Ethel Rohan

For Litquake, I interviewed Paul Lynch, author of Prophet Song, winner of the 2023 Booker Prize, a novel and night I doubt I’ll ever forget.

For LitHub, I wrote about my friend, Noelle, who died at 21; facing buried grief; emigration and leaving our mother city of Dublin; the haunt of past trespasses; the Irish rock band #Bagatelle; the slipperiness of memory; and the great consolation of writing, music, and dancing.

My deep thanks to Booth for publishing an excerpt from my forthcoming novel, Sing, I, which comes out on April 15. If you can find the time to read, I hope you enjoy.

I’m a longtime fan of all things Alta helmed by Blaise Zerega and enriched by one of my favorite contributors there Anita Felicelli. A consistently class act, the California-centered journal delivers a wealth of cultural and literary contributions. So I mean it when I say I’m thrilled to be in Alta‘s roundup of 14 April titles. Seriously, look at these books and authors. What a lovely way to enter publication month. Thank you, Alta.

Okay, it’s not the big screen, but Sing, I has a trailer that can be viewed on full-screen. I’m inching ever closer to my dream of my work becoming a film or TV series. At least that’s what I’m telling myself! I hope you enjoy.

My deep thanks to hosts Grant Faulkner and Brooke Warner for including me on their excellent, inspirational podcast Write-minded. I talk about failure, perseverance, book sales, wrestling with self-doubt, and my advice for my younger self. Thanks for taking a listen.

Thank you Martha Brennan for this feature at the Irish Star.

Enter here to win a signed, advance print copy of my second novel Sing, I: the story of one woman’s path to rediscovering herself through music, romance, and a little vigilantism.

Inside Half Moon Bay, a sparkling California coastal town, Ester Prynn is dulled and diminished by struggles with work, money, marriage, her senile father, a troubled teenage son, and old guilt she can’t quiet. When a masked gunman robs the convenience store where Ester works, he upends her fraught life and propels her toward passions buried, like singing; desires discovered, like a same-sex infatuation; and wrongs righted, like bringing the violent assailant to justice. But as the armed robber commits more crimes and continues to evade capture, the trauma from the holdup climbs, threatening Ester’s newfound delights and longings and forcing her to contend with her burning regrets and what-ifs. In the reckoning between Ester and these growing, molten upsets, she’s faced with enormous choices and must determine what and who can bring her to her best life.

I’m pleased to reveal the cover for my second novel Sing, I as designed by Morgan Krehbiel (TriQuarterly Books/Northwestern University Press, April 15, 2024). Preorders are a huge help to authors and Sing, I is currently 40% off on the publisher’s website through December 15 (Code: SNOW23). Preorders can also be placed through your local bookstore and library. If you preorder Sing, I as a gift, I’ll happily and gratefully send a card to your giftee telling them you’ve purchased the novel for them and giving them a teaser on what they can look forward to reading.

About Sing, I:

Inside Half Moon Bay, a sparkling California coastal town, Ester Prynn is dulled and diminished by struggles with work, money, marriage, her senile father, a troubled teenage son, and old guilt she can’t quiet. When a masked gunman robs the convenience store where Ester works, he upends her fraught life and propels her toward passions buried, like singing; desires discovered, like a same-sex infatuation; and wrongs righted, like bringing the violent assailant to justice. But as the armed robber commits more crimes and continues to evade capture, the trauma from the holdup climbs, threatening Ester’s newfound delights and longings and forcing her to contend with her burning regrets and what-ifs. In the reckoning between Ester and these growing, molten upsets, she’s faced with enormous choices and must determine what and who can bring her to her best life.

Advance Praise for Sing, I:

“Ethel Rohan’s Sing, I is a narrative marvel.” —Marcy Dermansky, author of Hurricane Girl

“Rohan examines the cost of living in the shadow of both a uniquely American violence and the age-old constrictions that curtail women’s lives with obligation over authenticity.” —Gina Frangello, author of Blow Your House Down

“Sing, I is a battle cry drenched in grace. It, quite simply, sings.” —Lindsay Hunter, author of Hot Springs Drive 

“Romantic, thrilling, and pitch-perfect.” —Dominic Lim, author of All the Right Notes

“We are in rock-solid hands with Rohan, a consummate stylist, storyteller and deep humanitarian.” —Sara Lippmann, author of LECH

“Rohan is one of our finest writers.” —Matthew Salesses, author of The Sense of Wonder

“Ester Prynn is honest and real and impossible not to love.” —Shanthi Sekaran, author of Lucky Boy and writer for NBC’s New Amsterdam