Mark Kielty

Just watched a review of Tiny Bookshop after seeing this post. Looks like a great way to wind down.

A promotional image for the book, Steel-Plate Subversive, based on the front cover. The background is the surface of the sea at night, the view is from above, looking down at the deck of a small, steel-grey submarine, cutting diagonally across the lower half of the frame. The hatch in the low-profile turret is open. A bearded white man in a green woollen jumper and brown flat cap is standing waist-deep in the open hatch, holding up a Thompson submachine gun. He’s lit from below by the red light inside the submarine. The title is in orange below the hatch, and my name is in white below that. In the top half, against the dark water, the text reads: ‘John Philip Holland's designs established the submarine fleets of five nations. But his first submarines were built for the Irish republican movement.'

What's the connection between the Irish republican movement in the United States in the late 19th century, and the Royal Navy, the US, the Dutch, Russian and Japanese navies?

And why is it an Irish schoolteacher?

If you think that's nuts, so did I, so I wrote a novel inspired by that fact.

Dublin student makes full Iron Man superhero suit: 'I was bored' Ellie Farrell, 19, has crafted Tony Stark’s legendary armour herself

Ireland's newest #superhero!

#MCU #Ironman #IronHeart #MarvelComics #Marvel #Superheroes #spéirgorm #comics #Cosplay #Cosplayers

Thanks Susan

In this interview, I talk about children’s books, writing and illustration as trades, and offer advice to people still developing skills, including the importance of finding the joy in your work, especially when things get tough. @litkidsmagazine.bsky.social.

#SpeirGorm #Writing #Art #Illustration

Just compiling a list of potential publishers and agents for now. Have a newborn to help look after for the immediate future. 🙂

I have completed this and will hopefully put it on submission this year.

I'm also looking into publishing another book I've written.

When I get the chance, I will do a whole blog post of what I've been up to all last year.

#AmWriting #IrishMythology #IrishFolklore #spéirgorm #YAFantasy #WIP

👀 👀 👀

#BookSky #SpéirGhorm #SpeirGorm #Octobooks

Our early bird memberships for Octocon 2026 are selling fast! (Weekend Attending & Concession only.)
Get yours asap to make sure you can join in all this year's activities.
octocon.com/join-us
#Octocon #SciFi #Fandom #Fantasy #conventions #Ireland #SpéirGhorm #SpeirGorm

This is one of my favourite books. You can check out my review for The Call here:

markkieltywriter.com/2024/12/09/f...

#IrishBookBlogger #Octobooks #Octocon #YA #YAFantasy #BookSky

Great news for a member of our Octocon team, the very fantastic @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social! It's a lovely book and we wish it very well.

You can check out my review of Scarlet Morning by @gingerhaze.bsky.social over on the @childrensbooksireland.ie website. Hugely imaginative with a creative blend of illustration and text.

childrensbooksireland.ie/our-recommen...

#YAFantasy #MGFantasy #Adventure #Pirates #BookSky #SpéirGhorm

I'm still very much in recovery after MegaCon (it's a fun show!)

A wee financial breakdown for those interested in doing this sort of thing, especially if your main focus is comics and books.

Table cost: €123. That's normal for a con of this size in Ireland.

Travel: €6. I got lifts and live local

And if that URL doesn't work (we have hiccups sometimes), you can go straight to registration.octocon.com
Come join us in Cork and Online for 2026!

You can also reach our registration page directly at registration.octocon.com - note that this year you'll need to register your email address before you can buy a membership.

Poster states: Octocon 2026. Saturday 3rd October – Sunday 4th October. Clayton Hotel Cork City and Online. Registration is now Open! €10 off limited Early Bird memberships. octocon.com. Poster includes the Octocon logo and our mascot, Octo the Octopus with a programme book and a badge.

Registration for Octocon 2026 is now open! Clayton Hotel, Cork City & Online on 3rd-4th of October with GOHs @cemurphy.bsky.social y.bsky.social & @aptshadow.bsky.social.

€10 off limited Early Bird memberships:
octocon.com/join-us/

#Octocon #Fantasy #SciFi #Fandom #CorkCity

Apparently I post too much about my books and not me…so my knee hurts and is strapped up, my shoulder is in a support after I fell off my bike and I’m on a diet that consists of staring at the whisky bottle longingly while sipping water. See. My books are more interesting! (I hope😁). #indieauthor

Good morning from (the last day) in Finland!

