In later interviews, Molloy claimed that she started writing her novel “in drips and drabs” on St Patrick’s Day 1981. Also, in the early 1980s, local Lancaster writers met on the third Friday of each month at the Trades Hall, Fenton Street, to read from their work; those who read could then be published in the next issue of Brazen Voices. Molloy published four short stories in the local periodical. When she sent Virago Press her short stories, the press replied that short stories were not very marketable, but they would consider a novel. Molloy eventually sent her manuscript to Virago and an offer to publish her novel No Mate for the Magpie arrived in February 1984. No Mate for the Magpie was published in March 1985 with British and Irish reviews all astoundingly favorable. Molloy became a literary sensation, not only through the reviews of the book, but also via newspaper, radio, and television interviews. The most prominent British interview for Molloy was on London Weekend Television presented by Hermione Lee for Channel Four. Molloy also conducted a successful book tour in Ireland and Northern Ireland with brilliant reviews, and interviews.