News

Veteran Kerry playwright and novelist Tony Guerin received a warm reception at Listowel Writers’ Week as readers, writers and friends gathered for the launch of his ambitious new novel, Quilt, which was proudly published by the JM Agency team. The event, held at the Listowel Arms Hotel, attracted a strong local audience as well as visitors […]

A large crowd gathered at the Talbot Hotel, Ballincollig, for the launch of Quest for Meaning, a newly abridged edition of the acclaimed work by the late Dr Fr Gearóid Ó Donnchadha. The strong turnout reflected the high regard in which Fr Gearóid is held in Cork and Kerry, having lectured at University College Cork and […]

If you’re new to publishing or self-publishing, chances are you’ve came across the term ‘ISBN’ and wondered what it actually means — and whether you really need one. ISBNs can sound technical and intimidating, but in reality they’re quite straightforward. In this guide, I’ll explain what ISBN numbers are and why they matter to anyone […]

Every so often, we work on a book that reminds us why we invest such care and effort into producing books of exceptional quality. One such book was Ollie and Me by award-winning author Annette Bryan. Ollie and Me follows Ollie, a talented 26-year-old GAA player whose dream of playing for Dublin ends abruptly when […]

A major publishing highlight of 2025 for all the JM Agency team was working closely with author Margaret Harvey on her brilliant debut novel, That’s the Why. We were all so proud to have played a part in Margaret’s journey. But first, the book: Beginning in 1969, That’s the Why follows seven-year-old Madge Whelan after […]

There’s no better way to kick off 2026 than by reflecting on some of the highlights of the past year. One of our proudest moments was working closely with artist and poet DJ Kelliher on his debut illustrated poetry book, Dream, Reach, Do. DJ is a shop assistant with Mr Price in Killarney and hails […]

Irish actor Pat Nolan may be famous for playing loveable nice guy Barry O’Hanlon in RTÉ’s Fair City, but this month he was busy launching the latest Irish crime saga, Silent Tears of Sin, penned by debut novelist Sharon Stevens. With Ireland becoming world-renowned for dramas set in society’s seedy underbelly – thanks to hit TV shows like Love/Hate and Kin, and […]

2024 couldn’t have ended better for the JM Agency team with the festive launch of Millie Blackwood’s debut novel Oasis, at the seasonally fitting setting of Portmarnock Resort and Golf Links, Portmarnock, Dublin. Having provided Millie with our comprehensive Book Publishing Package, it’s satisfying to see all her hard work come to fruition. The atmospheric […]

We’re excited to introduce the first in a series of Publishing Lounges we’ll be hosting over the Christmas period. Meet Jeremy and the team face to face to discuss your book (or book idea!) in the festive setting of the Riu Plaza Hotel, O’Connell Street. Further lounges for Kerry and Cork will be announced soon. […]

Twelve-year-old Danny Lawlor became one of Kerry’s youngest literary sensations last year with the publication of his spooky adventure epic, Night of the Full Moon. Not one to rest on his laurels, Danny was back this month with a sequel that takes all the classic Christmas tropes and turns them on their head. Danny and his […]

After a distinguished career in banking and later helping her clients polish their communication skills, Anne Donegan has been honing and perfecting her poems for a number of years. An integral figure in Kerry’s ‘Poetry in the Park’ group, Anne approached Jeremy a number of months ago, expressing a strong interest in doing a book […]

Twelve-year-old Danny Lawlor became one of Ireland’s youngest literary sensations last year with the publication of his spooky adventure epic, Night of the Full Moon. Not one to rest on his laurels, Danny is back with a swashbuckling sequel that takes all the classic Christmas tropes and turns them on their head. Find the full […]

Warm, warm congratulations to Irish novelist, playwright, and documentary filmmaker Cónal Creedon for winning the CAP Award for Fiction. It was a pleasure to present the Award to Cónal in person and to support the CAP’s Fiction category once again this year. The winning novel Begotten Not Made is a “fairy tale for the 21st […]

November and December are book launch season in Ireland, and none is more special than Classroom Hero by David Graham, a beautifully illustrated children’s story with a very topical message. The ‘classroom hero’ in question is introspective Fionn. Like all children, Fionn is anxious to fit in and be like everyone else, but when the time […]

We are delighted to announce that on Friday, 25th October, the definitive account of the final voyage and shipwreck of the Thetis will be launched in Kerry Writers’ Museum, Listowel, Co Kerry. Author Paul O’Dowd availed of JM Agency’s ‘Book Publishing Package’, our comprehensive service for authors who self-publish. Paul has been working with Sarah, […]

