Hi and thank you for your visit. I’m a retired accountant, now freelance writer, living and working in Jersey, Channel Islands. I made a break for the border some years back. Two years in Ireland didn’t end well so I unexpectedly found myself ‘back on the rock’. There are worse places to have to live!
During a rather bleak few months after arriving back I set myself a couple of targets. One of those was to complete Barry, the first chapter of which had sat around for a year or two. This was a giveaway but I was very proud to have completed and self-published my first book.
Whilst writing Barry I had an idea for a Jersey historical novel and the result was A Jersey Midsummer Tale. Part 1 is set in 1935 Jersey, with all the research that entailed, and Part 2 is a modern day mirror, with threads and parallels running backwards and forwards between the generations, with a smidgin of fantasy thrown in. (Spoiler – it isn’t my best book.)
I then wrote and released Tess of Portelet Manor which is the sequel to Part 1 of Midsummer and which follows the main character from 1935 to 1954, therefore set largely during the German Occupation of the Channel Islands.
Then something new, A West Cork Mystery, which mixes a contemporary tale with aspects of Celtic myth and legend. I had a ball with this one.
And a follow up to Barry, imaginatively named Barry2.
Over a number of years I have accumulated a few short stories. These I have now incorporated into a collection entitled Aspirations of a Sheep.
And then a second Irish mystery, A Contract of Honour.
My latest has been a number of years in the making. On the subject of human trafficking, and specifically child sex slaves, it has been difficult get the balance right. I wanted to convey the abject misery of the victims whilst keeping it readable and even entertaining. For better or worse, Supply and Demand was published in November 2018.
All books are now available on at Amazon UK, Amazon.com (or indeed your national Amazon page).
When I’m not working or writing you’ll probably find me running, coaching track & field or watching some sport or other.
Thank you for stopping by.
Roy McCarthy
Back On The Rock 
Hello Roy,
Thank you for sharing this ‘about’ with us. I personally can’t wait for Tess of Portelet Manor to be out, having read and thoroughly enjoyed Midsummer. As well as with Barry, you have a way of creating very unexpected moments that leave us thinking…
May you make us ‘travel’ for a long time still!
Alex
LikeLike
Ah, thank you for that kind and (as a long-time friend) very unbiased endorsement Alex. I hereby appoint you my Haute-Savoie agent 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for the follow Roy … looking forward to reading your blog.
LikeLike
Hi Gail, I only follow the best and I’m also looking forward to your updates and – one day – your novel!
LikeLike
You’re very generous Roy. Hope I live up to your expectation of “best”. And definitely the one day novel.
LikeLike
Hey Roy! I’m intrigued by whatever happened in Ireland- is there more about that saga on the blog?? Have to look around….
Thanks so much for the follow! All the best…
LikeLike
Hi runoffwriter! Good to hear from you and I’m enjoying what you’re doing with your blog. I had a great couple of years in Ireland but it came tumbling down financially. My old blog is still accessible if you’re interested royinireland.blogspot.com Best wishes, Roy
LikeLike
I believe I will check that out…thank you…and glad you’re enjoying my “work!”
LikeLike
Hi Roy. Thanks for visiting and following my blog. I’m afraid I had to use Google Maps to figure out where the Channel Islands are located, and then zoom way out to determine where they are in relation to some geography I did know. It sounds like a lovely place, and the history of it’s occupation during WWII sounds like an interesting topic for a novel.
LikeLike
Hello Janna, lovely to hear from you. Yes, the CIs are beautiful. I arrived in Jersey in 1977 intending to stay for a year or two but….
I’m enjoying your writing and looking forward to seeing your book in due course. Medieval is a bit too far back for me to fancy researching 🙂 Where is your novel set, presumably not Vancouver?
LikeLike
Nice to meet you, Roy. 🙂
No, I’m definitely not writing about Vancouver. I imagine Vancouver was covered with thousand-year-old, giant Douglas Fir trees in the 13th century. My novel is set in England. I’ve been interested in medieval England since I was a kid, and am finally able to share all that I’ve learned about that time period through my story.
Next time I visit across the Pond, I’ll have to add a trip to the Channel Islands to my itinerary.
LikeLike
Thanks for following our blog! We’re following back:) We look forward to reading your posts:)
LikeLike
Thanks Tina. Hope to be putting up some running related posts soon.
LikeLike
I am nominating you for the Liebster Blog Award. If you are not keen on participating, that’s fine, because I know that not everyone is keen on these awards. However, I wanted to show my appreciation for your blog and share you with others.
LikeLike
That’s really kind of you EBL, thank you. But, as I think you’ve guessed, I’m not a fan. Good luck to those that like these awards though and I guess it’s better than being nominated for the Crap Blog Award 🙂
LikeLike
I’ve been dithering all week, but in the end decided I would. Probably never again! 🙂
LikeLike
Oh wow, that`s interesting. I`m just after reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. I use the kindle ap on my phone. As you know, it was set in Jersey`s sister island during WW2. A really interesting read. I`ll look out for your book on kindle too.
LikeLike
Yes that book’s gone mega. Never read it but fair play to the author with a film deal and all. The stories of Guernsey and Jersey during the Occupation were similar in many ways. I’d be very happy if you were to compare mine with that one, thank you!
