'The Cry of the Sebac', new novel by Irish writer Anthony Murphy, has just been published on Amazon Kindle

It gives me great pleasure to announce that my new novel, 'The Cry of the Sebac', has just been published on Amazon Kindle.

I am the Sebac Gaoth,
the Hawk on the Wind,
one who has lived beyond memory.
I have listened to the tune of the earth
since before time began
but the music of the world grows sad.

A 12-year-old boy called Fintan meets a mysterious talking bird who claims to have lived forever. The bird, who describes himself as the Sebac Gaoth (the Hawk on the Wind), wants to warn the boy about the danger facing mankind, and to bring him to a fantastic revelation about his own origins and destiny.

The Sebac is a manifestation of ancient wisdom. In the Irish mythic tradition, the hawk appears as a shamanic presence, a voice from the ancient world. The boy represents innocence, but Fintan is about to come of age, and his experiences with the Sebac mark an initiation of sorts, a transition from ordinary mortal to the heroic figure of salvation that mankind desperately needs.

But what can one boy do in the face of such tremendous adversity?

As he journeys through mind and spirit and cosmos, the boy meets several of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Prophecy says they will help man in one final battle against darkness. But the Dananns have their own ideas about who the Samildánach (the Many-Gifted) is, and they want to reveal the one who will shine light into the darkest places and battle to prevent the fall of mankind.

You can purchase the novel on Amazon.com here:
http://www.amazon.com/Cry-Sebac-Anthony-Murphy-ebook/dp/B01DE75Z50/

And on Amazon.co.uk here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cry-Sebac-Anthony-Murphy-ebook/dp/B01DE75Z50/

You might also want to check out my author page on Amazon, and indeed my other books:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B001JOY804

The book has its own website which you can view here:
http://thecryofthesebac.blogspot.com

Land of the Ever-Living Ones printed copies arrive

Having already been published on Amazon Kindle, 'Land of the Ever-Living Ones' has arrived at my home in printed form! I received copies from the printer in Dublin on Friday evening. The book will be launched in The Barbican Centre, Drogheda, next Friday, November 29th at 7.30pm. The launch is being performed by Róisín Fitzpatrick, 'The Artist of the Light', and there will be music by renowned traditional musician Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin. I look forward to seeing you there.

For the above photograph, I decided to compare my new novella (yes, it's my first work of fiction!) with my two big non-fiction books, 'Island of the Setting Sun' and 'Newgrange: Monument to Immortality'. I think they are three striking and well-designed covers. They are also quite vivid, and the three colour schemes vary quite a lot. After the launch, printed copies will be available through www.mythicalireland.com

In the meantime, you can learn more about Land of the Ever-Living Ones on its official blog page. You might also visit my author page on Goodreads, and you can also visit the new book's Facebook page here.

First copy of 'Newgrange: Monument to Immortality' received today

I am delighted to report that I have just received the first copy of 'Newgrange: Monument to Immortality' from The Liffey Press. I received a call this morning to say the first two copies had been received at the publisher's office in Raheny, Dublin, from the printer. (The rest will follow next week).

Publisher David Givens presenting me with the first copy of 'Newgrange:
Monument to Immortality' in The Liffey Press offices today.

It is a long-standing tradition, although not widely upheld today apparently, that the author receives the first copy of his or her work. Thankfully, The Liffey Press publisher David Givens still believes in this old mantra! And so, just after midday, myself and my wife Ann were on the M1 motorway heading for Dublin. I have to say that I felt like a child waiting to see what Santa had left . . . I couldn't wait.

The book is beautifully printed and finished, and feels quite weighty in the hand. I am thrilled that so many colour photographs have been used in the book. It is a top quality production - and I wouldn't expect anything less after the tremendous job that was done with 'Island of the Setting Sun'.

The book should be available in the bookshops by the end of the month, and the first official launch will take place in The Barbican, Drogheda, on Friday, November 9th.