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Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin

@niamhsquared

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Writer. ORDINARY SAINTS is out now!

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Thrilled to share the paperback cover for Ordinary Saints, coming 26 February and available for pre-order now!

I'm pretty blown away by the welcome my debut novel has had out in the world - winning the PFD Queer Fiction Prize, being shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize, the Women's Prize Discoveries Award, and two categories in the Books Are My Bag Awards, as well as being nominated for the Dublin Literary Prize.

But what all that boils down to is that lots of people who love books have given this one their time, attention and support. A million thanks to everyone who's bought it, read it, chatted about it, and shared it with pals.

Pre-order the paperback at the link in my bio, or ask the booksellers at your local indie bookshop. by @niamhsquared

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9 months ago

🛟Big Debuts with Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin and Rozie Kelly🛟

With Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin @niamhsquared
Rozie Kelly (@rozeamee)
Billy Lindon (@billylindon)

If I have an emotional reaction that probably means I need to fix it. But if it doesn't bother me at all but I just know it's a "no", that's where I know to hold my ground." Rozie on working with editors

Photos by @rosiepowellfreelance

#tciq26 #QueerAuthors by @niamhsquared

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We’re so happy to be partnering with @wutheringdykesbookclub to bring you a stunning conversation between Natalie Adler (@natalie.and.chester) and local favourite Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin (@niamhsquared)!

Natalie Adler’s debut novel depicts the haunting transition of New York’s East Village during the AIDS crisis, from queer avant-garde to gentrified graveyard - join us for an Edinburgh launch of her stunning, genre-bending queer novel Waiting On A Friend.

Both heartbreaking and healing, tragic and triumphant, Waiting on a Friend is a magical retelling of queer history and a celebration of youth and camaraderie. With pathos and humour, empathy and an edge, Natalie Adler freshly reimagines the past for a new generation, reclaiming the spirit of resistance and determination that would become one of the era’s defining legacies.

Join us next Tuesday at 7PM for one of our most anticipated events of this year! Pao holds up a copy of Waiting on a Friend and Ordinary Saints while smiling outside the shop. taken in Lighthouse - Edinburgh's Radical Bookshop by @niamhsquared

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18 days ago

We’re delighted that ORDINARY SAINTS by @niamhsquaredhas been selected as one of @Waterstones Paperbacks of 2026! 🎉

Moving, funny and full of heart, ORDINARY SAINTS is a brilliant exploration of family, queer identity, grief and who gets to decide how we’re remembered. ❤️

If you haven’t discovered it yet, consider this your sign 📖💫

Get your copy of ORDINARY SAINTS on Waterstones now. by @niamhsquared

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20 days ago

The year is 2090. Europe is preparing for its first total solar eclipse in 64 years. And I'm travelling through the ruined world, still talking to anyone who'll listen about Catholic saints.

Of course, I actually feel lucky and grateful that I'm still getting opportunities to talk to people about Ordinary Saints. Some great events coming up over the autumn, with lots of brilliant writers. All ticket links in bio - would love to see you there! by @niamhsquared

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2 months ago

We're thrilled to share that ORDINARY SAINTS, by Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin (@niamhsquared) has been shortlisted for the Gordon Bowker Volcano Prize ✨

This prize is awarded to a UK or Irish writer for a novel focusing on the experience of travel away from home, and we are so excited that ORDINARY SAINTS has been selected along with some incredible other titles.

ORDINARY SAINTS is an unmissable, moving and funny exploration of family, grief and queer identity. We follow Jay, who escapes her devout family in Ireland to live her best queer life - until her brother becomes a candidate for sainthood. We see Jay and her journey as she confronts her family, her childhood and ultimately, herself.

Congrats Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin (@niamhsquared)!

@thesocietyofauthors #SoAwards by @niamhsquared

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5 months ago

I'm really excited to be leading a writing workshop at this year's @portypride

Through reading and gentle guided exercises we'll be exploring how creative tools can help us imagine more expansive futures, at a time when the world is *gestures at burning skip*. You'll have the option to read what you write, but it's not required. It will be a nice time!

It's free and all are welcome but numbers are limited, so grab a ticket at the link in my bio. by @niamhsquared

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5 months ago

Looking for your next great read? 📚✨
An bhfuil tú ag lorg leabhair le léamh? 🇮🇪📖

Ask Clodagh about "Ordinary Saints" by Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin 💫

Raised in a devout Irish Catholic family, Jay now lives in London with her girlfriend 🏙️❤️, trying not to dwell too much on the past. But when she learns that her beloved older brother who died in a tragic accident, may be considered for Catholic sainthood ⛪⭐, everything she thought she had left behind comes rushing back.

