This week, it is my pleasure to interview Eoin McLoughlin. Please introduce yourself to my readers and share something about your life.
I’m Eoin McLoughlin, an animator, illustrator and writer. I worked in the animation industry, and I’m currently working at the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny, hosting shows about dinosaurs and fossils at Jurassic Newpark. I have a passion for military history, animation, travel, and adventure.
I’m getting started in writing books and getting them out there. My first Book is “Max and Holly go on Holiday.” An adventure comedy story of two clowns going on a sailing holiday and ending up in a strange adventure. I do hope to write more stories and one day turn the ideas into an animated series.
When did you write your first book, and how did it come about?
I wrote my first book in 2025 called “Max and Holly go on Holiday”. Max and Holly is a series I’m working on about two clowns who go on strange adventures. I spent ages working out the art direction and getting my idea out there. One day, after visiting the Asgard Exhibition in Collins Barracks, Dublin, I had an idea to make a picture book. The story is a tribute to the classic spy novel “The Riddles of the Sands” by Erskine Childers. Only, instead of the heroes being two British yachters, it's two clowns with cartoony abilities.
I played with the idea of the story, looking like it was going to be a lovely sailing holiday, only for the clown's boat to get wrecked, end up marooned on an island with a secret military base, with an invasion plan. It was an idea that I found exciting, and it motivated me to write the story and draw the illustrations.
Do you always write in the same genre, or do you mix it up?
Action-adventure is a genre that is my personal favourite, and even if I were to write in some other genre, I’d still like action-adventure to be the main one, with other genres at the side. This often works very well with films and stories I really enjoy, such as The Mummy (1999) for Horror and The Prisoner of Zenda (1937) for Romance.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
When I have an idea for a story, I write it down and plan it out, from the plot to the ideas I want to explore. It's a case of setting up a structure, and once it's set, work out natural ways to connect them so the story flows. Once I’m familiar with the story and happy with the structure, I can really get into it.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from your book?
“As the two were warming themselves up, Holly began to think. “Something smells fishy.” It wasn’t the tuna sandwich Max ate; It was something else. “That ship crashed into us on purpose, but why?”“Max replied, “Do you think the toads have a hidden treasure on the island and don’t want anyone else to find it?” Max may have a wild imagination, but exploring the island was the only way to find out.”
Who is your favourite character and why?
It would have to be Max the Clown. I first created Max in 2018 for my animation assignment, where I directed the short film “The Balloonatic”.
youtube.com/watch?v=xc_rInNbDZw&feature=youtu.be
Max is a clown who can make anything from balloons, and I do mean anything, from live animals to usable tools. He’s a playful, happy-go-lucky, quick-witted clown who's willing to jump at any chance to help someone in need. Despite his creativity, he can be somewhat airheaded and naïve in the real world, a tendency that often leads him into trouble.
When I first made him, there was something about him that felt special to me, as if he were a character I could create only by drawing on my interests and experiences. His ability seemed suitable for silly antics, but with some creativity, it can prove to be very useful.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
It would be “Max and Holly go on Holiday”, given that it’s the first and so far only book I’ve actually made and got out there. The next book I’ve been working on has been a challenge because it's a more “out of comfort zone” type of story.
What is the best marketing tip you have received?
Get in contact with other writers, make connections and attend events to help promote the book. That’s all the advice I seem to have since I’m getting myself started in making books and getting them out there. Hopefully, in a few years, I will have learned better marketing advice.
How would you describe yourself?
I would describe myself as a creative, well-mannered person who enjoys wearing fancy military uniforms and discussing interesting historical facts. I try to enjoy myself as much as I can while being respectful of others.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
I like to watch films, draw, go for walks, and visit museums. When visiting museums, you can come across interesting stories that you never heard of before.
I mainly like to experience or feel like I’m on my own adventure, so I can use that feeling and influence to guide me on my next story.
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
There are several places that come to mind
1) Prague: because of its incredible architecture and places I would love to see, like Prague Castle and the Karel Zeman Museum. Prague Castle is one of the largest castles in the world, with remarkable architecture. The Karel Zeman Museum is dedicated to one of the most incredible filmmakers, whose work deserves to be talked about. If you watch the trailer for his film Invention for Destruction (1958), you'll see art direction that still looks incredible. Much better than most modern films today.
2) Schloss Hohenwerfen, Austria: This was the castle that was used in one of my favourite films of all time, “Where Eagles Dare”. Just going to the very spots used in the film would make me giddy.
3) Rhodes: The Mediterranean Island that was used to film scenes in another brilliant war adventure film, “The Guns of Navarone”. Whether it be the medieval city or the Acropolis of Lindos.
If you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?
Many years ago, I had a Shih Tzu named Max who loved food. During the summer, my dad cooked a barbecue. Max was looking for food, and we gave him a spare burger. It was a big burger, and he spent some time eating it. When he finished it, he still wanted more. It was one of those memories that we still remember about him.
Max was a wonderful dog who still holds a place in my family's heart. I used his name for my first character, and I also had another dog named Holly, whose name I later used for my secondary character.
