The Late Night Writers Club by Annie West
In rich and abundant illustrations, Annie West tells a rowdy story of artistic struggle, ego and unexpected kindness. You will never look at the Irish Literary Canon in the same way again.
A talented but annoying Debut Author, suffering from writer’s block and mysterious headaches, ghosted by his girlfriend and on his last chance with his bartender job, takes refuge in the National Library of Ireland, hoping for some last-minute inspiration within those hallowed walls.
Tortured by literary inadequacy and disappointed love, can he somehow absorb the famous modesty of Yeats, the wit of Edgeworth, the charm of Binchy, the wisdom of Heaney? But a weird twist of fate or perhaps a guiding hand reveals all is not what it seems in the library after dark, and The Author soon discovers: be careful what you wish for. In rich and abundant illustrations, Annie West tells a rowdy story of artistic struggle, ego and unexpected kindness. You will never look at the Irish Literary Canon in the same way again.
About the Author
Annie West is an award-winning illustrator and writer who has had two authored books published and illustrated dozens more. Annie has exhibited her Yeats in Love series to much acclaim and her work has been acquired by admirers such as President Michael D. Higgins, Neil Jordan, Seamus Heaney and the United States Embassy.
Born in 1961, Annie graduated from Dun Laoghaire College of Art & Design (IADT) in 1979 with a Diploma in Design for Communications. She began working in the Design Department at RTÉ and Tyne Tees Television and various independent TV productions for Channel Four. This was followed by a decade working in the Art Department on feature films in Ireland, Britain and America. Around 1991 Annie left the Film & TV industry to concentrate on illustrating and cartooning full time.
She specialises in highly detailed pen and ink drawings with the emphasis on detail. She is particular and punctual, and can work to extremely tight deadlines.
Annie has won a number of Awards: The Alfred Beit Award in 1993 & 1994, The NCEA Patent Practicioners’ Award 1994, and the Illustrators’ Guild Best Book Illustration Award 2003 & 2004.
A selection of Annie’s work was recently added to the National Library of Ireland’s permanent Cartoon & Illustration Archive.
Praise for Annie West
‘I love Annie West’s work; it’s delicious, insightful, humane and, when called for, savagely satirical.’
— Lenny Abrahamson (for Annie West's work)
‘Annie West’s excellent and hilarious work ranks with Steinberg, Wilson and Larson atop the world of the absurd.’
— US Ambassador to Ireland, Tom Foley (for Annie West's work)
‘Annie West is a remarkable and individual artist with a sense of fun who combines skill in draftsmanship and colouring with a sly insight into literature.’
— Senator David Norris (for Annie West's work)
Publisher: New Island Books
Date Published: 21 August 2023
Hardback, 120 pages
ISBN: 9781848408630
