Come and chat to author Marian Keyes: Monday 4 June, 9pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Book club special: We’re excited to announce that Mumsnet fave Marian Keyes will be joining us on this thread for a webchat on Monday 4 June between 9 and 10pm, when she'll be answering your questions about her writing, life and hopefully throwing in a few beauty tips along the way.

Marian last joined us in Feb 2016. With no less than 13 novels, three collections of journalism, alongside an extremely honest account of her battle with depression, Saved by Cake, she’s one of Ireland’s greatest and most successful ever novelists. Her latest novel The Break - just out in paperback - has been described as “Marian Keyes at her funniest, wisest, glorious” (Nina Stibbe). Marian was a vocal part in the 'Yes' campaign in the recent Irish referendum. Her social channels on Twitter and Instagram are followed by over 190k collectively.

Join Marian on Monday at 9pm - or post up a Q for her on this thread in advance. Join the chat for chance to win one of FIVE copies of The Break. Names will be pulled out of the hat just after the webchat

[Marmite27]

Coincidentally I was just thinking about the Walsh girls yesterday

[Doobydoo]

All of yourr books are fantastic. My friend has a family like the Walsh family. A month ago I sent her a bottle of Prosecco and Watermelon and Rachel's Holiday...she was having a rough time.These books connected with her..she was reading like mad! She is getting all your other books.I have listed them in order for her! You have helped me enormously through some sad and dark times. I have read your books more than once...sorry if appearing ott...but that is how I feel. Thanks. One question.When is your next book out?

[PavlovaPrincess]

I love, love, love your books, Marian (especially Rachel’s Holiday, my all time fave. Sorry, so fangirly, but you’re my favourite author).

One question. Will there be anymore Walsh Sisters books and are there any plans to make a tv series or film of them? (Sorry, that was two really).

[DownTheDuckPond]

Marian, first of all can I say thank you and well done for everything you did for the Repeal the 8th campaign? You (and the rest of the Twitter army!) were amazing.

However, more importantly, from one -hypochondriac- health aware, know every illness under the sun person to another, what is your current Ailment of the Month?

[turkeyboots]

I love Marion! Thank you for your wonderful books and work on metal health and repeal the 8th. I've just discovered your series of articles in the Irish Times on Sudden Wild Enthusiams which are a great light relief.

Growing up as an Irish girl abroad your book were an important link to modern Ireland to me and helped explain the occasional bizarre behavior of my family.

[Otterseatpuffinsdontthey]

My daughter & myself went to a book promotion of "Angels" (Glasgow/2002). Really enjoyable evening. Marion came across a warm, funny, clever lady. The cocktail, created for the launch, was very nice (lilac to match the book cover)

[RedPandaFluff]

Hi Marian! Love your books, gobble them up as soon as they come out. I've even gone so far as to procure my very own Himself (I'm Irish, he's English, and we're living in Manchester . . . for now )

I note you've managed to transfer your Himself over to Ireland, where he seems to be surviving quite well. So far my attempts to do similar have failed - although leaving a trail of Tayto cheese and onions crisps from our doorstep over to Liverpool docks with the intent to hustle him onto a boat was probably always doomed to fail.

Any hints or tips on transporting Mr RedPandaFluff and how best to integrate him into Irish society . . . ?

[Rachie1973]

Ohhh she's my favourite author! Can't wait

[PoppySeedRoll]

Marian, thank you for your books, I LOVE YOU
Which of your characters would you most and least like to go on holiday with?

[Onslow]

Hello Marian! I’m another fan-girling fan! #noshame

Whenever I’m feeling down I read the scene where...

spoiler alert

..Tara leaves Thomas in Last Chance Saloon. It always cheers me up.
(My copy is actually completely trashed because it’s my go to “in the bath” reading material.)

My question is, was Thomas based on anyone you know and did they recognise themselves with their snap shut coin purse and “I speak as I find”-iness?

