Not Without May, (A working title)
US, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand rights still available along with film rights.
Congratulations to Louise Monaghan who has just signed a deal with Mainstream Publishing for her amazing true story.
In September 2011, Louis Monaghan, an Irish mother living in Cyprus, had her child brutally snatched from her by her ex-husband, a Syrian national from whom she was divorced.
As she frantically searched for her child on the streets of Limassol she finally got the call she was dreading.
Mostafa Assad told her he had taken their six year old daughter to Syria and unless she sold everything she had and brought the money to him to live as husband and wife she would never see her child again.
In blind panic and with no one to help her, Louise made her way on the long journey from Cyprus to Turkey, eventually walking alone across the Syrian border into a war zone.
Her love for her daughter May forced her to pretend to Assad that she wanted to to live as a family in the war torn town of Idlib. This lie was to give her the time she needed and hoped she had, to plan an escape for her and May.
But days turned into weeks until an unlikely event took place. Louise and her daughter miraculously managed to flee and somehow made their way to a safe house, many hours from Idlib.
Her ordeal though was only just beginning. She knew her attempted escape put her and her little girl in immense danger. She had been told by the authorities that there was a warrant out for HER arrest for kidnap in Syria and if caught she would face a religious judge who would most likely sentence her to either death by stoning under Sharia Law or life in a Syrian jail.
But the alternatives just weren't an option either. She knew if she didn't get out herself her life was over anyway.
Miraculously for Louise and May weeks of terror, abuse and confinement eventually resulted in freedom and with a lot of help and a lot of terrifying twists along the way, the mother and daughter finally made it across a mountain range in the dead of night and into Lebanon and eventually home to the safely of their family in Dublin.
They will never know how Assad got the child into two countries with no passport or why, despite an international arrest warrant for kidnap, he was never taken into custody.
The story of her long and life threatening journey, struggling to walk at times due to a serious health condition, will shock people worldwide.
But somehow, against all odds, and Louise believes with the help and guidance of her deceased mother, they both made it home safely.
This strong-willed mum is now determined to tell her story, warts and all, in a bid to help other women and children who may find themselves in similar situations.
This amazing and heartbreaking story is now being optioned for film.
It is being compared to the hugely successful and true story Not Without My Daughter, but in Louise' case her life with her ex husband had never been happy, but filled with abuse, both physical and mental.
But the hold this man had on her was indescribeable and her final escape from his powerful grip is a miracle in itself.
Both mother and daughter are now under police guard and have had to change their identities and residence.
Congratulations to Shirley Benton...
her brilliant book, 'Looking for Leon' is out in paperback now in all good bookshops AND IN THE TOP TEN.
Shirley is available for interviews and reviews are most welcome.
This amazing book is destined for the big screen!
And she has a second on the way very soon......keep watching!
European Rights available for the fabulous story of Jedward written by Irish Sun showbiz reporter Jennifer O'Brien. You will love their tale of growing up in Dublin and becoming stars over night with the help of legendary Louis Walsh.
Witness to Evil
Veronica Mc Grath writes about the ordeal she went through for 23 years before her mother and husband were finally sentenced and imprisoned for brutally murdering her father in Co Westmeath in 1997 as she looked on helplessly. European rights (excl Ireland and UK) available. Film rights are also now available for this heartbreaking story.
European Rights Available.
Film/Documentary Rights Available.
Alfie Green Series
Joe O'Brien is one of Ireland's most loved children's authors. His series of 'Alfie'
books captivate children and have them wanting more. O'Brien Publishers have
had massive success with all of the Alfie Green books. We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to sell Film/TV rights.
will share these great characters with you. This is a project we really want to
bring to screen. Our readers (9 year olds) LOVED them.
Do or DIE
The terrifying account of Rita Harling’s ordeal at the hands of one of Ireland’s most notorious drug dealers and murderer. ''Sleeping with the Enemy' doesn't have a patch on this book. FILM RIGHTS AVAILABLE
European Book rights available!!
CRAIG THE BOY WHO LIVES BY NEVILLE SEXTON
World Book Rights available (Exl Ireland). This is an inspiring story of a little boy who loved life, was cherished by his family and still lives on in their hearts. Also film rights available.
An Agent's Guide to Getting Published - We are constantly receiving emails, phone calls looking for advice. We have now put together the information that most writers need to know as they start out on their journey to becoming published authors. This little pamphlet gives advice, information and direction for first time writers. Do let us know if what you read is beneficial.
