Author Archives for IWC_admin

International Debut Novel Competition 2025

July 8, 2025 3:04 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Are you the next big voice in fiction? On Friday 1 August, the Irish Writers Centre will open its doors to the International Debut Novel Competition, a revamped version of Novel Fair, until Sunday 14 September 2025, whose sole mission is to continue to find the newest voices of literature. The competition has helped launch dozens of writing careers over the past fourteen years as 12 selected winners get to bypass the slush pile and pitch their debut novels directly to top publishers and literary agents, either in person or online during a two-day hybrid event. “It’s changed my life and catapulted me into the literary world in a way that would have taken some time on my own. That’s if I would’ve broken in at all.” Lauren Mackenzie, 2021 winner, author of The Couples After submissions close on the... Read Moreread more.


Our Young Writer Delegates look back on Belfast Book Festival 2025

July 7, 2025 4:10 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Last month, writers, readers and book-lovers from far and wide travelled to Belfast for the Belfast Book Festival 2025. From 5-9 June, attendees were treated to a week full of readings, conversations, film screenings, walking tours, events and special guests, which showcased new voices, diverse writing, Irish and international writing talent. Among the attendees were our Irish Writers Centre/BBF Young Writer Delegates, Joshua Beatty, Beth Healy, Nicole Lee Jiaqi and Sean Rowan. As part of the festival our Young Writer Delegates took part in a showcase event where they got the chance to perform some of their work to a packed audience in the Crescent Arts Centre, along with the awardees of our programme for emerging writers, New Voices: North. Their local writer-mentor Chris Wright was in attendance, along with New Voices: North mentors Jan Carson and Stephen Sexton. Each... Read Moreread more.


Opportunities for Writers: July 2025

July 2, 2025 2:49 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Looking for somewhere to submit your writing? You’re in luck: our monthly bulletin of submission windows, competitions, bursaries, residencies and general literary opportunities is now live. For more upcoming opportunities, see our competitions, submissions and opportunities and bursaries and funding pages. Irish Writers Centre DEADLINE: 9 JULY 2025 Cill Rialaig Residencies 2025 The Irish Writers Centre is delighted to announce the return of the Cill Rialaig Residencies (now in their eleventh consecutive year). This year, the residencies will offer seven writers the opportunity to spend a ten-day period in the beautiful surrounds of Cill Rialaig, Co. Kerry from 15 to 25 October 2025. Each writer will have their own house, provided free of charge. Expenses incurred can include food and travel. Who is it for? Writers working in any genre or form (poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, children’s/YA fiction, etc.), who are... Read Moreread more.


The Irish Writers Centre Roadshow at The West Cork Literary Festival

June 26, 2025 10:23 am Published by Leave your thoughts

Throughout 2025, the Irish Writers Centre is touring the island, bringing an exciting programme of literary events from creative writing workshops, showcases, panel discussions, masterclasses and information sessions to the four provinces, serving an all-island literary community with tuition, peer support and networking opportunities for writers at every stage of their journey. In July, our Roadshow is heading to Bantry for the West Cork Literary Festival, running from 11 – 18 July 2025, with an international lineup of renowned and emerging writers. The festival has been a firm fixture in Ireland’s literary scene for over 25 years and now even features a festival swim! You can see the festival brochure here. We are delighted to offer five events this year comprising of two discussions, a spoken word showcase, a zine workshop and a creative writing seminar. Below are details of... Read Moreread more.


A Roadmap for Plot: Using Character to Develop Story with Tim MacGabhann

June 23, 2025 10:33 am Published by Leave your thoughts

We are delighted to announce the second in our new series of workshops for emerging writers – A Roadmap for Plot: Using Character to Develop Story with Tim MacGabhann. About the workshop Adapted from screenwriting, psychoanalytic theory, and creative writing workshops, this one-day course is intended to help writers figure out what their characters want, and how this can drive – or frustrate – the movement of a piece of plotted fiction (long or short, fiction or nonfiction) from beginning through middle to end. Although suited to realist and genre fiction, some of these ideas and prompts can be turned inside-out, and used to serve an anti-plot or more experimental impulse. Suggestions on how to go in this inverse direction will also be explored. This is the second in a series of intermediate-level workshops to be held at the Irish... Read Moreread more.


