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Author: Geraldine Lavelle Publication Date: 2025 Publisher: Book Hub Publishing ISBN: 978-1-0685633-5-5 I. Executive Summary Geraldine Lavelle's "When the Apple is Ready, it Will Fall" is a profound and deeply personal account of her life following a tragic cycling accident in 2013 that resulted in a spinal cord injury and paralysis. The book serves as a detailed exploration of her journey to find mental strength, resilience, and purpose amidst immense physical and emotional challenges. Lavelle critiques the systemic failures of the healthcare and disability support systems in Ireland, particularly regarding institutionalisation and inadequate care provisions. A central theme revolves around the nuanced relationship between hope and pragmatic action, with the author ultimately advocating for a realistic, adaptable mindset in the face of insurmountable obstacles. The narrative is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to not merely survive, but to actively live and flourish, even when confronted with profound loss and an uncertain future.II. Main Themes and Key Ideas A. Resilience: The Indomitable Human Spirit Lavelle’s primary message is the extraordinary power of human resilience, which she defines as "the capacity to bounce back" from trauma and loss. Her own experience of spinal cord injury and paralysis did not break her, despite numerous physical and emotional hardships:Overcoming Adversity: "A tragic cycling accident that resulted in my spinal cord injury and paralysis from my chest downwards didn’t break me." This sentiment is echoed throughout the initial chapters, listing a litany of challenges including "multiple operations and blood transfusions," "constant nerve pain 24 hours a day, seven days a week," and "the loss of my permanent job and long-term relationship." Growth from Struggle: Lavelle asserts that her disability, while paralyzing parts of her life, allowed "the strong, resilient other parts [to] never have evolved, developed or existed." She notes, "The more we fall, the more we learn how to get up, hopefully bigger, better, and stronger for the next challenge." Positive Psychology: The author highlights Martin Seligman's "positive psychology," which shifts the focus from what went wrong to "what constitutes and underpins human resilience and how to cultivate or build these factors." Internal Strength: Lavelle concludes that this "resilience or indomitable will...was inside me; I just needed to engage it." She champions a "flexible, forward-looking mindset" over a rigidly fixed one. B. The Nuance of Hope: A Double-Edged Sword Hope is presented as a complex and often contradictory force, both essential for survival and potentially detrimental if unrealistic.Hope as a Motivator: Initially, hope is described as vital: "Hope resides in the hearts of the good, liberating us from despair and giving us the strength to move on." Quoting Jane Goodall, "So by being active, perhaps we become more hopeful, but you won’t be active unless you hope that your action is going to do some good. So you need hope to get you going, but then by taking action, you generate more hope. It’s a circular thing.” False Hope as an Impediment: Lavelle painfully recounts how "my hope to walk again stopped me from progressing." She quotes Nietzsche: “Hope in reality is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torments of man.” Unrealistic hopes led to "great disappointment and disillusionment" when expectations were "irrevocably crushed." Realistic Hope and Action: The author advocates for "tempering the idealism that grants us hope with the hard, unalterable facts of reality." She learned to direct her plans towards "hope that was achievable," such as becoming "as independent and as happy as possible." Barack Obama's quote reinforces this: “The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.” C. Survival vs. Living: Finding Purpose Beyond Mere Existence Lavelle draws a clear distinction between merely existing and truly living, emphasizing the importance of purpose.Defining the Difference: "I chose to live, to actively experience aspects of life, not just to occupy space...for me, living is when you enjoy life, the bitter and the sweet, the struggles and the hopes. And surviving is when you only just live, you don't enjoy the life, you don't have hope. You just keep living because you haven't died yet." The Inadequacy of Survival: "Merely surviving is no way to pass your days." She highlights that survival, while sometimes necessary temporarily (e.g., a plane crash), "is not (and should not be) a way of life." Finding Purpose: After her injury, Lavelle "found myself merely surviving...so I looked for purpose. I found writing—something that brings a sense of accomplishment to myself and helps others (I hope)." Her memoir itself is an act of living, not just surviving: "I write my memoirs; to show others that the human will compels you to persevere in the face of adversity, to meet challenges armed with courage, strength, and resilience." D. Health Challenges and Self-Advocacy The book provides a stark look at the extensive health complications faced by individuals with spinal cord injuries and the critical need for personal