Special thanks again to bestselling and prize-winning author Donal Ryan for all his help in supporting the late Lorraine O’Byrne’s final novel, I Will Find You. Lorraine graduated from the University of Limerick’s creative writing programme, where Donal teaches. In his address at Lorraine’s book launch in beautiful Killaloe, Co Clare, Donal observed the beginnings […]

It is always a proud moment for authors when freshly printed copies of their books arrive, and we would like to warmly congratulate Dr. Angelos Bollas and Dr. Alicia Castillo Villaneuva for editing and contributing to this volume, which examines the role of culture in shaping social, cultural and political discourses on HIV/AIDS. Our compliments […]

JM Agency’s youngest author, Danny Lawlor, received some well-deserved advance publicity for his upcoming book, ‘Christmas Comeback’, with a celebrity endorsement from Niall Breslin. Bressie was very supportive of Danny’s first book, Night of the Full Moon, which was proudly edited, designed, and published by the JM Agency team last Christmas. Night of the Full […]

JM Agency author Julie Coyle dazzled and intrigued attendees at the annual Hinterland arts festival, Kells, Co. Meath, with a presentation on her new book, a biography of Irish psychic and trance medium Eileen J. Garrett, The Early Life of Irish Psychic and Trance Medium, Eileen J. Garrett: Fact or Fabrication? Julie has been working with […]

Enneagram expert Martin Quigley to publish a clear and comprehensive introduction to the subject, with editing, design and publishing by JM Agency.

The Life and Times of Bernard Dillon, by journalist Stephen Fernane, to be launched in Tralee by Mayor of Tralee Terry O’Brien, with the book designed and published by JM Agency.

We are delighted to announce that JM Agency has been accepted as a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors, ALLi, meeting ALLi’s exceptionally high ethical and professional bar for partner members. ALLi is a non-profit organisation that provides invaluable services and support to independent authors. Founded by Orna Ross and Philip Lynch, ALLi’s […]

It’s not every day a book you worked on gets adapted for the screen, so all the JM Agency team were delighted that the film adaptation of the ‘The Hegartys of the Laurels’ was screened successfully, and in the grand setting of Cork City Hall, last Saturday. Well done to all the team at Lettertec […]

JM Agency were represented by Jeremy Murphy and literary agent Vikki Elliott at the London Book Fair, 2024. We would like to extend the warmest of thanks to every publisher, publishing business and author that met us and engaged. The sheer range of conversations is one of the reasons why these events are so exciting. […]

We are delighted to announce the launch of Sailing the Storm of Logic, the debut book by entrepreneur Brian Bakeberg. Originally from South Africa, Brian has been living and building businesses in Ireland for many years, including international management consultancy business ‘An Even Better Place to Work‘ (bp2w), with his wife and business partner Orla […]

We are delighted to announce that Vikki Elliott has joined the JM Agency team. Vikki will spearhead our growing and dynamic agenting service for authors. This will include working closely with Jeremy and other team members to explore new publishing opportunities for JM Agency’s authors. You can view the authors currently under our agenting programme […]

It was a particularly successful Christmas and New Year period for the ‘The Final Count’, the candid memoir of the colourful former senator Dan Kiely. Co-written with JM Agency principal Jeremy Murphy, the book also benefited from our comprehensive publishing programme for self-published authors, which includes exceptional editing and design services passionately provided by the […]

Listowel has fostered many a stellar wordsmith and hosted many a spectacular literary event, but last November, it achieved a new milestone, in that the author launching his book was eleven-year-old Danny Lawlor. Danny is a fifth-class student at Coolard National School, and The Night of the Full Moon exhibits both his literary and artistic skills. In The Night […]

Jeremy and Sarah represented JM Agency at Publishing Ireland’s recent Annual Conference, held in Dublin Castle, a venue that also played host to the annual Dublin Book Festival. The Annual Conference was an opportunity for us to promote the select few authors represented under own new and growing Literary Agency programme, as well as introducing […]

JM Agency team members Jeremy, Joanne and Kezia were delighted to attend the launch of author and JM Agency client Lorraine O’Byrne’s final novel I Will Find You, which was launched in the beautiful Killaloe Hotel. Special thanks to bestselling and prize-winning author Donal Ryan for kindly agreeing to launch Lorraine’s book. Donal was Lorraine’s tutor […]

All the JM Agency team are so proud to announce that Lorraine O’Byrne’s final novel I Will Find You will be launched in the beautiful The Killaloe Hotel and Spa this Saturday the 18th. Special thanks to bestselling and prize-winning author Donal Ryan for kindly agreeing to launch Lorraine’s book. Donal was Lorraine’s tutor when […]

