FOR FANS OF McCARTHY’S BAR,

a debut memoir about a woman’s humorous and poignant solo adventures of self-discovery on Ireland’s backroads.

© Author photos copyright by Lynne Medsker. A black-and-white portrait of author Diane Hartman with shoulder-length hair, making a winking face.
Outline drawing of a butterfly with open wings.

a debut memoir about a woman’s humorous and poignant solo adventures of self-discovery on Ireland’s backroads.

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY NOW - RELEASE DATE - SEPTEMBER 30, 2025  

For fans of McCarthy’s Bar,

A woman with a camera around her neck standing in front of an ancient castle ruins on a grassy field.

AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW - ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY

-

AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW - ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY -

Green rolling hills with a stone wall, white flowers, and trees in the distance
Cliffs along the coastline with waves crashing at their base, covered in greenery, extending into the distance.

Motivated by her love of Irish music and Celtic spirituality, along with her desire to find healing from depression,

Diane sets off for Ireland,

a country she’s been captivated by for years.

Her romantic preconceptions of the Emerald Isle quickly clash with reality, however, and while there she faces many obstacles, including driving the narrow, ill-marked roads throughout the countryside she traverses.

Her romantic preconceptions of the Emerald Isle quickly clash with reality, however, and while there she faces many obstacles, including driving the narrow, ill-marked roads throughout the countryside she traverses.

Motivated by her love of Irish music and Celtic spirituality, along with her desire to find healing from depression,

Diane sets off for Ireland, a country she’s been obsessed with for years.

Text reading 'BOOK CLUB' in bold orange letters on a white background.

“A beautifully written, evocative account of a woman's solo journey throughout the Irish countryside in search of meaning and grace. It was as if I was with her as she drove the winding roads, meeting with serendipity and sages as she finds her way…and herself. Not only was I entertained, but I'm better for having read this book.”

—Laura Munson New York Times best-selling author and founder of Haven Writing Retreats

Three sheep walking along a rural road with grassy fields and mountains in the background.
Close-up of cracked and weathered rock formations in a desert landscape

“Diane Hartman’s charming memoir will inspire you to turn your back on all the ‘what ifs’ and fears related to middle age and traveling alone—and will leave you with a sense of peace and adventure.”

—Brenda Coffee author of Maya Blue: A Memoir of Survival

A minimalistic white sheet of paper with no visible objects or text.

Diane Hartman
is a retired school librarian, photographer, dog rescuer, mother, grandmother, and
lover of Ireland.

Most recently. Diane was awarded the Silver Winner Nonfiction Book Award by the Nonfiction Authors Association. Diane has also received honors for her writing from Midwest Writers Workshop, Daisy Pettles Women’s Writing Award, and the Griffith Writing Fellowship at the Mary Anderson Center. Her photography has garnered several awards, including the Indiana Governor’s Award. She is an alumnus of Laura Munson’s Haven Writing Workshops and Retreats, and this is her first book.

Diane lives in Indianapolis with her rescued corgi, Winston.

A tan and white dog resting its head on a plush, beige cushion with a throw blanket nearby.
Three sheep walking along a paved road with tall green grass and rolling hills in the background.
Black and white outline of a butterfly

Discover discussion questions and how to invite Diane to attend your book club virtually below her bio on this page.

Text with large orange ampersand followed by bold green words 'Book Signings'.

12/13/2025

03/22/2026

11/29/2025

Diane would love to visit
your Book Club via Zoom!

For information contact: Gettinglostonmyway@gmail.com

SAMPLE DISCUSSION POINTS
FOR BOOK CLUB:

  1. Overcoming Fear and Doing It Anyway

  2. Travel and Creativity Through Writing and Photography

  3. Travel and Mental Health

  4. Solo Travel

  5. Healing Trauma (suicide, depression, divorce) Through Travel

  6. Importance of Humor When Writing About Trauma

  7. What is the difference between a travelogue and a memoir?

  8. How did Getting Lost On My Way become a book?

  9. What is your writing process?

  10. What's next?