responsibility in managing one's health.Chronic Health Issues: Lavelle details "frequent infections, weight loss, pressure sores, and being bedbound for several months." She also discusses "reduced lung capacity and several hospitalisations due to pneumonia" as well as "neuropathic pain" and the risk of "osteoporosis" and fractures. Antibiotic Mismanagement and Resistance: A significant personal struggle was "60 courses of acute antibiotics" between 2016-2021 and an "excessive antibiotics at the beginning of my spinal cord injury". She explicitly states the danger of antibiotic resistance, noting how it "leads to higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality." This led to "onset liver failure with decreased enzymatic functioning of my liver, unusual blood cell profile and kidney distortion." Natural Remedies: Lavelle found relief and reversal of some organ damage through "herbs and natural remedies," inspired by Maria Treben's "Health through God’s Pharmacy." She uses dandelion, milk thistle, horsetail, ginger, and turmeric to support her liver, gastrointestinal health, and hair growth. Taking Control: Emphasising self-advocacy, she states, "it’s your responsibility to get to grips with your health, your medication, your body and staying as physically active as possible." E. Bureaucracy and Institutionalisation: A Systemic Failure Lavelle offers a scathing critique of the Irish disability support system, highlighting the profound injustices and mental toll of battling bureaucracy."Bureaucracy is hell": Lavelle's struggle for an "ordinary life, independently, in my own home" was met with constant resistance and inadequate funding. Her care hours were reduced from 47 to 42 per week, despite a documented need for 56 hours. This was attributed to "a limited 'PA budget due to a lack of investment for many years'." Impact of Institutionalisation: She spent "almost a decade in a residential setting", which she describes as an "enemy of one’s sense of personal control." She defines institutions as facilities that "deprive residents of essential freedoms, segregate them from their communities, suppress individual choice and personal expression, and foster a perception that people with disabilities are different and unable to take a place in society." Human Rights Violations: Lavelle explicitly states, "The segregation of people with disabilities is a human rights violation," referencing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Waiting Lists and Underfunding: She highlights that "Countless disabled people in Ireland are eligible to receive HCBS but are on waiting lists due solely to a lack of funding." Critique of Disability Reform: Lavelle vehemently opposes the "Government’s Green Paper on Disability Reform" to medically examine and "categorise" people with disabilities based on their ability to work, calling it "a dystopian and Dickensian attack on disabled citizens and carers." She notes similar policies led to suicides in the UK. Pay Parity Strike Action: She details the anxiety caused by the impending strike of Section 39 staff due to "untenable pay inequality" compared to HSE counterparts, underscoring the "disdain for the government for allowing widespread disruption, fear, and angst to spread throughout the disabled community." F. The Changing Self and Acceptance Lavelle reflects on how her identity and perspective have transformed since her accident, emphasizing acceptance and present-moment living.Loss of the Former Self: She acknowledges the "raw grief of losing her [old self] has faded," but still misses "her physical strength, her raw determination and power to get stuff done, her agility and speed." Evolved Perspective: "My metrics in life have changed. I no longer care much about the little things that used to bother me." She learned to "be less judgmental" and to "do what I want rather than what is expected." Embracing Change and Present Moment: "I am unable to think or plan too far ahead; my plans are made a week in advance at most." She has learned that "the only things I have control over are myself, how I feel, and how I respond to life’s situations." The Buddha's Four Noble Truths resonate, advocating for relinquishing cravings and living each day as it comes. Acceptance of Suffering: "By recognising that suffering is integral to our lives and that there are other benefits to pain, such as the cultivation of wisdom and compassion, we become more accepting of our suffering and suffering of others. And when we truly accept grief and sorrow as inevitable, we actually suffer less." Redefining Identity: "As a wheelchair user, I am not worth less; my disability doesn’t define who I am and it is not a problem." III. Important Ideas and Facts Author's Injury: Spinal cord injury and paralysis from the chest downwards due to a cycling accident on October 31st, 2013. Brain's Power: The human brain, "more complex than any other known structure in the universe," wields "immense power, enabling us to endure seemingly impossible situations." Neurological Advancements: Lavelle finds hope in the case of Gert-Jan Oskam, a man paralysed in 2011, who could stand and walk with assistance after doctors implanted a "digital bridge" device that reads brainwaves and sends instructions to his