On the Town: The rain didn't dampen the spirits of writers and readers involved in the Open Door series, which is designed to help adults to read.
The new series of six books includes works by crime writer Julie Parsons, football legend Niall Quinn and broadcaster Gareth O'Callaghan. Marian Keyes, Rose Doyle and Michael Scott are the other established writers who feature in the new series.
"It's a great challenge to write something that is totally focused, and without getting over-descriptive," said Peter Sheridan, whose book, Old Money New Money was part of the second series of Open Door books. There are now 24 titles available from the series, which is published by New Island. Material for adults with literary problems was "practically non-existent" in the early 1990s, according to best-selling novelist Patricia Scanlan, who is the driving force and originator of the idea.
Carol Hughes from Ballyfermot who couldn't read or write until 1994, when she decided to join a class, was also at the Mansion House this week for the launch. "I can read nearly all the books in the series now," she said proudly, explaining that she is currently reading one of Patricia Scanlan's books. "I'm enjoying it," she said.
Anne Diffley, a great-grandmother from Dublin 24, who had always wanted to go back to a class, in particular to improve her spelling, started with the City of Dublin VEC last year. "They say it's never too late," she said. She is reading Maeve Binchy's newest Open Door book, The Builder.
Other writers present who have written novellas for the series, which has sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide, included Roddy Doyle, Cathy Kelly, Sheila O'Flanagan and Deirdre Purcell. "The books are fantastic. They have really brought a whole new dimension to our work," said Frances Ward, adult literary organiser with the City of Dublin VEC.
Also present at the launch was Alan Shaw, managing director of W.F. Howes, which has produced the 24 Open Door books in the Clipper audio book series.