It's my birthday in a couple of weeks, so have a free book! Yes, In Solitude's Shadow is yours :)

The rest of the series is on sale too.

Shares welcome and appreciated!

mybook.to/insolitudess...

Thanks, David. Really enjoyed this one.

Book Review: Magic, Maps, and Mischief by David Green. Book revew and babies. Find out how they’re related by reading my review of Magic, Maps, and Mischief by David Green.

#BookReview and #Babies!

Find out how they're related by checking out what I thought of Magic, Maps and Mischief by @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social

markkieltywriter.com/2026/01/01/b...

#IrishBookBlogger #Octobooks #Octocon #Fantasy #CosyFantasy #CozyFantasy #BookSky #SpéirGhorm #speirghorm

Gameboy Advanced with attached magnifying screen and the intro screen yo Pokemon Blue.

My sister found and brought over my old copy of #PokémonBlue from when I was a kid, and it still works. Full Pokédex of 151 #Pokémon still saved. Peak #Nostalgia.

I remember having to go to a shopping centre to an event to get #Mew

#GameBoy #GameBoyAdvance #RetroGaming #GameBoyColor #Gaming

Octocon 2025 Cosplay Showcase Gallery - Octocon Cosplay showcase gallery with our in-person guests Fenek and Przysto * Please note that alt text / captions are not available for this gallery. Photos by

Check out our cosplay gallery of #Octocon2025 where you can see how awesome and creative our members can be!

https://octocon.com/octocon-2025-cosplay-showcase-gallery/

#Octocon #cosplayers #fandom #scifi #fantasy #anime #gaming #KPop

Hi all! If you attended #Octocon2025 and have subscribed to our newsletter, you'll know we are looking for feedback on our event.

Be sure to follow the link in our newsletter and make sure your voice is heard.

#octocon #SciFi #fantasy #fandom #readingcommunity #scificonvention #cosplay

Poster stating: Happy Halloween from all at Octocon, Image includes pumpkins and our mascot, Octo the Octopus

Happy #Halloween to all our members and friends. Hope you have a #spooky and safe night and weekend!

#Octcocon #MonsterMash #Samhain #ReadingCommunity

Book Review: Big Bad Me by Aislinn O’Loughlin Banner stating: Book Review – Big Bad Me by Aislinn O’Loughlin Happy Halloween everyone! I was thinking of what books I would recommend around this time of year and remembered a review …

Happy Halloween Everyone! I was thinking about what books I would recommend around this time of year and remembered a review I did back in 2023 - Big Bad Me by @ashilockiewrites.bsky.social

I reposted to my blog here: markkieltywriter.com/2025/10/31/b...

#YAFantasy #Supernatural #IrishBookBlogger

We've sold out of Magic, Maps, and Mischief at The Syndicate table at @worldfantasy2025.bsky.social but I'm told we can still sell them and ship them to you!

Plus, loads of other amazing books at the table.

Thanks to everyone who made Maps a sell out!! 🦉

I'm sure you're all getting bored of the Magic, Maps, and Mischief promo, but with no publisher behind me, I have to do what I can!

The early reviews have been lovely to see... especially given this book's rough road to publication.

mybook.to/magicmapsand...

laundry hanging on a clothes line with a person standing in the background ALT: laundry hanging on a clothes line with a person standing in the background

I would do a "where I'm going to be at Bristolcon/World Fantasy Convention" but who cares?

I'll be around...

Announcing - Octocon 2026 - Octocon 2025 Octocon is delighted to announce our 2026 venue and guests of honour! Clayton Hotel Cork City and Online Saturday 3rd October - Sunday 4th October, 2026

Just wrapped up the almost-last meeting of the @octocon.bsky.social 2025 committee - we still have an AGM to go, but we're onto plans for 2026 now. Cork here we come! (Members, look for a link to our 2025 feedback survey coming to a newsletter near you very soon.)
2025.octocon.com/announcing-o...

Book Review: Archibald Lox – The Missing Princess by Darren Shan Archibald Lox is one of those gems that deserves much more attention than it gets. I love finding these books, ones which fly under the radar but when you give them a chance, you count your lucky s…

There was a fabulous review for the first Archibald Lox volume recently, by MARK KIELTY.

"...one of those gems that deserves much more attention than it gets."

You can read the full review here: markkieltywriter.com/2025/09/30/b...

@kieltface.bsky.social @octocon.bsky.social