spine. This system re-established communication between brain and spinal cord, allowing for "more natural movements than before because standing up and walking were initiated and controlled by thinking about the actions." Hospital Overcrowding: The INMO Trolley Watch figures show "over 121,526 patients have gone without a bed in Irish hospitals in 2023," making it "the worst year for hospital overcrowding on record." Lavelle personally experienced waiting "six hours in an ambulance" and a further "16 hours on a trolley in the red zone of the Emergency Department." Catheter-Associated UTIs (CAUTI): A frequent reality for SCI patients, these infections are a "major health concern" and contribute to antibiotic resistance. Long-Term Care and HCBS: Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) are crucial for independent living for people with disabilities but are severely underfunded in Ireland, leading to long waiting lists. Personal Care Assistant (PA) Budget: Lavelle's struggle highlights the "massive burden on a small budget" for PA services, with a typical maximum of 14 hours per week, far below her needed 56 hours. Disability Allowance Concerns: The Department of Social Protection's proposal to medically examine "a quarter of a million people" on Disability Allowance is criticized as "vile and repulsive" and potentially detrimental to mental health, drawing parallels to a failed UK policy. UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Ireland is a signatory, but its actions, particularly regarding institutionalisation and disability reform, are seen as falling short of its commitments. Institutionalisation's Definition: Not just about size, but about the "regimented culture" that "deprive[s] residents of essential freedoms, segregate[s] them...suppress[es] individual choice and personal expression." Coping Mechanisms: Denial can be a "protective barrier" but "long-term it’s not good." Cultivating "self-compassion and self-care" is essential. The "Irish Grand": A cultural tendency to downplay suffering, saying "everything is 'grand'," which can "hide the soul crushing apathy that really lies beneath it." Healing is Gradual: Lavelle emphasizes that "Healing is a gradual process...There is no magic solution and everyone’s process and timeline is not the same." She recently sought grief therapy, acknowledging the emotional toll she had previously suppressed. IV. ConclusionGeraldine Lavelle's "When the Apple is Ready, it Will Fall" is a powerful and candid narrative that goes beyond a personal story of overcoming disability. It is a critical examination of societal attitudes towards disability, the shortcomings of public services, and a profound philosophical inquiry into what it means to truly live. Her journey from paralysis and despair to a purposeful, independent life, despite ongoing battles, serves as a compelling call to action for greater empathy, understanding, and systemic change for people with disabilities. The book's core message is the immense, often untapped, power of the human spirit to adapt, find meaning, and flourish in the face of life's inevitable storms, temp

Geraldine Lavelle's "When the Apple is Ready, it Will Fall"

Excerpts from Kevin Prunty's book (2024), titled "Incubating the Trout: The Story Of The Oldest Salmonid Hatchery In The World and the Environmental Fight to Protect It."Date: February 2024. Prepared by: Conor MacGiolla Bhuí, MScExecutive Summary This blog summarises key themes and facts from Kevin Prunty's book, "Incubating the Trout," which details the history of the Oughterard Hatchery, the world's oldest salmonid hatchery, and the ongoing environmental battle to protect the Owenriff River system and Lough Corrib from pollution and invasive species. The book highlights the hatchery's historical significance, the chronic issues of agricultural runoff, outdated sewage systems, and the impact of non-native pike on native salmonid populations and the critically endangered Freshwater Pearl Mussel. It underscores the consistent failure of Irish State Agencies to adequately implement national and EU environmental legislation, often requiring intervention from the European Union to prompt action.<figure id="figure-xin5wlo03mfgv483x"><img id="xin5wlo03mfgv483x" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/22A846x4V4nQRTgTLWbXYOnOxid30BhHcNZ1t7uSgeMt4bJxhUNuseHrYWJmSZEq.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/22A846x4V4nQRTgTLWbXYOnOxid30BhHcNZ1t7uSgeMt4bJxhUNuseHrYWJmSZEq.