Couple’s bedtime stories grow into full-time business
A couple who started writing down the stories they were telling their first child has now set up their own publishing house and hope to encourage more Irish authors of children’s books.
Derek Mulveen and his wife Michelle Melville’s latest book is Oisín the Brave – Robot Island, the second of a series of books about Oisín who looks set to work his way through a range of adventures, inspired by Irish myths.
The book was launched in Charlie Byrne’s bookshop on Saturday week and is now widely available in shops for €7.99.
It is the story of Oisín the Brave and Orane the Dragon as they travel across many seas, meeting strange creatures to help a little robot on a quest to find the golden key and save Robot Island before time runs out.
The couple from Oranmore have two children now, Mikaela aged five and Matthew, just 20 months and the idea to start writing the books originally came from them telling their first born bedtime stories. Their first book was called Oisín the Brave Moon Adventure.
“I love childrens’ stories and childrens’ books and it was something I thought I would do but this became more real after having children.
We do sit down and come up with storylines and characters. Then Derek draws the characters and we use a service in the US to put those characters into illustrations for the book.
“It has been easier to market the second book because we are the ones getting invites now to go to book festivals – Derek has been to Milwaukee Irish Fest and that went very well and he has been asked to return,” said Michelle.
The books certainly have an Irish flair and the last three pages give Irish language translations of some of the words that pop up in the book. All of the books will include this feature and will all feature Oisín the Brave and his friends.
The books are meant to be interactive and aimed at children aged 3 to 7 years old, she said. As her children get older, she is not ruling out another series involving older characters that would appeal to older children.
“So far we are concentrating on the 3 to 7 years old and in fact plan to bring out one for younger children but we might in the future, as our own get older, write for older children. But the writing is still done on a part-time basis,” adds Michelle who works for a construction company.
Derek used to be in the construction industry as well until the economic bust and decided to change careers. He is now a Special Needs Assistant in Lakeview School in Renmore.
They didn’t approach any publishers when they completed their first book but decided to self-publish and set up their own publishing house.
“We were both in business and we decided to give it a go and it is our plan to expand it to include other writers of childrens’ books.”
The books were printed abroad as they couldn’t find any Irish printers who could print the book at a price which would be affordable.
“We feel that at €7.99 the books are very affordable but if we were to print them here, we wouldn’t be able to sell them for less than €24,” she explained.
The books are receiving great attention because of there Irish flavour.
The books are available in bookshops or can be bought on line by visiting their website www.EiresKids.com.