Drawn home to face family, faith and memory, Jay must reckon with grief, identity and the complicated legacy of the brother she loved. At its heart, this powerful debut asks a moving question: who gets to decide how we are remembered? 🤍

Inspired by the author’s own upbringing, Ordinary Saints is a thoughtful and emotional novel about belief, belonging and finding your own path. 🌿✨

💬 Clodagh says:
“Ní Mhaoileoin writes with honesty and tenderness.” 💚

#StaffPick 📚 #OrdinarySaints ✨ #NiamhNiMhaoileoin 🇮🇪 #IrishFiction 📖 #DebutNovel 🌟 #ContemporaryFiction 💚 #TheCastleBookshop 📚 #Castlebar 🏡 #BookstagramIreland 📸 #IrishAuthors ✍️ by @niamhsquared

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5 months ago

A year today since we launched Ordinary Saints and I am reflecting and counting many many blessings. And also, for the week that's in it, feeling quite proud of being a more visible lesbian than I've ever been before. Didn't know that light could come further out from under the bushel, but here we are and I love it.

Anyway, I remember when the first few positive reader reviews started coming in before publication and thinking: 'this is enough. If ten people really love it, it will have been worth it.' Now, when I think about the number of people who have read and loved it, I basically start to cry immediately. Then I remind myself that some people also really hate it, but as long as they're funny we still appreciate them for playing!

It's wild to me that since publication Ordinary Saints has been nominated for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize, the Dublin Literary Award, the Books Are My Bag Awards, the Kate O'Brien Award and the Kerry Group Irish Writer of the Year Award. No one writes to get on shortlists but still - this kind of recognition is an insane honour. Thankfully losing every single one of them is keeping me humble.

Most importantly, this book has brought so many great people into my life. That will always be my favourite thing about it. Thank you to all the old and new friends who've supported me through this year, and to my agent and publishing team, especially @sophiemorme and @clarekelly.pr

I will be skiting around talking about saints a bit more, but mainly I'm working on the next one now. Okay love you all bye. by @niamhsquared

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6 months ago

A closer look at longlisted title Ordinary Saints by Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin ✨

Brought up in a devout household in Ireland, Jay is now living in London with her girlfriend, determined to live day to day and not think too much about either the future or the past. But when she learns that her beloved older brother, who died in a terrible accident, may be made into a Catholic saint, she realises she must at last confront her family, her childhood and herself . . .
Inspired by the author’s own devout upbringing, Ordinary Saints is a brilliant debut novel from a fresh, exciting new voice which asks – who gets to decide how we are remembered – and who we will become?

Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin is an Irish writer living and working in Edinburgh. In 2022, she won the PFD Queer Fiction Prize and was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize Discoveries award. Her work has appeared in Gutter, The New Statesman, The Irish Times, the Fierce Salvage anthology and elsewhere. Ordinary Saints is her debut novel.

📖 Ordinary Saints was nominated by Libraries NI and published by Manilla Press

#DublinLiteraryAward #DLA26 #DublinLitAward by @niamhsquared

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7 months ago

It's Ordinary Saints paperback publication day!

I am so grateful for the life this book has had in hardback, and to everyone who's read it so far. The response has been far beyond what I imagined. HOWEVER. To me, paperback is truly the greatest format, it's where a book's real life begins. Take it on the train, to the pub, to a freezing Scottish beach in February. Get croissant crumbs stuck in the binding. Glance over the top of the page and make meaningful eye contact with a stranger.

Time for hot paperback Ferdia to see the world! by @niamhsquared

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8 months ago

Paperbacks are here!

As @djsaracox kindly shared with the nation last year, the first time I held a bound copy of my novel I left it in the pub.

And because we are nothing if not committed to the bit, we went back to the same pub last night to wet the paperback's head.

Thanks to everyone at @manilla_press for doing such a spectacular job. Officially out next Thursday but in some shops already, I believe. Or you can pre-order at the link in my bio.

Also, I occassionally get asked what advice I have for other writers and probably my top tip is to have a pal like @orlaithminogue who will let no obstacle stand in the way of celebrating a book milestone, that otherwise might have slipped by unmarked. by @niamhsquared

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8 months ago