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Main Themes and Key Ideas 1. The Oughterard Hatchery: A Legacy of Conservation and Education Historical Significance: The Oughterard Hatchery, established in December 1852 by Edmund &amp; Thomas Ashworth under the direction of Robert Ramsbottom, is "the start of the world’s first commercially operated salmon hatchery." It initially focused on salmon propagation and later transitioned to brown trout in 1908. Its methods, such as the 'wet method' of stripping fish and early sea cage rearing, garnered global attention and formed the basis for authoritative papers on hatchery management. Volunteer-Driven Conservation: The hatchery has a long history of being managed and maintained by dedicated volunteers and angling clubs. From the Corrib Fisheries Association (1898) to the Galway &amp; Corrib Anglers Association (1938) and the Lough Corrib Angling Federation, local anglers have consistently invested time, effort, and finances to ensure its operation. John Gibbons, a volunteer since 1985, is particularly lauded for his significant contributions, including overseeing a major reconstruction in 1992. Essential Role as a "Monitoring Station and Backup Plan": Anglers view the hatchery not as a replacement for natural processes but as "a monitoring station and backup plan because of pressure from pollution and invasive species on the Owenriff system." It aims to replenish fish stocks under threat and serves as an "educational tool to involve young people in the protection of their environment." Survival and Impact of Stocking: While genetic studies from UCD and QUB (2006, 2012, 2018) suggest "no impact, either positive or negative, on the overall Corrib trout population" from Oughterard fry stocking, the author contends that "areas that were stocked were very productive when it came to fishing." The significant annual release of approximately 250,000 unfed fry, even with a 5-10% survival rate, is seen as a crucial aid to trout stocks, with observations of salmonids returning to the Owenriff for spawning, potentially to where they originated.<figure id="figure-yxiy6ozld7mfgv6t2o"><img id="yxiy6ozld7mfgv6t2o" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1GufmhXnFUfK9eMwW13sC66Fu1qTAruB7hec9GszfkCDQsajzqoQzmQU9zOjlFJH.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1GufmhXnFUfK9eMwW13sC66Fu1qTAruB7hec9GszfkCDQsajzqoQzmQU9zOjlFJH.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure> 2. Widespread Pollution and Environmental Degradation of the Owenriff System and Lough CorribMultifaceted Sources of Pollution: The Owenriff River system, a vital spawning ground for salmon and trout and home to the endangered Freshwater Pearl Mussel, faces severe threats from: Agricultural Runoff: "Massive amounts of fertiliser run-off draining from coniferous forestry" and "bad farming practices", including slurry spreading on peatlands, are identified as major contributors. Water sampling in 2021 showed phosphate readings "a minimum of 15 times" the legal limit for salmonid waters. Elevated ammoniacal nitrogen levels are also "catastrophic" and a likely cause of fish egg deaths. The EPA's 2021 report attributes "sixty-three percent of impacted water bodies stems from agriculture." Outdated Sewage Systems: Oughterard's "outdated town sewage treatment plant", built in the 1940s, consistently discharged poorly treated wastewater into the Owenriff River, a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Despite €7.0 million allocated in 2003 for a new plant, construction only began in 2016, "twelve years after the original start date." This contributed to issues like the cryptosporidium outbreak in Lough Corrib in 2007. Coniferous Forestry: Extensive planting of non-indigenous coniferous trees on Connemara boglands, coupled with heavy rock phosphate fertilisation, has led to "huge problems from fertiliser run-off into spawning streams." Dr. Roderick O’Sullivan highlighted that these plantations produce acid particles, resulting in "a huge run-off of aluminium into the river’s spawning beds." A leaked memo in 2006 described Irish forestry as a "fertiliser timebomb". Impact on Biodiversity:Arctic Char: Disappeared from Lough Corrib in the mid-1980s, blamed on increasing pollution. Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera): Critically endangered, this species relies on salmonids for dispersal. Dr. Evelyn Moorkens' 2004 investigation found a "big decline in mussel under five years old due to fertiliser run-off from the forestry." Later water testing in 2023 continued to show dangerously high levels of pollutants, making a sustainable reproducing population impossible. Salmonid Health: Pollution has led to a significant decline in ova production at the hatchery, from "close to 2,000 per hen fish in 1993" to "700 per fish in 2004," and a record "seventy-five percent" mortality rate for fry in 2021-22. Anglers as Environmental Activists: The Lough Corrib Angling Federation and the Carra/Mask/Corrib Water Protection Group (C/M/C Water Prot. Gr.) have played a crucial role in documenting pollution, lobbying politicians, and taking cases to the EU. They have successfully stopped various damaging developments, including pier extensions and dog pounds.<figure id="figure-7dcn3h5rsqmfgv7l6o"><img id="7dcn3h5rsqmfgv7l6o" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2btwv6LPiXNGdSGRrbejRgGVLN4TjIowKNSyt2RANEntyHR8iT2uklW36mDnni30.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2btwv6LPiXNGdSGRrbejRgGVLN4TjIowKNSyt2RANEntyHR8iT2uklW36mDnni30.