Dan Kiely’s memoir ‘The Final Count’ is set to be published this November. Co-written with JM Agency founder Jeremy Murphy, ‘The Final Count’ presents a very personal account of a life often lived in the glare of the media. Colourful, charismatic, loyal, hard-working, controversial – these are some of the words people have used to […]

Jeremy was delighted to present Sherly Balzon with her prize for being the joint-winner of the ‘Travel Through Words’ creative writing competition, a competition we ran in 2021. Sherly was due to collect her prize along with fellow joint-winner Prerna Shah in Dublin in 2021, but was unable to travel. Sherly was presented with her […]

It was wonderful to present poet, editor and singer Tanja Vu with the print edition of her poetry collection Wordpotion, at the Firkin Crane Theatre, Cork City. Jeremy and the JM Agency team have very much enjoyed helping Tanja bring her poetry book to life. Tanja has also been working with us on some recent […]

We were honoured an delighted to host the launch of JM Agency author Matthew Flavin’s debut poetry collection ‘Missed Opportunities’, at the beautiful Kerry Writers’ Museum, Listowel, on Friday, June 30th. Matthew has been honing and mastering his craft for years, and we were therefore particularly proud to provide him with the platform he deserves. […]

Jeremy was honoured to attend the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the Coolmine Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Centre in Dublin last week. Jeremy was invited by JM Agency client Ms Maria Colgan, who has been working with Jeremy and Amanda on a number of promising manuscripts, most recently ‘Conversations with Gary’, a startingly original tribute […]

Quest for Meaning: A journey through philosophy, science and spirituality, the final book by Dr Fr Gearóid O’Donnchadha, was launched to the world at St Joseph’s Oratory in Fenit, by Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Fr Ray Browne, Bishop of Kerry. Minister Foley complimented Jeremy and Sarah (of JM Agency) for their success in appraising and […]

We are delighted to announce the publication of A Quest for Meaning – A journey through philosophy, science and spirituality, the final book by the sadly deceased priest and scholar Dr Fr Gearóid O’Donnchadha. The estate of Fr Gearóid benefited from our manuscript appraisal service and subsequent copy-editing services, provided by both Jeremy Murphy and Dr Sarah Meehan O’Callaghan, with the aim […]

We are delighted to announce that we will be present at the forthcoming London Book Fair as designated trade visitors. Jeremy is looking forward to promoting the many fantastic authors currently availing of our literary agenting programme, as well as introducing our exceptional editing, design and publishing services to the wider publishing world. He will […]

In the first of a series of excerpts from authors on our innovative agenting programme, which aims to secure publishers, agents and other commercial opportunities for some of our most promising authors, we are delighted to introduce Mr David Frank Gordon and ‘MJ and her Smarty-Phants’, a collection of wacky and wonderful children’s stories. David […]

We’re delighted to announce that Jeremy, founder of JM Agency, has commenced the development of an exciting new app for agents and publishers. Pantheon will be very much a team enterprise. Joseph Youorski, a computer scientist, who Jeremy met through the Trinity College Mentoring Programme, has already developed a sitemap, a blueprint for what the […]

JM Agency authors were hitting the airwaves and newsprint lately. Vincent Henry was interviewed by legendary broadcaster Joe Duffy, on the subject of travelling shops, and the role they played in the fabric of rural Ireland. Presenting Joe with a copy of the JM Agency-designed and edited book, the broadcaster commented on the book’s ‘lovely’ […]

Delighted to begin the new year precisely where we finished the last one, helping authors bring their books to life. All the JM Agency team are particularly proud of Missed Opportunities, the debut poetry collection by Matthew Flavin. Originally from Leeds, Matthew has been living and working in Ballybunion for the best part of fourteen […]

From the streets of North West London to management roles in a variety of firms, including the iconic Lloyds of London, Joseph Lane has lived a rich and varied life. It was only after he came to Ireland however, the land of his ancestors, that he decided to embark on a new voyage, the telling […]

We are delighted to announce the publication of The Other Side – a memoir of hope in the midst of depression, an unflinchingly honest, often quirky and subtly inspirational memoir by Mr Neil Kelders. Neil Kelders is a mental health and wellbeing advocate, coach and international speaker, who has been working with the JM Agency […]

JM Agency author Mr Vincent Henry was beaming with pride when his debut book One Last Bend – a personal history of Peter Henry’s travelling shop was launched with aplomb, at the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore. One Last Bend- was officially launched by former Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen, former Prime Minister of Ireland, who wrote […]