Writers Showcase at the Irish Writers Centre: Out of Towners

June 20, 2025 1:16 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Dublin city was buzzing last Wednesday, with the final arrival of summer, the press launch for our video series Dublin, One City, Many Stories and the wonderful Wendy Erskine launching her debut novel down the road in Books Upstairs. However, we still found time to host our first Writers Showcase at the Irish Writers Centre. Lauren O’Donovan from Cork pictured at the Irish Writers Centre’s first Writers Showcase. Picture Andres Poveda Located on Parnell Square, formerly known as Ruthland Square and one of the grandest squares in 19th century Dublin and once home to Lord Charlemont next door, in what is now the Hugh Lane Gallery, the Irish Writers Centre is housed itself in a stunning Georgian building and our aim is to ensure writers know these rooms are open to them, not just for taking part in-person courses, one-to-one... Read Moreread more.


Blog: Dublin, One City, Many Stories

June 20, 2025 4:54 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

A new six-part video series from the Irish Writers Centre in collaboration Dublin UNESCO City of Literature  On Wednesday 18th June, at the Irish Writers Centre, joined by the first citizen of the city, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emma Blain, we held the press launch for Dublin, One City, Many Stories – a vibrant video series celebrating 15 years of Dublin as a member of UNESCO City of Literature and an acknowledgement of the Irish Writers Centre as an all-island resource for writers at every stage of their career. The launch included speeches from the Lord Mayor, Mags McLoughlin, CEO of the Irish Writers Centre, Anne-Marie Kelly, director of Dublin UNESCO City of literature and performances from Ciara Ni É and Emmet Kirwan. Mags McLoughlin, CEO Irish Writers Centre, with Lord Mayor of Dublin Emma Blain & Anne-Marie Kelly,... Read Moreread more.


Irish Writers Centre Membership Relaunch 2025

June 17, 2025 4:19 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

We are delighted to announce the relaunch of our Membership programme, now featuring a range of new benefits, including bookshop discounts, exclusive member events and extended hours in our writing rooms. Anyone Can Become a Member The Irish Writers Centre invites writers, readers and supporters of Irish writing to join our growing community of members across the island of Ireland. Benefit from discounts to our courses, masterclasses and events, as well as discounts with selected Irish bookstores. Also, avail of exclusive member networking events, or simply enjoy writing time in our beautiful building in Parnell Square, Dublin. Benefits of Membership When you sign up for Irish Writers Centre Membership, you will receive: 10% discount on all Academy courses, masterclasses, seminars 10% discount on all Irish Writers Centre literary events 10% discount at selected Irish bookstores including Chapters in Dublin, Kennys... Read Moreread more.


34 Writers Selected for Irish Writers Centre’s National Mentoring Programme 2025

June 11, 2025 2:54 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

The Irish Writers Centre has today announced the 34 talented writers chosen for its prestigious National Mentoring Programme 2025, following an exceptional response to this year’s nationwide callout, which attracted 354 applicants. Each selected writer will receive one-to-one mentoring from an established writer, offering invaluable creative and professional guidance over the coming months. Now in its eighth year, the National Mentoring Programme (NMP) has become one of the most significant supports for emerging and mid-career writers across Ireland. Run by the Irish Writers Centre – the country’s leading organisation for writer development – the initiative plays a crucial role in shaping Ireland’s literary landscape by nurturing talent at pivotal stages in a writer’s journey. Since its founding in 1991, the Irish Writers Centre’s mission has been to support the life of the writer – those whose ideas and words illuminate... Read Moreread more.


