Otto Herschan (1927 - 2011)

The Author's Friend was saddened to hear about the death of Otto Herschan, author of the recently published autobiographical memoir Holy Smoke? He passed away peacefully on Tuesday, 12th July.

It was just after completion and shortly before the launch of this book, earlier this year, that Otto was first diagnosed with a serious illness. But in a spirit that was all too typical of him, he was never going to let this circumstance put a brake on events.

The launch of the book, at the Stephen's Green Club in Dublin was attended by hundreds of friends and well-wishers who travelled from near and far. Pictures from the launch which are reproduced here for the first time demonstrate what a happy and convivial occasion it was:

Holy Smoke? has gone on to become a runaway bestseller and in just a short time. It is the memoir of one whom The Irish Times has described as 'a man for all seasons'. The reason for this will be obvious to even the most casual reader. It is reads like the story of a man who lived more lives than one.

Although we only knew Otto for a short time it was a tremendous experience to work with him; not to mention an immense privilege to be able to bring his life story to the public domain. Our sympathies go out to his wife Marie, all of his family and friends.

Holy Smoke? is published by TAF Publishing and is available to buy from the Online Catalogue of The Author's Friend.

Otto Herschan 1927-2011 RIP

Smoking or Non-Smoking? Yours to choose with these New titles from The Author's Friend

Recent titles added to The Author's Friend ever-expanding Online Catalogue reflect the range and diversity of writing talent that exists in Ireland today; proving again what an exciting country this is for writing and publishing.

Assisted publishing with The Author's Friend is playing its part in bringing all this to the public eye. The following highlights just some such titles, listed in no particular order, except that we have tried (tenuously) to suggest a common theme or thread.

The Tobacco Fields of Meath
by Liam Nevin. 

The Tobacco Fields of Meath by Liam Nevin details the all too familiar story of individuals and families coming together to improve their lives and make a go of things in times of adversity caused by economic hardship. It is not a story about the present day however. Rather it unearths the largely forgotten case of the Randlestown experiment in the early part of the 20th century.

In telling this story Liam Nevin had unique access to the papers of his grandfather, John Nevin, who was very much to the forefront of the tobacco growing experiment in Co. Meath. The book also recounts the role of Nugent T. Everard, an uncharacteristically forward-looking landlord. One chose to live and work on his own estate in Ireland; offering leadership and innovation to those around him, where the common practice was absenteeism.

The fact that the Randlestown experiment ultimately failed is no reason for it to be forgotten. As well as revealing important information about the past it also conveys lessons that are instructive for the present day.

Holy Smoke?
by Otto Herschan

One who probably knows almost as much about tobacco - albeit in a consumer rather than a producer capacity - is Otto Herschan. He claims to have puffed his way through more than a ton of the stuff over the course of his long, eventful and interesting life.

It is this story which he relates in a shamelessly name-dropping account which is entitled, appropriately enough, Holy Smoke? The title derives from the story of St John Kemble, one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. His last request, before going to his death on the gallows, was to be allowed to finish his pipe.

Otto Herschan's life and story is fascinating for many reasons, and too long to go into here. To find out why you'll just have to read the book.

Changing Minds:
Home not Hospital
by Bowe, Devitt, Kelly

Another account of pioneering innovation in the face of adverstiy and challenge is Changing Minds: Home not Hospital by Drs Marina Bowe, Patrick Devitt and Finian Kelly. It tells the story of the Clondalkin Project, Ireland's first community-based comprehensive mental health service.

This is an insiders' account. The authors are all constultant psychiatrists who have worked in the Clondalkin Mental Health Service. They are strongly of the view that people with serious mental illnesses should be treated primarily in the community. It is a view that is now Irish government policy too through A Vision for Change, 2006.

In his Foreword to the book, John Saunders, Director of SHINE has this to say:

In any changing environment one can find examples of pioneers who have decided that the existing mode of operation is not adequate and that there needs to be fundamental change. Such local heroes of the Clondalkin service are well described in this book. Their commitment and dedication to change over many many years is a testament to their foresight.

The Life and Times of a Gotcha
by James Linnane

Another book which touches on the subject of mental health, albeit in a rather more light-hearted vein is James Linnane's The Life and Times of a Gotcha. This book probes the underbelly of the security business. A 'gotcha' was Dublin working class slang for a security guard; an occupation that James enjoyed a stint at beginning in the mid-1980s:

This book is based on actual events. How much is true and how much actually happened? You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Amid the boredom of a mind numbing job, sometimes emerged a madness and events which you really could not invent; you really just had to be there.

Charles, the Maiden and the Ogre by Sorcha Duggan is a modern day fairy tale. How much of it is true is something that can only be answered by those who believe in fairy tales and happy endings; to whom the book is dedicated.

Hidden Dreams by Christopher R. Azzie on the other hand, is a collection of poetry that reflects concerns and pre-occupations that are strongly rooted in reality - equality, human rights, world peace, nature conservation among other concerns.


All of these, along with many other titles are available to buy from the Online Catalogue of The Author's Friend.

If you have a book, or even just an idea for a book, the question of how to make your publishing dreams a reality is something that is bound to have crossed your mind, at least once or twice. If you find yourself nodding in agreement to that last statement, your next step really should be to talk to The Author's Friend, Ireland's leading provider of assisted publishing services. You can contact us

• by phone - Int+353+(0)1 8569566 or (0)87 7604547
• by e-mail - enquiries@theauthorsfriend.ie
• you can even get a quote online

The next time that you are on this website, it could be your book that we are helping to promote.