All the JM Agency team are incredibly proud to announce the publication of award-winning author Carolann Copland’s latest novel, Mosaic. The follow up to Scarred and the Summer Triangle, Mosaic is, in the words of bestselling novelist Zoe Miller, “an evocative story of love, heartbreak and redemption, against a richly imagined landscape”. We would like […]

We are delighted to announce the publication of Connecting to Source – A path to self-discovery through verse by entrepreneur and multidimensional medicine practitioner Linda Barry Tuohy. In a series of transcendental poems and self-reflections, Ms Barry Tuohy asks her readers to broaden their awareness of self, nature and Mother Love.  Linda invites readers on a journey into their […]

We are delighted to announce that ‘One Last Bend: A personal history of Peter Henry’s travelling shop’ will be published this October, with launches in the author Mr Vincent Henry’s hometowns of Tullamore, Co Offaly, and Clara, Co. Offaly. The book will be launched by former Taoiseach Mr Brian Cowen (former prime minister of Ireland), […]

We are delighted to announce we will be attending the Frankfurt Buchmesse, the world’s largest book trade fair, this October. Jeremy and other members of the JM Agency team will be present at Frankfurt between Friday the 21st of October and Sunday the 23rd. Our mission will be to secure our incredible authors the very […]

I recently read a newsletter from Mark Dawson, the guru of self-publishing, in which he was plugging his latest novel. He’d apparently written the first third, and was about to analyse what he’d written, and decide how the story was going to pan out. Then, he said, it wouldn’t take long to finish. When I read that, […]

Are you familiar with Angela’s Ashes, by Frank McCourt? Love it or loathe it, chances are that you have at least heard of it. And, as cogently put by the writer Oscar Wilde, ‘there is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about’. And you […]

A Publishing Cartel? Power shifts in international publishing rarely make national headlines, but Penguin Random’s recent acquisition of rival publisher Simon and Schuster has ignited an avalanche of commentary, most of which is negative. Penguin are currently being sued by the United States’ Department of Justice (DoJ), who allege the publishing giant’s acquisition is in violation of anti-trust legislation. They […]

Jeremy met publisher PJ Cunningham, owner of Ballpoint Press recently, and they agreed to collaborate on the eagerly anticipated second volume of Grassroots: Stories from the Heart of the GAA. Following on the from what was a national bestseller in Ireland, for which Jeremy and the JM Agency team managed the social media campaign, the […]

One question I am often asked by authors is whether they should self-publish or seek a traditional trade publishing deal. In essence, show me the right path. Unfortunately, just as Oscar Wilde’s truth is ‘rarely pure and never simple’, questions in publishing are rarely straightforward. There are however clear advantages and disadvantages to both options, […]

Jeremy met writer, content creator & influencer Yvonne Reddin at the beautiful Rose Hotel recently. The JM Agency team is currently designing her forthcoming book ‘Talk, Learn Connect’, a series of insightful interviews with distinguished figures from enterprise, business and the arts & entertainment sectors. On working with Yvonne, Jeremy said, ‘Yvonne approached me in May of […]

Email marketing One of the most effective, and often ignored, marketing tools for authors is email marketing. Email marketing entails building a list of subscribers, and emailing these subscribers content in a strategic way. Email content can include news and updates, a monthly newsletter, free samples, or news on special offers. One of the most effective email […]

Jeremy attended the launch of The Hegartys of the Laurels: A Story of Unsung Heroism held in Cork City Library, Grand Parade, Cork. Jeremy attended in his capacity as editor for Lettertec Ireland Ltd, Ireland’s premier craft book-printer. The book is a personal history of author Jim Hegarty family’s role in Ireland’s independence struggle, and […]

One of the highlights of Jeremy’s recent trip to Brazil was meeting Professor Laura Izarra, a professor of literature at the University of Sao Paulo’s School of Communication and Art. Professor Izarra coordinates USP’s WB Yeats Chair of Irish Studies and is a former president of the Brazilian Association of Irish Studies. A preoccupation with […]

On the 100-year anniversary of Ulysses, let’s acknowledge some of the figures responsible for ensuring Joyce’s work was read, celebrated and debated internationally. Brazilian poet, translator and writer Augusto de Campos (pictured) is perhaps, more than anyone, responsible for introducing Joyce to Brazil. Joyce is the most vigorously translated of Ireland’s great writers. Joyce strove […]

