Beginner’ s Pluck

As a child, Emily read instead of watching TV. She attempted her first novel during her Leaving Certificate, and, after encouragement from agent Marianne Gunn O’Connor, she wrote You and I at UCD.

“Marianne got me a great two book deal. It’s being published in England, Germany and Russia too. I had my last edits and my finals in the same week.”

Who is Emily Gillmor Murphy?

Date/place of birth: Sep 10, 1990/Dublin.

Education: St Gerard’s, Bray. UCD, English and History.

Home: Enniskerry, County Wicklow.

Family: Mum, Heather; dad, Chris; two elder sisters, Rachael and Lucy.

The Day Job: I’m considering doing a Masters.

Hobbies: Showjumping. I have two horses and compete every weekend.

Favourite Books/writers: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.

Second Novel: It’s about showjumping, and is set from a male perspective.

Top Writing Tip: Know your beginning and know your end. And read as much as you can.

Web: www.wix.com/emilysmurph/emily-gillmor-murphy

Twitter: @EgillmorMurphy

THE DEBUT

You and I. Transworld Ireland, €14.99; Kindle, not yet available

When Olive starts at University College Dublin, she’s a shy innocent. She’s enthralled by her dorm mate, Rosanna, and is soon partying with the cool crowd. But she’s confused when Tom, who’s at Trinity, starts to pursue her. He’s reputed to have seduced loads of girls, and she’s just not interested. But after a family tragedy, he sticks around, and she softens, until she learns why he was interested in the first place. Will they get their happy ending?

The novel shows the loneliness of university life, as well as the fun. All the characters have demons to overcome, whether it’s family divorce, insecurity, depression, or money worries.

“In the space of one year four people I knew of died by suicide. It hit me, this happens a lot. Loneliness and depression are a big thing at UCD. I wanted to address that.”

The Verdict: A well constructed debut written with maturity and style.