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure> 3. The Threat of Invasive Species: Pike Infestation Non-Native Predator: Pike (Esox lucius) are "non-native northern pike" that pose a significant threat to native salmonids. They are highly fecund, outbreeding trout, and piscivorous, preferentially predating on salmon and trout. Studies show pike consume significantly more trout than other fish species, even when other prey is abundant. Illegal Introduction and Range Expansion: The Owenriff system, historically pike-free due to the Canrawar waterfall barrier, saw the "illegal introduction of pike into these waters" around 2008, leading to "environmental vandalism." Surveys confirmed a decline in salmonid numbers and the eradication of salmonids in some lakes in the upper catchment. State Agency Inaction and Conflicting Byelaws: Despite the Owenriff system being an SAC with protected species like Atlantic Salmon and Freshwater Pearl Mussel, State Agencies initially failed to implement a pike eradication plan. Irish Byelaws 809 and 806 (2006), which protect "non-native species" like pike, are "directly in conflict with the management policy" of protecting native species and the EU Habitats and Water Framework Directives. A Salmonid Bye-law (964) introduced in 2018 to protect seven trout loughs was annulled due to the lack of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The subsequent revelation that no EIAs exist for bye-laws 806 and 809 highlights a "second breach of EU and Irish environmental law." The term "naturalised" began to be used by IFI to refer to coarse fish, an attempt to justify their protection, despite having no basis in EU directives. EU Intervention Required: Similar to pollution issues, action on pike eradication was only prompted by a petition from the Lough Corrib Angling Federation to the EU Court of Justice in 2017. This led to the IFI developing an "Owenriff Fish Population Rehabilitation Plan 2018" to remove pike. <figure id="figure-ynxbbeve5imfgv8fvp"><img id="ynxbbeve5imfgv8fvp" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2949kKv0wIDtaMKqz9wGkJXDPhWCiIn2NmwIfrCSK9IIQrwMVLDgNFZZck2lEbPF.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>4. Systemic Failures in Environmental Governance Lack of Implementation of EU Directives: Ireland has consistently failed to implement EU environmental laws, notably the Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) and the Habitats Directive, leading to numerous convictions and ongoing legal cases in the European Court of Justice. Michael D. Higgins TD, in 2005, stated, “The Nitrates Directive needs to be implemented. People were not for real if they weren’t going to publicly demonstrate to stop bad farming practices, outdated sewage systems, and forestry from destroying our lakes and rivers.” Underfunding and Bureaucratic Inertia: Despite significant funding allocated to State Agencies (IFI, NPWS, LAWPRO, Irish Water, EPA), environmental problems persist. There are instances of inadequate budgets for enforcement, delayed projects, and a perceived lack of urgency from senior management in addressing critical issues. Conflicting Policies: The protection afforded to non-native coarse fish through national byelaws directly contradicts the EU Habitats Directive's mandate to protect native species and their habitats, demonstrating a fundamental inconsistency in Irish environmental policy. Impact on Drinking Water: The broader consequences of water pollution extend to public health, as evidenced by the cryptosporidium outbreak and the EU Court of Justice ruling in January 2024 that Irish drinking water exceeds EU safety levels for trihalomethanes (THMs). The author posits, "Would it not be better to stop the pollution at source?" Need for Co-ordinated Action: The repeated need for EU intervention highlights a systemic failure within Ireland to proactively protect its environment. Effective implementation of existing laws, greater enforcement, and a cohesive strategy across all relevant State Agencies are crucial. <figure id="figure-hzucocoqqsmfgv5q15"><img id="hzucocoqqsmfgv5q15" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/17UTN4wIDkprnfC4DeTvoKfNrinwaiufFD9puefiMdwheI0k38OnjJ0rbdO05RHi.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/17UTN4wIDkprnfC4DeTvoKfNrinwaiufFD9puefiMdwheI0k38OnjJ0rbdO05RHi.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Conclusion The Oughterard Hatchery stands as a testament to local conservation efforts, but its story is intertwined with a broader narrative of environmental struggle. The Owenriff River and Lough Corrib are critical ecosystems under severe pressure from agricultural and sewage pollution, as well as the detrimental impact of illegally introduced pike. The sources reveal a consistent pattern of inadequate action and conflicting policies from Irish State Agencies, often requiring legal intervention from the European Union to compel compliance with environmental protection mandates. The dire state of Ireland's water quality, as evidenced by declining fish stocks, the endangerment of species like the Freshwater Pearl Mussel, and even compromised drinking water, underscores an urgent need for robust implementation and enforcement of environmental laws. The author remains "optimistic that the laws already in place to protect our water bodies and native species will eventually do just that and stop the widespread pollution and spread of non-native flora and fauna," but this requires a significant shift in political will and administrative effectiveness.©Conor MacGiolla Bhuí, September 2025.&nbsp;

The Oughterard Hatchery and the Fight to Protect Ireland's Waterways