After making you all wait a little longer than planned, I’m delighted to announce the two joint winners of the Travel Through Words creative writing exercise! We received a total of fifty-five entries, including emailed entries and your comments on the posts- so, no shortage of quality, and no shortage of competition. In no particular […]

Poetry Day Ireland #PoetryDayIRL was a great occasion to celebrate the many, many great poets I have had the honour of working with over these last few years. One of the best, most generous, and most daring, is the poet Christina Reihill. Christina is both a poet and an artist, and, perhaps unsurprisingly, her work […]

I am delighted to announce that I have negotiated an agreement with Orpen Press for the publication of Dr Fr Gearóid O’Donnchadha’s Quest: A Journey Through Philosophy, Science and Spirituality (provisional title). The last book by the now sadly deceased priest, scholar and academic is something I have been working on for some time, and […]

We can’t travel at present unfortunately, and I for one am desperately missing it. Here is a notion: Writing and the imagination as a soothing balm for our itch to explore. That is the idea behind my latest series of creative writing exercises; ‘Travel Through Words’, #travelthroughwords Each week for the next twelve weeks, I […]

It was an honour to talk to broadcaster, journalist and author Jillian Godsil about everything publishing, literature and books related. I was a guest on Jillian’s show ‘Making a Difference’, broadcast on Dublin City FM every Monday. We discussed, among other timely topics, books, editing, literature, and re-discovering the creative impulse during lockdown. In brief: […]

Very happy to say I was asked to re-launch the photo series of creative writing inspirations, which I originally started on LinkedIn in the spring when much of the world was in lockdown. (Inspirations? Yes, I was struggling to find a synonym for ‘exercises’, as it denotes a very tedious procedure, and these posts when […]

For the week and day that was in it, I couldn’t resist taking a journey to a holy city. I always found Yeats’ Sailing to Byzantium magical; the rich, incantatory language has a genuinely elevating, transporting quality. However, creating such a world is one kind of genius. Being able to create this universe which may […]

Just in case you missed my recent videos, find below a timely recital of Derek Mahon’s Everything is Going to be Alright. I thought the poem’s truthful hopefulness was fitting for these difficult times. I hope you enjoy it. Also, here are some thoughts on Albert Camus’ existentialist parable The Plague.

Really delighted to announce that Viajantes do Vento (‘The Wind Riders’), co-written by my clients, the superbly talented team of Heloisa Prieto and Adrienne Geoghegan, will be published by Estrela Cultural in Brazil this autumn. I worked on this unique and special book both as an agent and an editor. It is therefore very close […]

I will continue reading, editing and appraising during the Covid-19 crisis #covid19. People may find more opportunities to write, despite this being a difficult time for many. Therefore, I would like to start something called A TIME TO WRITE campaign, #atimetowrite A TIME TO WRITE will encourage creative and literary activities during the crisis. I […]

Some months back, a client suggested creating a Kerry Christmas book fair in Listowel. It stuck me as a wonderful idea. Not only would it give the many good, contemporary writers living in Kerry an opportunity to sell their books and meet the reading public, but it was an opportunity to create a wonderful, festive […]

Book blurbs are notoriously difficult to write and get right. Don’t fret, help is at hand. I’m happy with the two I did recently: For Robert Pierse’s wonderful adventure story cum memoir, Under the Bed:Stories & Thoughts from a Desert Island, and Listowel Writers’ Week’s Winners’ Anthology. I could probably write a whole book on […]

Still buzzing from introducing guests at Writers’ Week. Will gather my thoughts soon, and write a more philosophical blog post. The strange kinship between children’s literature and the novels of Kafka has been on my mind for some time. More soon. In the meantime, below are some of the wonderful events I was privileged enough […]

Cyril Kelly, celebrated writer and essayist, and long-time contributor to RTÉ Radio One’s much loved Sunday Miscellany show, has written a review of Under the Bed: Thoughts & Stories from a Desert Island, by Robert Pierse. Under the Bed is a book I have been very happily working on this past year. You could call […]

Under the Bed: Stories & Thoughts from a Desert Island is the fantastic new book from Robert Pierse, which I have been proudly and lovingly editing over the past year, as well as representing to publishers, distributors and others. The launch is open to the public; all are welcome. A night of music, stories and […]

It was an absolute pleasure to work closely with Fr Pat Ahern, founding director of the preeminent Siamsa Tire, Tralee, recently. We collaborated on editing/appraisal of a very interesting philosophical text (by a very distinguished philosopher and sociologist, who is sadly deceased). Fr Pat’s achievements are incredible. Born in Moyvane, Kerry in 1932, he founded […]