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
Books with pictures and illustrations are a huge plus for me because I find them easier to engage with and use to get a visual sense of the world. I know that some people suggest using your imagination when reading the text of the story, but I find that when you have too many choices in your mind, it becomes hard to visualise.
I also like to try and go for a story that has a clear premise and isn’t too complicated, because if I’m going to read a story, I want it to be relaxing rather than feel like doing homework.
Do you have your own website?
I do: https://eoinmcloughlin.weebly.com/
It contains my animations, projects and social media links.
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
I am, while Max and Holly are aimed at ages 8-12, my next book is aimed at a younger audience. It's called “The Princess and the Dinosaur”. The premise is about a young princess who wants a pony, but gets a dinosaur instead.
At Jurassic Newpark, we had a dinosaur you could ride on like a horse, and it was popular with the kids. Some children who would tend to ride the dinosaur were young girls dressed as princesses. When operating the ride, I would often joke about the idea that a princess riding a dinosaur instead of a horse would make an interesting story. After I wrote my first book, the floodgates opened to the idea of making the princess and the dinosaur real. No one has written a story like that, so I might as well get it made.
Writing the story was a challenge, given that it was different to what I normally like to write. But I feel I finally cracked it. The story would show some of the challenges of having a dinosaur, but the princess is willing to make the most of what she has, and in the end, everyone would learn to accept it as well. I think learning to appreciate what you have and to adjust is an important lesson for children. Plus, the dinosaur would cause all sorts of mischief that children would find amusing.
I wrote the story and drew the storyboards, and my girlfriend Claudia Umpton is drawing the illustrations. She has a unique watercolour style that I believe would be well-suited to a younger audience.
At the moment, I’m waiting for Claudia to finish the illustrations so we can get the book out there. I am to have it finished by the end of the last week of February.
I also have plans for another Max and Holly book, which is the story of how the two met, called “A Thief Named Holly”. The story is that Max is a homeless performer and Holly is a thief working for the tyrannical crime boss Mama Fluffy. When Holly meets Max, she hires him to break into a vault to steal Fluffy’s jewel collection, but Max thinks he’s being hired to entertain. I already wrote the story as a screenplay for practice, but I’m going to rewrite it in book format and draw the illustrations. I plan to get started after I finish the dinosaur book.
Do you have any upcoming events or book promotions you would like to share?
I have no solid plans yet, but when “The Princess and the Dinosaur” is finished, I plan to have the Newpark Hotel promote and sell the book in Jurassic Newpark. Jurassic Newpark is a popular venue for families, and I bet kids would love to get a book about dinosaurs, especially if it's a funny story. No solid foundation has been set in stone, but if the park plans a big event, I’ll make sure you get an invitation.
I’m Eoin McLoughlin, an animator, illustrator and writer. I worked in the animation industry, and I’m currently working at the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny, hosting shows about dinosaurs and fossils at Jurassic Newpark. I have a passion for military history, animation, travel, and adventure.
I’m getting started in writing books and getting them out there. My first Book is “Max and Holly go on Holiday.” An adventure comedy story of two clowns going on a sailing holiday and ending up in a strange adventure. I do hope to write more stories and one day turn the ideas into an animated series.
When did you write your first book, and how did it come about?
I wrote my first book in 2025 called “Max and Holly go on Holiday”. Max and Holly is a series I’m working on about two clowns who go on strange adventures. I spent ages working out the art direction and getting my idea out there. One day, after visiting the Asgard Exhibition in Collins Barracks, Dublin, I had an idea to make a picture book. The story is a tribute to the classic spy novel “The Riddles of the Sands” by Erskine Childers. Only, instead of the heroes being two British yachters, it's two clowns with cartoony abilities.
I played with the idea of the story, looking like it was going to be a lovely sailing holiday, only for the clown's boat to get wrecked, end up marooned on an island with a secret military base, with an invasion plan. It was an idea that I found exciting, and it motivated me to write the story and draw the illustrations.
Do you always write in the same genre, or do you mix it up?
Action-adventure is a genre that is my personal favourite, and even if I were to write in some other genre, I’d still like action-adventure to be the main one, with other genres at the side. This often works very well with films and stories I really enjoy, such as The Mummy (1999) for Horror and The Prisoner of Zenda (1937) for Romance.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
When I have an idea for a story, I write it down and plan it out, from the plot to the ideas I want to explore. It's a case of setting up a structure, and once it's set, work out natural ways to connect them so the story flows. Once I’m familiar with the story and happy with the structure, I can really get into it.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from your book?
“As the two were warming themselves up, Holly began to think. “Something smells fishy.” It wasn’t the tuna sandwich Max ate; It was something else. “That ship crashed into us on purpose, but why?”“Max replied, “Do you think the toads have a hidden treasure on the island and don’t want anyone else to find it?” Max may have a wild imagination, but exploring the island was the only way to find out.”
Who is your favourite character and why?
It would have to be Max the Clown. I first created Max in 2018 for my animation assignment, where I directed the short film “The Balloonatic”.
youtube.com/watch?v=xc_rInNbDZw&feature=youtu.be
Max is a clown who can make anything from balloons, and I do mean anything, from live animals to usable tools. He’s a playful, happy-go-lucky, quick-witted clown who's willing to jump at any chance to help someone in need. Despite his creativity, he can be somewhat airheaded and naïve in the real world, a tendency that often leads him into trouble.
