'Effort, commitment, dedication' commended at book launch

Only a writer can understand just how much effort another writer would have put into their first book, work that was acknowledged last evening by best-selling author Hazel Gaynor when she officially launched the first publication from former CPC student James Groome, writes Brian Byrne. She was presenting his fantasy novel, A Grimm Tale of Wolves, in a packed Seanchai Books in his native Kildare town.

A family friend since James and her son Max were first at school together, Hazel described the new author as 'an absolutely amazing human being' whom she was honoured to have watched growing up. "Writing a book and illustrating a book, as he has done, takes enormous effort, commitment, and dedication," she told those in the bookshop. "Tonight is a celebration, but what you're not seeing is hours, days, weeks, years of doubt, wonder, worry, perhaps frustration and upset. It takes all of that to get to this point where you can be so proud that all of your hard work has paid off."

She also led a round of applause for James's family, saying that they will have been there "cheering you on through the good times and bad to get you to today."

Responding, the author described how he had worked on his 'passion project' from his TY year onwards, finding time after school each day and on weekends until he had the first draft finished. "Then, of course, there was a low and a lot of time where progress was very slow or non-existent, but eventually we got here." He said his choice of wolves and fairy tales reflected the bedtime stories he had heard as a child and the fantasy stories he grew to love when he got older. "They really started my love of stories, my love of writing or whatever means to get a story on the page."

Recipient of the Cross and Passion College English Award in 2024, James is currently studying English and Media at Dublin City University. He assured last night's audience there are more books in the pipeline.

James signing at the sellout launch in Seanchai Books.

James and his mother Glenda.

A packed event.

James with author Hazel Gaynor.

James with family at the launch: Mary Seery, Maureen Seery, Tom Groome, Glenda Groome, Tom Seery Sr, Tom Seery Jr and Des Groome.

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