StrictlySpeaking.Me
Books
by Martin Kay
After a first degree at Manchester University reading Law, I went to sea in the Royal Navy because I didn’t think that the legal profession was for me (my first experience of Power). I had a wonderful time flying maritime helicopters, mostly SEAKING, and also did my Masters at Cambridge in International Relations. I left the Navy in 1990 and my writing career began shortly afterwards.
What follows is one way of becoming a writer. My point is to show you what a zig-zag, difficult route it can be. But at least you collect experience along the way!
My greatest experience is twofold. First, unless you are very fortunate, you will earn very little; and, second, the way to earn real reward is to write something worthwhile and then give it away to charity or similar cause.
You can see how I did it below and read why I believe it will help you.
The County Durham Book
This was a large ‘coffee table’ book written under contract for the Economic Development Unit of County Durham Council. It was extremely successful and was translated into German. The book described the history, culture, economy, environment and social life of this very beautiful County. Go there if you can (with a car) – you’ll love it.
Double Take
Appropriately entitled, you'll discover. I co-wrote this outrageous tale with a mother called Vicky Harper. The book addressed the failure of the British justice system to hold accountable three youths who together murdered her twin 17 year-old daughters.
‘Murdered’? Yes, I use the word deliberately: no-one had the courage to pursue me for Double Take. And I cannot help noticing either that no woman stepped forward to help Vicky tell her story, despite her repeated public requests for help. That is worth thinking about: draw your own conclusions – I have drawn mine.
My Ph.D. Thesis
Entitled Public Private Partnerships: The Challenge of Accountability, Stewardship and Legitimacy; my research was conducted at the University of Limerick. I draw upon the lessons it provides in the last book below called Blind-Thinking.
After completing research and working on the Shannon Tunnel Project for three years, I became very involved with the riverbank environment and communities at Limerick.
The first thing I did was to run the administration of a wooden boat-building school during which I spoke for Ireland in a major EU Conference – a very proud moment. Before this I prepared a complete and very detailed archive on the late Conor O’Brien of Dromoland family attachments in the County Clare.
Conor O'Brien Archive
Conor was a very famous sailor whom I discuss further in my latest book ‘Blind-Thinking’. The archive is in the Falkland Islands section of the Queens University Belfast main library. It examines his 1921-22 round-the-world sailing adventure in the yacht ‘Saoirse’ and his preparation, with the Cadogan brothers of Oldcourt, Skibbereen, of the ketch, ‘Ilen’.
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And next, I ran a blog called ‘Voice of the River’ relating news, events, flauna, flora, oral histories – and then this happened:
Limerick Flood
I was so deeply involved with people along the Limerick riverbanks, particularly on King’s Island, that when it was suddenly flooded on 1 February 2014, I dropped everything and started using my Ph.D. investigative skills. I discovered injustice, unpreparedness, politicking and even the storing away of ‘support’ donations in bank accounts they weren’t intended for. The research was discussed at the McGill Summer School that year which was pleasing. A copy of the finished book was presented to each of the 350 households on Kings Island in late January 2015.
I have a few books left if you are interested – 7.99 euros each plus postage.
At this point, I became sufficiently clear in my mind to declare that I was becoming a specialist in people struggling with Power at the interface with the State. I am not sure that anyone listened but at least I declared it.
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The Solitary Voice of Dissent
People in Ireland might understand this better as the ‘Maurice McCabe phenomenon’ (google it if you don’t). The book grew in my mind during 2015 and, when I was taken into hospital in late December, I had completed it by the end of January 2016. Don’t buy it, it’s expensive and intended for academic libraries.
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But I was pleased to see that the Tribunal in Dublin Castle, investigating Sgt. Maurice McCabe's allegations against the Guards also held a copy of the book.
Looking at Isobel
This was my first attempt at fiction. It’s a ghost story based on an experience I had near my home. To be truthful, it’s about 97% my life story. The version on Amazon has not yet been vetted by me. You may prefer to buy it here by subscription and after correction. I apologise if you obtain a copy which is clearly imperfect and in need of editing
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The Youth, Adventures and
Anniversaries of St Anthony of Padua
This book looks at the formation of the young St Anthony who has many 800 year-old anniversaries in the decade ahead. You can only buy it from the publisher or the Capuchins at Holy Trinity in Cork to whom I gave full ownership.
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Scrip-Crazy Too
This is my second fiction attempt and is not to be confused with SCRIP-CRAZY, which was uploaded to Amazon before I had finished it. The book describes my dreams, nightmares and general experiences following my severe stroke and under the influence of a massive dose of prescription drugs (hence SCRIP-CRAZY).
I have offered all of the rights to the Cork Stroke Support Group in order to assist fund-raising. Otherwise, it should be available on Amazon.
Blind-Thinking
A personal odyssey through Power and Fear (with Technical Advice for Research Students). This is my latest book and I don’t have a front cover for it yet. I am very proud of it, it’s the best thing I have written. At the moment, it is being considered by several publishers but I cannot yet be certain whether they will take it. I think someone will – it’s a good piece of work and very relevant to our times. I have already offered all rights in the book to the SIMON Charity in Ireland and UK for fund-raising purposes. I shall explain how this might work in the Discussion pages of this site where I hope you will send me your ideas.
The next book? Well, I have a new idea in mind..
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