What’s with the sky’s strange color? And the smoky air? They were the questions guests were asking once safely inside the welcoming doors of the new Irish Arts Center on 11th Avenue, at West 51st Street, on Tuesday, June 6. Everyone, though, was soon turned to the agenda at hand. Brendan Costello Jr., vice president of the Irish American Writers & Artists, had planned an event around readings by recently published authors.
And all proved to be stars at the mic. Some were veterans at IAW&A events, like Mary Pat Kelly and Joseph Goodrich.
Anthony C. Murphy wasn’t so well known, but he quickly established that he’s probably engaging and very funny on the page. One story had the central character taking his father back to Ireland, in a way; while in the other the hero acted as a driver for his musician son and the son’s bandmates in eastern Europe.
“My latest is a slim chapbook collection called ‘And Other Days of Nothing Much,’ which I put together after a few readings with Ed McCann's Writer's Read series at City Winery,” Murphy told the Echo.
Leslie Day, the author of “Field Guide to the Natural World of New York City,” said of the volume, “At times rollicking, laugh-out-loud funny, sweet, moving, gentle and bold. I loved every word and could hear Murphy’s voice. His writing is true to his past, and to his present. Lucky readers have a treasure here.”
Anthony Charles Murphy
Date of birth: November 1970
Place of birth: Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, England. I was only there for a week, apparently. I grew up in Rochdale, Lancashire.
Spouse & Children: I have two sons that live and work in the UK, Joe, 32, and Sean, 29. Now I have a daughter, Ava, 10, with my wife, Valerie, in Yonkers. I've been here for about 12 years. We have two dogs, too. Maisie and Lefty. Mutts, the pair of them. The dogs, I mean.
Published works: I have been writing for years and had poems and stories published here and there in the UK and U.S., also some articles in magazines. But it was mainly the open mic/spoken word scene that got me going. I worked and performed in Brighton, UK, and then in the East Village, New York City. There were some like-minded people around but we were all grassroots. About 2019. I decided to write something longer, my novel “Shiftless.” [See his website here.]
What is your writing routine? Are there ideal conditions?
I usually write at night. I'm on duty during the day as the taxi and chief cook and bottle washer. Most of the day's ideas have trickled down by then so that suits me.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
My only advice is to set yourself a goal and aim at the target, it doesn't matter if you bulge the onion bag. It is good to score, though.
Name three books that are memorable in terms of your reading pleasure.
Tove Jansson, “Summer Book” (The book I have gifted more than any other); Italo Calvino, “If On A Winter's Night A Traveler”; (Second most gifted): Dashiell Hammet, “The Thin Man” (I love the movie more, though).
What book are you currently reading?
“52 Ways To Walk” by Annabel Streets (Good for the soul and the sole). But I've nearly finished so I have some Cormac McCarthy ready. RIP.
Is there a book you wish you had written?
It's not a book but a play. “Waiting For Godot.” What a play, on words too. Beckett does my head in in a good way.
Name a book that you were pleasantly surprised by.
Is that a guilty pleasure question? I used to race through Agatha Christie novels.
If you could meet one author, living or dead, who would it be?
Spike Milligan, on a good day. "I told you I was ill” [his proposed epitaph] still cracks me up.
What book changed your life?
“The Outsider” by Albert Camus. I was a teenager, though. Don't judge. It really got me thinking.
What is your favorite spot in Ireland?
I've only been around the edges really. South and West. My dad was from Bandon, Cork. So I went there a few times. My grandad, Dennis Murphy, was 50 when he had my dad, so he was old when I met him.
I had a good time in Boolteens, Kerry, though. Not sure if I'm allowed to say that? My friend's uncle's farm. Christy O'Connor. They had two dogs, both called Joe. Beautiful spot near Castlemaine.
Also, I fell out of the top bunk in a hostel in Doolin. Maybe everyone does. Where is that anyway?
Oh, Portmagee was good for seafood.
You're Irish if...
You miss the old sod.
