Niall Williams on Booker longlist with History of the Rain

History of the Rain by Niall Williams has been chosen as one of the 13 titles on the 2014 Man Booker Prize longlist. The prize is one of the world's most important literary awards and has the power to transform the fortunes of authors and publishers. Born in Dublin, Niall Williams has lived in Kiltumper, County Clare, for the past 30 years. He is the author of eight novels, three stage plays, four non-fiction works and several screenplays. History of the Rain tells the story of the bedridden daughter of a dead poet trying to find her father through stories - and through generations of family history in County Clare. Williams and his wife, author Christine Breen, are holding a creative writing workshop in Kiltumper on the October bank holiday weekend. For further details see http://www.niallwilliams.com/writingworkshops.aspx

The shortlist for the 2014 Man Booker Prize will be announced on Tuesday, September 9 with the winner of the £50,000 prize announced on Tuesday October 14. For the full longlist see: http://www.themanbookerprize.com/man-booker-prize-2014