We Are Hiring: Reception Administrator

June 10, 2025 4:14 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Sunday 6 July 2025 Role: Reception Administrator Contract: Full-time and permanent with a six-month probation period Salary: €30k p.a. Reporting to: Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Deputy CEO) Location: Irish Writers Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, D01 E102. Please note that the post-holder will need to be Dublin-based to carry out the duties of this position. Irish Writers Centre Founded in 1991, the Irish Writers Centre is Ireland’s leading resource and development organisation for writers. Our vision is to support the life of the writer as they illuminate our lives with their ideas and words. Our creative writing Academy delivers a year-round programme of 150+ creative writing courses, masterclasses and seminars, both online and in-person. In addition, we run a National Mentoring Programme and administer a significant range of development opportunities and programmes for beginner, emerging... Read Moreread more.


We Are Hiring: Programming Assistant

June 10, 2025 4:05 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Sunday 6 July 2025 Role: Programming Assistant Contract: Full time, permanent, with a six-month probation period Salary: €32k p.a. Reporting to: Deputy Chief Executive Officer with Head of Programming as line manager Location: Irish Writers Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, D01 E102. Please note that the post-holder will need to be Dublin-based to carry out the duties of this position. Irish Writers Centre Founded in 1991, the Irish Writers Centre is Ireland’s leading resource and development organisation for writers. Our vision is to support the life of the writer as they illuminate our lives with their ideas and words. Our creative writing Academy delivers a year-round programme of 150+ creative writing courses, masterclasses and seminars, both online and in-person. In addition, we run a National Mentoring Programme and administer a significant range of development opportunities... Read Moreread more.


We are Hiring: Marketing and Communications Co-Ordinator

June 10, 2025 3:50 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Sunday 6 July 2025 Role: Marketing and Communications Co-Ordinator Contract: Full-time and permanent with a six-month probation period Salary: €36k p.a.  Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with Deputy CEO as line manager Location: Irish Writers Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, D01 E102. Please note that the post-holder will need to be Dublin-based to carry out the duties of this position. Irish Writers Centre Founded in 1991, the Irish Writers Centre is Ireland’s leading resource and development organisation for writers. Our vision is to support the life of the writer as they illuminate our lives with their ideas and words. Our creative writing Academy delivers a year-round programme of 150+ creative writing courses, masterclasses and seminars, both online and in-person. In addition, we run a National Mentoring Programme and administer a significant range of development... Read Moreread more.


Opportunities for Writers: June 2025

June 9, 2025 1:00 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Check out the current opportunities available for writers. See a list below of summer deadlines for submissions, competitions, bursaries, residencies and other opportunities. For the full list of opportunities, check out: Competitions, submissions and other opportunities and Bursaries and funding  Irish Writers Centre Evolution Programme 2025 -2026   Who is it for: Writers living on the island of Ireland who have successfully published at least one book. Deadline for applications: Sunday 29 June 2025 The Irish Writers Centre is delighted to announce the return of the Evolution Programme for 2025-2026. This free six-month programme will provide support for up to twelve published writers (1 or 2 books) to advance their writing careers. The selected writers can choose from a suite of supports which includes creative writing courses, one-to-one mentoring, clinics with industry experts, monthly peer forums and Irish Writers Centre membership with access to writing space. It also... Read Moreread more.


Join us at Belfast Book Festival this weekend

June 6, 2025 10:49 am Published by Leave your thoughts

We are delighted to attend the 15th edition of the annual Belfast Book Festival, run by the Crescent Arts Centre this June. On Sunday 8 June 2025, join us for an information session about all things Irish Writers Centre and a reading showcase featuring our 2025 Young Writer Delegates and New Voices: North recipients.  Irish Writers Centre: Information Session Date: Sunday 8 June 2025 Time: 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM Price: Pay What You Decide – Recommended Price £12.50 Book you ticket The Irish Writers Centre is the leading development and resource organisation for writers. Carrying out its work online and in-person on an all-island basis, it supports writers at every stage of their journey. During this panel discussion, three panelists will share their experience as recipients of some of the key programmes at the Irish Writers Centre, including the... Read Moreread more.