We're continually asked about cover designs by followers and we're responding by commenting on each book we produce to bring people into our world of all things books. So, we've been going back and forth with midlands author, Lyn Maloney, and our Niall has listened carefully to her brief re book cover design. Quite a lot of thinking goes into making a cover both impactful to readers and meaningful to an author. It should speak to the book's content... For her debut book of short stories, set in rural Ireland, 'The Plainest Jane Of All', we played around with several concepts before we got the final approval from Lyn. Here's some ideas which worked to degrees but required refinement. First, Lyn wanted an orange background and very plain (get the pun?) cover...We then migrated to the idea of an elderly man in a pub with his faithful dog and came up with a few iterations on this theme finally landing on an obviously aged dog sitting beside his owner who is quietly enjoying his pint. Could we get any more Irish than that? Niall's final front cover uses softened tones and clearer visibility with gentler tonal shift for a faded, dreamlike appearance. It has slight amber warmth added to lighting for hearth-like intimacy and full sepia styling to push the vintage, nostalgic mood. We love it! And, importantly, so does Lyn!<figure id="figure-ji5kof2loemfdx4e8n"><img id="ji5kof2loemfdx4e8n" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/35lNnVY81uAz24snuaYHsSX5OmF4sxrfgSM51luiJwGFltLXZcJIR7fpAYJfq6cn.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 selected" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/35lNnVY81uAz24snuaYHsSX5OmF4sxrfgSM51luiJwGFltLXZcJIR7fpAYJfq6cn.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-mce-selected="1"></figure> #bookcoverdesign #bookcover #ruralreland #shadowscriptpublications

Book Cover Design

Our Niall loves his photography jaunts and felt some detail on his stark capture of Dr Michael D Meyer's Author book signing event might be useful…<figure id="figure-puglym95mwmf5nc4qr"><img id="puglym95mwmf5nc4qr" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2f57MaX5nzQyifZRdCTJ1ZCpEg7h204mw9dG1iXB45JSt8cJyfpyGWPnH2xdDLmy.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2f57MaX5nzQyifZRdCTJ1ZCpEg7h204mw9dG1iXB45JSt8cJyfpyGWPnH2xdDLmy.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure>1. Composition The subject (Michael signing books) is framed tightly, which pulls the viewer into the action. The slight diagonal created by his bent arms and the angle of the book adds dynamism. The cluttered background (posters, door, and hands of other people) tells the story of a live, organic event rather than a staged one.2. Lighting The natural light streaming from the right creates a high-contrast effect, perfect for black and white. Michael’s traditional cap and beard catch the light nicely, adding texture and depth. The shadows falling across the page and table emphasise movement and intimacy.3. Black &amp; White Choice This strips away distractions, allowing focus on gesture, expression, and atmosphere. The textures; wool of the cap, tattoos, wooden door and paper pop beautifully in monochrome.4. Storytelling This is more than just a book signing; it captures persona and ritual. The tattoos, rings, cap, and beard suggest a strong identity, almost a character in himself. You can feel the weight of the moment: author connecting with reader, words moving from page to hand to heart.5. Technical Notes Depth of field is quite forgiving. Sharp focus on hands and book, slight softness on background, which helps separation.“Ink on skin, ink on paper. Every signature is a story within a story.”#BookSigning #AuthorLife#LiteraryCommunity #Storytelling#WritersOfInstagram #CreativeJourney#BookLovers #InspirationThroughWords#ArtInBlackAndWhite #LiveYourStory See less

Book Launch Photography

When Leaving Cert Students Return to School—Can We Get Them Off Reels and Into Real Reads? Welcome back, Leaving Cert survivors! As school kicks off this week across Ireland (hello again, senior cycle!), the challenge isn't just remembering your locker code, it’s prying your teenagers’ eyes off the glowing TikTok and YouTube vortex and steering them toward the printed page instead.<figure id="figure-c8ayemc2nnmer7id0r"><img id="c8ayemc2nnmer7id0r" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1649927045/photo/social-media-social-media-marketing-engagement-post-structure.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=cf7IaEzpHR2NNj25zqywkXaqgg9c60o46MbITLmcsIU=" alt="Social media,Social, media, Marketing, Engagement, Post - Structure," title="Social media,Social, media, Marketing, Engagement, Post - Structure," class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1649927045/photo/social-media-social-media-marketing-engagement-post-structure.