Jamie joins the digital revolution

LOCAL author Jamie Guiney has joined the digital revolution.

The 32-year-old from Waringstown has just signed a major publishing contract which will see his short stories available on iPhone and iPad devices worldwide.

Jamie said: "So many people have iPhones and iPads nowadays. It's remarkable to think people could be sitting on trains and buses reading my stories on their commute to work anywhere in the world. Three million iPads alone have been sold in the first 80 days since its launch. It's mind-boggling."

Through e-book publisher Ether Books, Jamie's stories can be downloaded via their free app in the Apple Store directly onto mobile devices. Jamie is in the company of an impressive list of famous authors, whose stories are also available to download via Ether Books, including Booker Prize winner Hilary Mantel, Lionel Shriver, Alexander McCall Smith, Louis De Bernieres and even Sir Paul McCartney.

Jamie is rapidly making a name for himself in the short story genre with a selection of brilliantly crafted works such as 'A Quarter Yellow Sun' recently published in 'The Battered Suitcase' - a US literary journal. In addition, Jamie, through Belfast-based literary agent Bill Jeffrey has submitted his satirical novel 'A Man in Grey Shoes' to a selection of major publishers.

In the past 18 months, Jamie has attended the Faber & Faber Writing Academy and worked very closely with The Northern Ireland Arts Council.

Jamie said: "The Faber & Faber Writing Academy and support from the NI Arts Council has had a significant impact on my creative thinking and writing, helping me mature as a writer.

"As well as currently working on my second novel I have just completed my first play and am exploring writing for the screen. I would encourage anyone in the creative arts to talk to their Arts Council because they are enormously supportive."

Jamie explained how he first caught the writing bug: "I read 'Catch 22' by Joseph Heller - it was the only book I've ever read that made me laugh out loud," he said. "When I finished it I was amazed that a block of paper could generate so much emotion. It made me think I could do this - I could write a book."

As well as Joseph Heller, Jamie lists his literary influences as Harper Lee, Jonathan Swift and JD Salinger.

The Waringstown man continued: "I've been writing for five years, seriously for the past two years. It started as a hobby, but I now have the confidence to say "I'm a writer"."

Jamie, who celebrates his first wedding anniversary with Katie this September was born in Lurgan, but has lived most of his life in Waringstown. He studied computing at Jordanstown and works in IT in Belfast. He said: "I've always enjoyed working in computers, but I'd love to be a full-time writer. For me, writing is about stirring people's thoughts and allowing them to temporarily explore a world outside their own."

To read Jamie's stories on your iPhone or iPad download the free Ether Books app from the Apple Store or follow the link on his website www.jamieguiney.com