Irish writers combine to propel dying author to top of the charts

FELLOW Irish authors are banding together in a campaign to help Emma Hannigan’s latest book to number one after she revealed she has not got long to live.

The best-selling author told readers the devastating news in a blog post on Friday.

The 45-year-old explained that the love of her family, friends and fans has sustained her throughout a lengthy battle with cancer.

Now her fellow authors are campaigning to make sure the book reaches the top of the charts.

Author and TV writer Anna McPartin yesterday shared an image of her reading the Irish mother-of-two’s latest book, Letters To My Daughters.

She told her Twitter followers that it was “in shops now. Emma can’t promote her work herself so please join us. Buy it. Read it. Promote it”.

McPartin tagged several wellknown authors and social media users in her post.

Unravelling Oliver author Liz Nugent also wrote: “As you might know by now, Emma Hannigan is dying after 13 years of cancer treatment. Her family and friends here and abroad are devastated. Let’s get her book to number one.”

Dubray Books also supported the cause and said it would donate all profits made to the Irish Cancer Society.

“Let’s do this, readers ... Buy it for Emma, buy it to support anyone who has been touched by Best-selling Wicklow writer Emma Hannigan told her readers on Facebook that she had not long to live after more than a decade of battling cancer following the discovery that she carried the Brca1 gene, sparking a campaign by her fellow authors cancer (& buy it because as always it’s a wonderful book).”

Broadcaster Lorraine Keane posted a message online in support of Ms Hannigan.

“Emma you are one of the most beautiful and incredible women I have had the privilege to meet,” Ms Keane said.

In 2005 Emma discovered that she was carrying the Brca1 cancer gene. This meant she had an 85% chance of developing breast cancer and a 50% chance of developing ovarian cancer.

To reduce her risk to 5%, the brave mum opted for preventative surgery. In 2006 Emma had a double mastectomy and had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed.

However, in 2007, in spite of the surgery, she was diagnosed with cancer for the first time.

She shared many of her experiences with readers in books and online — but writing on Friday she delivered devastating news. She said she had “the conversation I never wanted to have with my medical team” several days ago.

The Wicklow native posted on Facebook that “all good things must come to an end. The time that I knew was borrowed must be given back soon, so it seems”.