When I first made him, there was something about him that felt special to me, as if he were a character I could create only by drawing on my interests and experiences. His ability seemed suitable for silly antics, but with some creativity, it can prove to be very useful.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
It would be “Max and Holly go on Holiday”, given that it’s the first and so far only book I’ve actually made and got out there. The next book I’ve been working on has been a challenge because it's a more “out of comfort zone” type of story.
What is the best marketing tip you have received?
Get in contact with other writers, make connections and attend events to help promote the book. That’s all the advice I seem to have since I’m getting myself started in making books and getting them out there. Hopefully, in a few years, I will have learned better marketing advice.
How would you describe yourself?
I would describe myself as a creative, well-mannered person who enjoys wearing fancy military uniforms and discussing interesting historical facts. I try to enjoy myself as much as I can while being respectful of others.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
I like to watch films, draw, go for walks, and visit museums. When visiting museums, you can come across interesting stories that you never heard of before.
I mainly like to experience or feel like I’m on my own adventure, so I can use that feeling and influence to guide me on my next story.
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
There are several places that come to mind
1) Prague: because of its incredible architecture and places I would love to see, like Prague Castle and the Karel Zeman Museum. Prague Castle is one of the largest castles in the world, with remarkable architecture. The Karel Zeman Museum is dedicated to one of the most incredible filmmakers, whose work deserves to be talked about. If you watch the trailer for his film Invention for Destruction (1958), you'll see art direction that still looks incredible. Much better than most modern films today.
2) Schloss Hohenwerfen, Austria: This was the castle that was used in one of my favourite films of all time, “Where Eagles Dare”. Just going to the very spots used in the film would make me giddy.
3) Rhodes: The Mediterranean Island that was used to film scenes in another brilliant war adventure film, “The Guns of Navarone”. Whether it be the medieval city or the Acropolis of Lindos.
If you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?
Many years ago, I had a Shih Tzu named Max who loved food. During the summer, my dad cooked a barbecue. Max was looking for food, and we gave him a spare burger. It was a big burger, and he spent some time eating it. When he finished it, he still wanted more. It was one of those memories that we still remember about him.
Max was a wonderful dog who still holds a place in my family's heart. I used his name for my first character, and I also had another dog named Holly, whose name I later used for my secondary character.
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
Books with pictures and illustrations are a huge plus for me because I find them easier to engage with and use to get a visual sense of the world. I know that some people suggest using your imagination when reading the text of the story, but I find that when you have too many choices in your mind, it becomes hard to visualise.
I also like to try and go for a story that has a clear premise and isn’t too complicated, because if I’m going to read a story, I want it to be relaxing rather than feel like doing homework.
Do you have your own website?
I do: https://eoinmcloughlin.weebly.com/
It contains my animations, projects and social media links.
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
I am, while Max and Holly are aimed at ages 8-12, my next book is aimed at a younger audience. It's called “The Princess and the Dinosaur”. The premise is about a young princess who wants a pony, but gets a dinosaur instead.
At Jurassic Newpark, we had a dinosaur you could ride on like a horse, and it was popular with the kids. Some children who would tend to ride the dinosaur were young girls dressed as princesses. When operating the ride, I would often joke about the idea that a princess riding a dinosaur instead of a horse would make an interesting story. After I wrote my first book, the floodgates opened to the idea of making the princess and the dinosaur real. No one has written a story like that, so I might as well get it made.
Writing the story was a challenge, given that it was different to what I normally like to write. But I feel I finally cracked it. The story would show some of the challenges of having a dinosaur, but the princess is willing to make the most of what she has, and in the end, everyone would learn to accept it as well. I think learning to appreciate what you have and to adjust is an important lesson for children. Plus, the dinosaur would cause all sorts of mischief that children would find amusing.
I wrote the story and drew the storyboards, and my girlfriend Claudia Umpton is drawing the illustrations. She has a unique watercolour style that I believe would be well-suited to a younger audience.
At the moment, I’m waiting for Claudia to finish the illustrations so we can get the book out there. I am to have it finished by the end of the last week of February.
I also have plans for another Max and Holly book, which is the story of how the two met, called “A Thief Named Holly”. The story is that Max is a homeless performer and Holly is a thief working for the tyrannical crime boss Mama Fluffy. When Holly meets Max, she hires him to break into a vault to steal Fluffy’s jewel collection, but Max thinks he’s being hired to entertain. I already wrote the story as a screenplay for practice, but I’m going to rewrite it in book format and draw the illustrations. I plan to get started after I finish the dinosaur book.
Do you have any upcoming events or book promotions you would like to share?
I have no solid plans yet, but when “The Princess and the Dinosaur” is finished, I plan to have the Newpark Hotel promote and sell the book in Jurassic Newpark. Jurassic Newpark is a popular venue for families, and I bet kids would love to get a book about dinosaurs, especially if it's a funny story. No solid foundation has been set in stone, but if the park plans a big event, I’ll make sure you get an invitation.