LikeLike
Didn`t know GLPPS is going to be a movie. Oh, good! Looking forward to seeing yours. Those historical novels take a lot of research.
LikeLike
I must say I have to grit my teeth when I see rows of that title up on the shelves of WH Smith in Jersey when mine don’t appear at all 🙂 Though, like most writers, to me the writing bit is the most enjoyable.
LikeLike
Best wishes. Sounds like lots of good stuff in the works. Thanks for the follow. I look forward to following your blog too.
LikeLike
Thanks Naomi, appreciated.
LikeLike
Hi Roy. Julie Israel recommended your blog so here I am. Man, we have a few things in common! I’ve also worked in Finance—although I didn’t even make Manager when I left. I also like running; it seems to clear my mind and get rid of lethargy completely. I admire that you’ve written a historical novel! It seems difficult to do. Looking forward to following your blog. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Sky! Yes Julie’s great isn’t she, so hard working at her writing unlike me 😦 Still, a full day available tomorrow as it’s Liberation Day here in Jersey. Well I’ll wander over to your blog in a while seeing as we’re both champion runners and hot-shot Finance people. Thanks for the nice comments.
LikeLike
I don’t know if you do blog awards, but I’ve nominated you for the Liebster Award anyway. Please don’t feel obliged to respond; it’s just my way of letting you know that I appreciate your blog. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Daniel, very much appreciated, thank you. I don’t really ‘get’ blog awards but I am always flattered if I get a nice mention.
LikeLike
Hi Roy. I’ve nominated you for The Super Sweet Blogging Award. If you choose to accept, please go here: http://robbyrobinsjourney.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/the-super-sweet-blogging-award/
LikeLike
Ah thanks Jane, that’s really appreciated. I’m pleased you bracket me with such high quality blogs. However I’m a miserable old goat and just don’t ‘get’ these awards, so I hope you won’t be too offended if I don’t participate 🙂
LikeLike
Not in the slightest. I’m partial to miserable old goats!
LikeLike
Never know the Germans captured Jersey; will read up on that part of history today!
LikeLike
Hello and tank you for the follow I am very grateful. It always surprises me when I get a follow. I shall look forward to reading your blog. Be well and happy!
LikeLike
Hi there Roy,
Thank you for taking the time to stop by my little corner of the blogosphere and for the follow. Your support is greatly appreciated, I noticed you also did a piece for Jean’s Festival of bridges! Well done
Have a great day 🙂
Eddie
LikeLike
Looking forward to scooting around your site Eddie. I’m afraid my own pics are inept (to put it kindly) by comparison.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dont knock em Rob, We are always our own worst critics. I always feel the same when I come across another photographer whose work I like 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog 🙂 I’ll read yours with interest, we used to live on Jersey.
LikeLike
Hey Cathy, good to meet you! I do a little book reviewing myself though not often on the blog. Look forward to following you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your header picture, Roy. That’s where I used to live!
LikeLike
On the pier? Lucky you! That’s a shot by local photographer Darren Kelland.
LikeLike
Not quite on the pier, just round the corner across the road from the top of the gardens.
LikeLike
Thank you for visiting my site and I look forward to browsing through yours when I return from some travels. I would like to pick your brain about self publishing, if you wouldn’t mind? Jersey history fascinates and would love to visit.
LikeLike
Hey Kerry, great to hear from you and look forward to chatting with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to meet you Roy. I visited Ireland years back in search of a man, though not for me. It’s an inspiring country. Sorry it didn’t end well for you, though. 😦
eden
LikeLike
Hi Eden and thank you. I enjoyed Stranger at Sunset!
LikeLike
I had to do a google map to see where exactly you live. When I saw Jersey I’m thinking New Jersey but I knew that wasn’t right. The land you live on looks beautiful. Hopefully you are having a much better experience than Ireland.
LikeLike
Hi Bryan. Bad timing was all, as regards Ireland. I don’t regret it and I’d do it again given the same circumstances. I love Ireland and my heart’s still there.
You wouldn’t be the first to mistake New Jersey for its original namesake 🙂 It’s a great place.
Thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
Very nice to meet you Roy.What an incredible journey you have done so far……..you give me hope😉I put the word end to my manuscript last week now let’s wait and see😀greeting from Ireland
LikeLike
Hello Ortensia, and likewise. Indeed I read that you’re in the final stages of your book. What genre? What part of Ireland?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the interest.its a mistery set in a little village on the north side of Dublin.let’s hope for the best🤞🏻
LikeLike
Look forward to reading 🙂
LikeLike
Tried to become a follower, but for some reason, my email address was rejected as invalid (which it isn’t, because I only have one email address, and this has happened before). In any case, I enjoy your writing and will try to remember to check back occasionally, but my memory isn’t what it used to was, so….
LikeLike
Oh, I wonder why. Anyway, thanks for reading 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for your article about Oscar Wilde and Lily Langtry. I’m intrigued by the painting. Do you know who painted it?
LikeLike
Hello Elizabeth and thank you. I’ve had another look and find that the artist was, in fact, William Powell Frith (1819 – 1909). The painting was reported to be on sale for £10m in 2019.
Interestingly, Frith’s Wikipedia page has Wilde as the chap in the top hat next to the lady in pink and in front of the boy in green. Who knows? Thank you for your visit and allowing me to attribute the work.
LikeLike