Black and white logo illustration of a bird perched on a fountain pen next to the text 'Diane Hartman author' - logo design by Jeanette Lehmann.

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.
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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

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AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW - ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY -

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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.

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“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

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

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

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10/04/2025

AUTHOR SIGNING AT BARNES & NOBLE PLAINFIELD
in The Shops at Perry Crossing from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
2540 Perry Crossing Way Ste #135 Plainfield, IN 46168

10/11/2025

AUTHOR SIGNING AT LINDEN LEAF GIFTS
St. Mary-of-the-Woods, West Terre Haute, IN from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
1 Sisters of Providence, St Mary-Of-The-Woods, IN 47876

10/18/2025

MEET AN AUTHOR, BE AN AUTHOR at INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY
Central 40 East Saint Clair St. Indianapolis, IN from 11:00am - 2:00 pm
40 E St Clair St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

11/29/2025

AUTHOR SIGNING at SECOND FLIGHT BOOKS
Lafayette, IN from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
2122 Scott St, Lafayette, IN 47904

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?