JM Agency

02/09/2026

Choosing the right venue can shape the entire atmosphere of a book launch.

It doesn’t need to be the biggest or most impressive space. What matters is finding somewhere that suits the book, the author and the audience — and helps create the kind of event you want people to remember.

In this video, Jeremy looks at some of the practical things worth considering when choosing a launch venue, from location and accessibility to capacity, atmosphere and how well the space fits the book itself.

As always, if there’s a publishing question you’d like us to cover in a future video, leave it in the comments.

01/09/2026

🎙️📚 A thoughtful conversation on books, writing and the creative process.

We’re delighted to see Tony Guerin featured on 'The Wishing Well' on Dublin South FM, where he speaks with Jillian Godsil about his striking new experimental novel, 'Quilt'.

Jillian does wonderful work in championing writers and creating space for meaningful conversations around books, ideas and the writing life, and her conversation with Tony was an unsurprisingly rich and engaging interview.

'Quilt' is a bold, original novel from Tony Guerin — a work of layered stories and unexpected connections, stitched together with imagination, insight and flair.

Our thanks to Jillian Godsil and The Wishing Well for supporting authors and independent publishing, and warm congratulations to Tony on this lovely radio spotlight.

🎧 See the link to listen to the full interview in our Story or in the comments below

28/08/2026

📸 A remarkable photographic legacy, brought to life.

JM Agency is proud to have collaborated with the Estate of James G Maguire on the publication of 'From Pillar to Post: A personal portrait of life in Dublin in the mid-1900s'.

James G Maguire was a professional photographer in Dublin for more than forty years, beginning in 1950. His extraordinary archive captures the city and its people with an honesty and intimacy that make these photographs feel as alive today as when they were first taken.

There is also a deeply personal story behind the book. After being diagnosed with cancer in 1997, Jim spent his final months quietly selecting, printing and refining some of his favourite images from a lifetime behind the camera. The photographs were carefully stored away and, more than twenty-five years later, have finally been brought together in the book he had envisaged.

'From Pillar to Post' is more than a collection of photographs. It is a time capsule of Dublin at a pivotal moment in its history, and a lasting tribute to James G Maguire’s remarkable eye and artistry.

Our sincere thanks to the Maguire family for entrusting us with such an important part of Jim’s legacy.

See links in comments & Story for where you can purchase this remarkable book⤵!

24/08/2026

✨ Nuacht iontach!

We’re incredibly proud that 'Scairt na Samhna – Áine sa Neidín' has been shortlisted for the prestigious Gradam de Bhaldraithe 2026 at the Oireachtas Publishing Awards.

The Irish-language edition of author Hazel Mulqueen’s 'Howl at Halloween – Áine Goes to Kenmare' follows young Áine from Dublin to Kenmare, where a Halloween visit to Granny becomes a celebration of family, community, place and the traditions that connect generations.

Warmest congratulations to Hazel, whose heartfelt story celebrates family, belonging and the magic of Halloween in Ireland; to illustrator Catherine Woods, whose wonderful artwork captures that magic so beautifully on every page; and to translator Ciara Begley, whose exceptional Irish-language translation has now received this richly deserved recognition. A fantastic achievement for all three.

A special thanks also to the JM Agency team behind the book — particularly Joanne Cafferky for her careful proofread of the English edition, and Parvathi, whose wonderful design work brought Hazel’s story and Catherine’s illustrations to life so beautifully.

Congratulations to all of the authors, translators and publishers represented on this year’s shortlist. 📚💚

And sincere thanks to An tOireachtas for continuing to provide such an important platform for Irish-language publishing.

We couldn’t be prouder!!

21/08/2026

🌿 Coming Soon: Reclaiming Your Health – Vol. 1

Stress has become such a familiar part of modern life that we often don’t recognise its effects until our bodies and minds begin to struggle.

In 'Reclaiming Your Health: A Guided Journey from Stress to Burnout Recovery', educator, counsellor and health psychology researcher Joan Maycock offers readers an accessible and compassionate guide to understanding stress, managing its effects and protecting their long-term health.

Drawing on evidence-based research and years of professional experience, Joan explores what happens within us when stress takes hold — from the biological and psychological responses we rarely notice to the patterns that can gradually lead towards exhaustion and burnout.

This is not a book about eliminating stress. It is about understanding it, responding to it differently, and learning practical ways to restore balance before stress begins to take too much.

We’re delighted to be helping Joan bring this important and timely book to readers.

📚 Coming soon.

20/08/2026

🇮🇪✨ Táimid thar a bheith bródúil go bhfuil Scairt na Samhna – Áine sa Neidín ar ghearrliosta Ghradam de Bhaldraithe 2026!

