break on fine days.
The success of the venture means that Emma-Jane is now in demand not just in bookshops all around Ireland, she is also called on for other events. "I've been invited to Bloom in Dublin to do a big Johnny Magory thing, and also to the Kaleidoscope music festival. It's incredible."
Some things don't change, though. "Luckily I'm an early riser, so I can get up and do things before the madness of the school runs. After that it's a day of work, I try to write every morning." With Johnny sneaking in from time to time to try and get taken for another spin in Twizzie the camper-van, the real-life version of which is conveniently parked outside.
A spin that inevitably will happen. "Johnny is out there now. People know about him, and there are children telling me they can't wait for the next adventure."
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