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=cf7IaEzpHR2NNj25zqywkXaqgg9c60o46MbITLmcsIU=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>The Screen Strikes BackSmartphones are not innocent bystanders. They’re brain-hijacking attention bandits. A recent study across Ireland and the UK found nearly three‑quarters of students admit their phone habits hinder study, while over 75% reported negative effects on mental health. Sleep disruption and feeling “disconnected from real-life experiences” were especially common (KSBY News).TikTok-style reels are particularly pernicious. One 2025 study determined that rapid, infinite-scroll content can erode attention spans and derail students’ ability to sustain focus during longer tasks (Preprints). Meanwhile, experimental findings show that short-form video feeds like TikTok or Instagram, significantly impair prospective memory, undermining students’ ability to remember tasks set before a distraction (arXiv).So, sorry to say: brain rot is real.Page-Turners Versus Page-Swipes We’re not just nostalgic book-lovers here at ShadowScript. Research finds that comprehension from physical books is six to eight times better than from e-readers. Why? Because turning pages creates a spatial “index” in the brain that cements the memory of what you read (www.ofcom.org.uk, Psychology Today). Beyond that, reading printed literature such as novels, poetry, serious nonfiction, gives your brain a breather. It encourages deeper vocabulary, richer thought, and calmer engagement than the dopamine-fueled flick of a thumb down a screen (Psychology Today).<figure id="figure-uxn8lxuwhcmer7o6br"><img id="uxn8lxuwhcmer7o6br" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2187389224/photo/a-open-book-on-table.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=FRorWeAZZw6AkskYBZwSLQZm3SVZkhjRGMPcSMI4rnw=" alt="A open book on table" title="A open book on table" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2187389224/photo/a-open-book-on-table.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=FRorWeAZZw6AkskYBZwSLQZm3SVZkhjRGMPcSMI4rnw=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>What Literature Does to the Soul Let's talk emotional and psychological muscles. Social media and short-form feed bingeing has been connected with anxiety, especially in girls. One study reported that girls who spend five or more hours a day on social media are three times more likely to be depressed than peers who don’t use it (The Guardian). Reading, especially real books, is the antidote. It’s like emotional yoga for the mind. It improves empathy, self-awareness, reduces stress, and supports better mental health (though exact figures vary, the consensus across the literature is clear).Back to School, Back to Books So, how do we ease students off the reels and back into real reading?Lead by example. Teachers and parents start the trend. Share what you're reading and why it matters. Helmet the habits. Create short, intentional reading routines. 4 p.m. with a paperback, away from screens. Reward real engagement. Use gamified reading challenges or contests to build momentum (similar to the Indian reading‐contest model that sustained engagement weeks afterward) (arXiv). Tech with purpose. Encourage using screens for long-form learning content and not constant scrolling. <figure id="figure-1e4tppdmgemer7otkr"><img id="1e4tppdmgemer7otkr" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2183244316/photo/middle-aged-female-high-school-teacher-looking-smiling-at-camera-with-joined-hands-in.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Kl-Wg4nwjEXwWhUZJWv8xgjL9Glgmrxq7vSHTP5ZYx8=" alt="Middle-aged female high school teacher looking smiling at camera with joined hands in classroom." title="Middle-aged female high school teacher looking smiling at camera with joined hands in classroom." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2183244316/photo/middle-aged-female-high-school-teacher-looking-smiling-at-camera-with-joined-hands-in.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Kl-Wg4nwjEXwWhUZJWv8xgjL9Glgmrxq7vSHTP5ZYx8=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Wrapping up&nbsp; Leaving Certs: You’ve survived the prep, and now the real battle is staying mentally resilient in a world engineered to distract you. Books aren’t old-school. They’re your brain’s secret weapon. You need to nourish it.&nbsp;&nbsp; References Kushwaha, R. (2024). A study on the adverse effects of social media on young people's reading habits. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 5(5), 3543–3546. (Psychology Today, ResearchGate) Opara, E., Adalikwu, T. M., &amp; Tolorunleke, C. A. (2025). The impact of TikTok’s fast‑paced content on attention span of students. Preprints. (Preprints) Chiossi, F., Haliburton, L., Ou, C., Butz, A., &amp; Schmidt, A. (2023). Short‑form videos degrade our capacity to retain intentions: Effect of context switching on prospective memory. arXiv. (arXiv) Altamura, L., Vargas, C., &amp; Salmerón, L. (2023). The case for paper: Books vs. e‑readers. Psychology Today. (Psychology Today) Research firm Fluid Focus. (2025, June 23). Students on track to spend 25 years of their lifetime on phones, study warns. KSYB News. (KSBY News) Agrawal, K., Athey, S., Kanodia, A., &amp; Palikot, E. (2023). Digital interventions and habit formation in educational technology. arXiv. (arXiv)

Leaving Certificate Students Return...Love Books

dragon statue decorates the staircase at Linh Ung Pagoda in Da Nang in Vietnam in Asia

