A major book launch in Palma pulled Laura McVeigh into the front and centre of the Mallorca literary world where I was fortunate enough to talk to her.
Laura had a huge life before putting down roots in Mallorca. From a wonderful Northern Ireland childhood in Rostrevor on the Carlingford Loch, the wider world was her focus. A time spent learning languages (amongst them Irish, French, Spanish, Italian and Catalan) she travelled extensively in a variety of journalistic and charity roles. University life in Cambridge happened and then London with her own media start up business. Politics introduced her to her husband, motherhood, and her own family life.
Laura was born in Northern Ireland and is now living on ‘small Island’ Mallorca. She has travelled the world and has a home in London. Major City living has wonderful attractions and it is exciting to move things forward in charity terms from London. Nevertheless, her heart and family life remain stubbornly in Mallorca.
Prior to writing her debut novel Under the Almond Tree, Laura was Executive Director of PEN International, the worldwide writers’ association campaigning on freedom of expression issues. She is also a Director of the Global Girls Fund which supports girls’ empowerment, equality and access to learning and education worldwide.
Her first book, Under the Almond Tree was launched to critical acclaim and became an international best seller. It has been translated into 10 languages worldwide and the launch of her second book ‘Lenny’ has been widely anticipated.
Since 2015 Laura has lived in Mallorca and works from her home in the mountains. Her day starts with the school run and normal life chores. Her other world is as a visionary, creating stories, working on film scripts, and being part of the charitable world to do with girls’ education which she is so passionately involved with.
Life in Mallorca continues to inspire Laura and there are many more publications to come. Whether this is in a film version, or more printed words remains to be seen…