[Happypuppy]

Hi Marian,

Saw you in Cardiff on Friday night! Thanks for coming it was a great evening.

You answered lots of questions there but I just wanted to say that I have made great use of the quote, “the only way to get over a man is to get under another”through the years 😁 I think I first read it in Watermelon over 20 years ago when I was all impressionable.


I was just wondering as you are honest about being a recovering alcoholic, do you attend AA meetings regularly these days?

Thanks for everything, your books have made me laugh, cry and generally feel better when I’ve needed to over the years!❤️❤️❤️

[drwitch]

Your books seemed to have got angrier over time, is this because the world is shitter or because when you get to our age you see things for what they are

[kateandme]

your books and your writing or magnificent.
your books standalone and you are a talent like no other.
I truly think your fantastic.so therefore never be sad again ok.good sorted.haha if only I could make it that easy for you to be happy forever.becasue we/I think your marvelous.but the strength of the power you've shown even through the fighting the darkness you've had in your life is wonderfully inspiring
you books are fab.i cant ever wait to read more of you.i think you need to publsh one a week for me to be truly satisfied hehe.
I no you've written for all the walsh family now?but is there anyway we could have more.they are brilliant.
thankyou for being a major part in the reason I love books.
and if there is any way us as thankful readers can help you.please let us know.many of us owe you much of our own sanity and happiness and strength to carry on.thankyou.

[GrandTheftWalrus]

Love love love your books!

I even done essays on Last Chance Saloon in high school.

Are you planning on any more books about the Walsh family?

[Grasias]

Another fan here. I'm endlessly fascinated by your Twitter feed and the Irish Times column. I love that perculiar odd spelling which apparently is an Irish Thing. Not to mention the Short Filim of the week.
I hadn't actually read any of your books until recently when I read The Break. Loved the little tie in with the repeal campaign.

[speakfriendandenter]

Can't wait to start reading the new book!

[Bluetrews25]

Just wanted to say a sincere thank you, for the brilliant stories and the humour that has had me crying with laughter. Or just crying. All your work is read over and over again.
Thank you. Thank you, Thank you.
Have some and

[BettyPitts]

Ooooh she's my very favourite, I was so pleased when I heard she had got better when she was poorly and loved her cake recipe book she wrote at that time.

Can you ask her if she joined MN? After her last web chat (v interesting questions like fav Mac Red Lippy) she said she really likes the cut of our gib and would join.

[BettyPitts]

Omg ignore the lack of punctuation on the previous post. Got bit overexcited.

[ThatEscalatedQuickly]

Hi Marian. Marks out of 10, how much did you enjoy the Eurovision this year and what did you make of the eventual winner?

[Inkspellme]

Hi, I've just finished "The Break" and loved it - but I was wondering about the spelling of the characters names? They're Irish names but not spelled in the Irish way? As an Irish person it kind of irritated me tbh (didn't stop me loving the book though!) I appreciate that maybe the Irish spellings could have been challenging for some readers but why not give them non Irish names instead?

Thanks!

[whatwouldnigellado]

I'm a HUGE fan of everything you've written and LOVE how you manage to explore such complex subjects with humour, warmth and accessibility. Please tell me there's more books to come?!

[Nectarines]

I have read Rachel’s Holiday over and over again. At least twice per year.

It resounded with me during a particularly difficult patch.

Wonderful writer. I just wish she wrote more!!

[Frombothsidesnow]

I've been reading your books for over 20 years and I adore the way you capture my feelings so well, on depression and relationships. Like many readers I end up very attached to your characters - might you ever consider a sequel to anything? I guess the Walsh books are sort of follow ups (and they are wonderful).

[MalcolmsBrokenWalrusMoneybox]

Marian! I love your writing very much.
The first novel of yours I read was Rachel's Holiday. One morning I actually woke up thinking I was Rachel, on "holiday". Have you ever woken confused and mistaken yourself for a fictional character?