What wonderful news to receive.

We are absolutely delighted that 'Scairt na Samhna – Áine sa Neidín', the Irish-language edition of Hazel Mulqueen’s 'Howl at Halloween – Áine Goes to Kenmare', has been shortlisted for Gradam de Bhaldraithe at the 2026 Oireachtas Publishing Awards.

At its heart, this is a story about family, community, belonging and the traditions that connect children with the places and people around them. Áine travels from Dublin to Kenmare to spend Halloween with her Granny, discovering the beauty of autumn in Kerry and the old and new traditions surrounding this very special time of year.

To see the Irish-language edition recognised in this way is a particularly proud moment for everyone involved in bringing the book to life.

Warmest congratulations to Hazel Mulqueen, illustrator Catherine Woods, and translator Ciara Begley.

And a special word of thanks to the JM Agency team behind the project, particularly Joanne, who undertook a thorough proofread of the English edition, and Parvathi, whose exceptional design work helped bring Hazel’s story and Catherine’s illustrations together so beautifully on the page.

Congratulations too to all of the authors, translators and publishers who have been shortlisted this year. 👏📚

Our sincere thanks to An tOireachtas and the judging team for this wonderful recognition and for continuing to celebrate and champion books in the Irish language.

A very special day for Áine. 💚

✨Gearrliosta Ghradam de Bhaldraithe 2026!✨

Comhghairdeas leis na tithe foilsitheoireachta & na haistritheoirí ar fad a bhain gearrliosta na bliana amach!🎉

Tuilleadh Eolais: www.antoireachtas.ie

19/08/2026

Do you need an ISBN to publish a book?

It’s one of the questions that comes up regularly when authors are preparing a book for publication, and the answer isn’t always as straightforward as people expect.

In this short video, Jeremy looks at what an ISBN actually does, when you need one, and why it matters when it comes to distribution and selling.

Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing more short videos on some of the practical questions authors encounter during the publishing process.

If there’s a publishing question you’d like me to cover, leave it in the comments.

18/08/2026

We’re starting a new series at JM Agency, sharing practical insights from our work with talented authors and the remarkable books they bring to us.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing a series of short videos looking at some of the questions that come up most often when working with authors. These range from editing, book design and publishing options to printing, distribution and the many practical decisions involved in turning a manuscript into a professionally produced book and bringing it successfully to market.

The aim is to share some of what we’ve learned through working with writers at different stages of the publishing process, and hopefully make some of it a little less mysterious along the way.

This first video is an introduction to the series.

And if there’s a publishing question you’d like us to cover in a future video, please leave it in the comments; we would love to hear your suggestions.

11/08/2026

✨ Every debut novel begins with an idea, and a writer willing to take that first step.

At JM Agency, it's a privilege to help authors transform manuscripts into finished books and to support them through every stage of the publishing journey. Seeing a debut novel find its readers is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.

We're incredibly grateful to Linda Raed Gallagher, author of 'Undertow', for her generous words and for placing her trust in our team.

Set on Ireland's rugged north-west coast, 'Undertow' is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that follows a local priest drawn into a dangerous web of secrets, drugs and abuse after a desperate woman seeks his help. Rich in suspense and moral tension, it is a compelling debut from an exciting new voice in Irish crime fiction.

Thank you, Linda, for allowing us to be part of your publishing journey. We wish you every success with 'Undertow' and look forward to seeing where your writing takes you next.

If you're considering publishing your own book and would like to learn more about how JM Agency can help, we'd be delighted to hear from you.

24/07/2026

🏆📚 Warmest congratulations to Owen Dwyer and the team at publisher Ely's Arch!

We're absolutely delighted to see 'The Garfield Conspiracy' shortlisted for the 2026 Rubery Book Award.

This prestigious recognition is richly deserved and is another wonderful example of an Irish author and an independent publisher making their mark on the international stage.

Part historical mystery, part psychological literary thriller, 'The Garfield Conspiracy' follows a burnt-out novelist who becomes haunted by the historical figures surrounding the assassination of US President James Garfield. As the lines between history, fiction and reality begin to blur, he is drawn into an extraordinary conspiracy that threatens both his sanity and his life.

At JM Agency, we've had the pleasure of working with Owen across several manuscripts over the years and have been delighted to support his development as a writer. We're currently seeking publishing homes for two of his latest manuscripts, both of which we believe represent the next exciting chapter in his career. We look forward to sharing more news on those projects in the months ahead.

Owen's Rubery Award shortlist is a wonderful achievement and further recognition of his talent as a novelist. We wish Owen and everyone at Ely's Arch the very best of luck in the final stage of the awards.