By Dan Walsh in Wexford town
Wexford’s latest literary sensation, Álanna Hammel enjoyed a double personal occasion tonight when she combined the celebration of her 21st birthday and the launch of her second book… When I Grow Up I Want To Be… at a gala launch in the company of family and literary friends at Red Books, St. Peter’s Square, Wexford.
Her latest work was officially launched by Wally O’Neill, publisher of Red Books Press, who praised Álanna on her work and outlined that he believes she has a great literary future ahead of her. The launch included a number of readings by family and friends.
Speaking to WexfordLocal.com, Álanna described her latest work; “It’s a memoir in essays and short stories based on my upbringing in Kilmuckridge, weekends spent in rural Wicklow, where my mother is from, and eventually from Wexford to Dublin for university.”
Last August, the talented Kilmuckridge writer launched a debut collection of 11 poems with the curious title, “Cruel and Vicious”. It was an immediate sell-out and she had to re-order more to satisfy the market.
Currently studying Irish and French at Trinity College Dublin, Álanna has also edited two volumes of The Wexford Bohemian, each with more than 50 contributors in each edition and is host of the podcast The Art of Conversation,
When I Grow Up I Want to be, Álanna Hammel, 60 pages, published by Red Books Press, ISBN 9781838215446, €10, available at Red Books, St. Peter’s Square, Wexford, www.theirishbookshop.com or from the author.
WexfordLocal.com 