Author’s generous gesture
SOME readers walking the quays in Arklow, the Murrough or Brittas Bay got a lovely surprise recently thanks to a local writer.
Arklow-based Adele O’Neill decided to leave copies of her latest book in walking spots in Arklow, Wicklow Town and Brittas Bay recently for walkers to take home and enjoy.
Speaking to this paper, Adele said, ‘I was getting calls from people asking if I had any books. But, I didn’t have enough to give to all of the people who were asking. I knew people were out walking and I thought it would a surprise that would brighten someone’s day. Also, it was around Mother’s Day and some people couldn’t go out and shop for their mums as they normally would. I wanted to do something nice to show that we are all in this together.
‘It was a small gift from me to them as a thank you to the town which has always been so supportive. I’d also received news that my third book ‘When the Time Comes’ had reached number one in Australia.’
The best-selling writer wrapped up copies of her books in plastic with a short message and dropped them at locations around Arklow, Wicklow Town and Brittas Bay,
The response was ‘phenomenal. People were contacting me through social media and sharing pictures of the books. It was lovely to see people needed that connection.’
The book drop proved to be so popular that ‘as I put one down at Brittas Bay, someone would pick it up and I didn’t have enough left to go to Greystones and Gorey as I’d planned.’
Instead, Adele asked people to nominate frontline workers to receive one of the last ten books.
‘My sister works in the ambulance service and I’m conscious of the sacrifices they are making.
People nominated staff working in pharmacies, nurses, shops, and some people who are self isolating. I selected ten names and delivered the books, leaving them on the doorsteps.
‘All of the books were brand new. I followed all HSE guidelines when delivering them. I was very conscious when leaving the books that they did not look like litter. I also went back the next day to every location to check that nothing had been left behind.
Adele, who is in the early stages of writing her fourth novel said, ‘it was about connecting with readers in the community. It’s a small way of giving back.’