Let's have a peek into an amazing book titled 'The Spirit Dragon's Keeper' (book 1 in The Polar Saga Series) we had the pleasure of editing with Swedish born author, Catarina Lilliehöök. "I have two immediate problems. The first is my hair. It’s cut short, like that of a boy. The South China sun is bearing down on my neck like a flaming beast.&nbsp; “Tamen laile!” Beyond the curtain of swaying bamboo, excited voices announce our arrival. My throat tightens. How old will the boys in there be? And how many? I have dreaded this moment for nine long moons, and this is my second problem. Long Si, the Dragon Temple, is not for girls, especially not nine-year-old foreign girls. With twitchy fingers, I follow my master. Curved rooftops dance in my side vision, and tall mountains tower menacingly around us. How did I get from reindeer herder to this? Everything is still unreal. I have not seen a motorcar since we crossed the border; we have no horses, and Master Li’s money has dwindled along the way. The long walk has left me bone weary, and fear spikes in my system in front of the imposing gate. We enter, and I nearly stumble into my master as he halts in the lower courtyard. Buildings, mounted stone tablets and sculptures of lions and turtles surround me. My eyes instantly pick out the grand structure beyond the stairs and the upper courtyard: the Blooming Lotus Flower’s Palace Hall. I know it from Master Li’s drawing. He made me memorize it all. For a suspended moment, everything in the courtyard stops. Next, a flurry of boys surrounds us, gawking, drawing near in tighter and tighter circles. Five feet away, they stop. Their gazes strip the meat off my bones, making my heart beat wildly. Pressing my lips together, I try to hide the toe peeking from my worn left shoe. “It is good to have you back, Abbot Superior.” An old woman with a laundry basket nods in greeting. “Ah, Mei. I hope the washing is not too hard on your joints.” A second woman, wearing an apron, hurries across the upper courtyard brushing flour from her arms. “You’re back!” “Cook Ma,” Li sharpens his gaze, but at her almost imperceptible headshake, disappointment flits across his face. The crowd quickly melts away as a man with broad shoulders pushes through. His face has a carved quality, and the ends of his long black moustache nearly dips into the forked beard below. “Master Li,” he nods curtly as he comes to a stop.&nbsp; “Master Gang.” Li offers a tight-lipped smile. “How are your fighting classes?” “Very good.” He puffs up his chest, nodding at a boy with square cheeks and hard eyes. “Yong Da’s excelling. As you know, ta ai chi ku.” The boy eats bitterness like sweets. Yong Da rakes me with his gaze. I can tell what will come will not be pleasant, so I bow my burning face. A big cockroach scuttles between the throng of black canvas shoes. “Ta shu she.” The boy spits out my birth year: Snake. Master Li told them? Shock prevents me from glancing at my master. “She won’t be able to fight any warlords.” Fight warlords? Despite the heat, I shiver to my toes. Apart from the two boys flanking Yong Da, the others look away, embarrassed. I’ve learned it’s not the Chinese way to be so direct. Yong Da does not care. “Nüwu,” he snorts: witch. They know I’m a girl. My short hair is fooling no one. Or did Master Li tell them this also? I am not a witch.Anyone born in the year of the Snake can have many good qualities. Master Li taught me about China. “Xiao long,” says a little boy no more than five or six, staring from under somebody’s arm. “It’s not snake; it’s xiao long.” One of the masters pats his head. “That’s right, Xiao Wei.” He adds the prefix for little. “Little dragon is what she is.” In the Chinese zodiac, Snake comes next to Dragon, and to soften unpleasant connotations, Master Li told me that it is common to call oneself small dragon instead of Snake. How can a birth year matter so much? And why did he tell people in the village I’m an orphan? I heard him. Guer, tai kelian le. I had bitten my lip in anger. Liar! I am not an orphan. I am Mila. My parents are reindeer herders in the wild lands far above the Polar Circle. Master Li stole me and gave me a new name: Lu Mi La. In China, the surname comes first, and Lu means reindeer, so now I am Mila Reindeer. But that was many moons ago, and my memory is hazy. “Off you go,” the master gives Little Wei a gentle push. “All of you, back to your chores.” He turns and smiles. “I am Master Peng, teacher of scripture. I will show you to your room.” My room—as though this is home. Home is so far from here that my throat tightens. Home is Sápmi, the northern part of Fennoscandia, a region stretching over four countries of arctic territory: Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Temperatures often go below thirty, and the sun in winter does not even reach the horizon. Where it’s wild and free, where life moves with the seasons and the migrating herd, and where you learn to observe. I have been here less than five minutes, but already I know three things: Cook Ma bears a secret, Master Li has something Master Gang wants, and Yong Da hates me. Teeth cutting into my lip, I keep my eyes trained on the ground. The cockroach has advanced further into the throng of feet.."*Catarina's book is available to buy on Amazon and in selected bookstores globally.&nbsp;

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Leaving Certificate Students Return...Love Books

From Chapter 1, The Spirit Dragon's Keeper by Catarina Li...