Author Archives for IWC_admin

Opportunities and Competitions December 2024

December 4, 2024 2:48 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Photo description: Frank O’Mahony standing in his store in Limerick (Photograph supplied by O’Mahony’s) In 2024 we are spotlighting all the amazing independent bookshops and booksellers on the island of Ireland simply because we love them and we think you should too. O’Mahony’s Booksellers has been a steadfast fixture in Limerick City since 1902, founded by J.P. O’Mahony at 120 O’Connell Street. Originally a modest 550 square foot shop with a small team of three employees, the store has grown and evolved over the decades, becoming a cornerstone of the local community. Each month we update our Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities webpage, along with our Bursaries & Funding webpage, to ensure we are connecting our writers with the best upcoming opportunities. Here are some of the highlights coming this month and some January submissions to consider during the holidays. Fellowships... Read Moreread more.


Writing Romantasy: Three Tips for the Overarching Plot

November 14, 2024 12:40 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

On Saturday (23 November), we are hosting a new workshop on Writing Romantasy with publisher and editor Tara Loder. Tara has worked on Sunday Times bestsellers, as well as chart topping digital bestsellers, and is experienced in taking a novel from an idea to a published masterpiece. In this 3-hour Saturday workshop, participants will discover what ‘makes a romantasy?’ by exploring key elements of this popular genre and learning how to incorporate these elements into their own writing. Can’t wait until Saturday? See below a small taster of the types of tips shared in next week’s workshop. Tara offers three tips for building an overarching plot for each of your Romantasy books. Romantasy is almost never a one and done. These books can have complex plots that run over several books. Each book has its own plot, leaving the reader satisfied... Read Moreread more.


Looking for an inspiring gift this Christmas?

November 11, 2024 3:14 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Are you looking to buy a gift for a writer this Christmas? Your gift could help them complete a new piece of writing or even tackle that novel or memoir they’ve always talked about. Our flexible e-gift vouchers can be put towards courses, workshops, membership and professional mentoring. How does an Irish Writers Centre e-gift voucher work? Go to the e-gift voucher webpage and select the amount you would like to give Email the gift voucher certificate to yourself, or directly to who you are buying it for You can choose to send it immediately or on a specific date Enter your name so they know who it’s from (and there’s space for a message) Add to basket and checkout, and you’re all set! Doing your shopping last minute? Our e-gift vouchers can be bought right up until Christmas crunch... Read Moreread more.


Opportunities and Competitions November 2024

November 7, 2024 2:21 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

From cinema to bookstore and so much more, the entrance to The Book Centre, Waterford (October 2024) Photo description: In 2024 we are spotlighting all the amazing independent bookshops and booksellers on the island of Ireland simply because we love them and we think you should too! The Book Centre is located in Waterford City, housed in the old Art Deco styled Savoy Cinema built in 1937. The screen, stage, ceiling and many other cinema features can still be seen today. The Book Centre / Barker & Jones have shops in Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny and Naas. Each month we update our Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities webpage, along with our Bursaries & Funding webpage, to ensure we are connecting our writers with the best upcoming opportunities. Here are some of the highlights coming this month. Bursaries/Residencies Way Beyond – residency program... Read Moreread more.


Demystifying Submissions: Meet Ireland’s Literary Journal Editors

October 30, 2024 2:59 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Interested in learning more about Ireland’s flourishing literary journal scene? Perhaps you’re looking to submit a poem, short story or essay for the first time? Maybe you’ve been submitting to journals before but you’re struggling to get published?   In this online event, ‘Demystifying Submissions’, listen to 15 literary journal editors from across the island of Ireland as they talk about the types of writing they like to publish, how their submission process works, and how best to approach submitting your work for publication. Hosted by Tolka‘s editor Liam Harrison and Holy Show‘s director and co-editor Brendan Mac Evilly, this webinar provides an accessible and informative introduction to some of Ireland’s most exciting journals. Packed with information and tips, this event was attended by Tolka, Holy Show, The Pig’s Back, Four Faced Liar, Poetry Ireland Review, The Waxed Lemon, Sans... Read Moreread more.


Photo Diary: Cill Rialaig Writers Residency 2024

October 16, 2024 2:42 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Last week, seven Irish Writers Centre members escaped to Cill Rialaig in County Kerry for a 10-day uninterrupted writing retreat. In this blog, our residency awardees capture their experience and the beautiful landscapes surrounding Cill Rialaig, locally known as the “edge of the world”. Read more about the awardees here. Slán le Cill Rialaig agus le mo chairde nua : scríbhneoirí na Cónaitheachta 2024 a bhronn an Irish Writers Centre orainn. Fanfaidh an t-eispéireas seo i mo chroí istigh ar feadh i bhfad. Agus taibhsí Uibh Ráthaigh, na manaigh ón sean am agus iad siúd a d’imigh rompu, Seanchaí na háite Seán Ó Conaill agus ar ndóigh muintir na háite feasta.  Hard to bid farewell to the place I called home for the last week and more, to the inspiring Gaeltacht landscape of people both past and present, the monks... Read Moreread more.


Kildare Readers’ Festival 2024

October 10, 2024 1:14 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

The Kildare Readers’ Festival kicked off yesterday and will run until 16 October. The Irish Writers Centre is delighted to be associated with this annual festival where all events are free and its aim is to connect readers with authors and artists. The festival programme has something for everyone, including regular favourite Ten Books You Should Read with social historian Catherine Corless and Abie Philbin Bowman. Sunday Sessions returns with Dermot Bolger, who this year is joined by acclaimed author Claire Kilroy and co-director of the Linenhall Arts Centre, Fiona Neary on the subject of family. The Revelation of Ireland with Diarmaid Ferriter and Reeling in the Queers with Anna Nolan and Páraic Kerrigan. This year’s festival welcomes some of the most exciting new voices in Irish literature including Debut Voices with Niamh Mulvey and Maggie Armstrong in conversation with... Read Moreread more.


Opportunities and Competitions October 2024

October 3, 2024 4:10 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

On display in The Winding Stair Bookshop, Dublin Photo description: In 2024 we are spotlighting all the amazing independent bookshops and booksellers on the island of Ireland simply because we love them and we think you should too! The Winding Stair Bookshop is one of the oldest surviving independent bookshops in Dublin. The bookshop has a unique atmosphere; a relaxed haven in the centre of the bustling city. It is the perfect shop for browsing and there is always something a little bit different to be found. Each month we update our Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities webpage, along with our Bursaries & Funding webpage, to ensure we are connecting our writers with the best upcoming opportunities. Here are some of the highlights coming this month. Bursaries/Residencies Support Schemes for Writers (Arts Council of Northern Ireland) 2024/2025 Deadline: 9 October 2024... Read Moreread more.


Morning-on-Annaghmakerrig-Lake.

Apply now: writers’ residencies at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre

September 25, 2024 2:48 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

We are delighted to announce two residency opportunities for writers at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre. The selected writers will spend one week at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre situated in the quiet countryside in County Monaghan. The residency includes access to the glorious grounds of the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, the Annaghmakerrig library and a communal drawing room which is used for collaborations, readings and talks. The Writer-in-Residence’s accommodation will be equipped with a writing desk and lamp. Jack Harte Bursary 2025 Deadline: Wednesday 16 October 2024 This is an open call for fiction writers, over 18 years of age, resident on the island of Ireland with: A proven track record and at least one book of fiction or collection of short stories published by a recognisable publisher. Acceptable forms of fiction include: prose, novel, short stories, screenplays and stageplays. On this... Read Moreread more.


“It’s the beating heart of your novel”: Tips for writing a winning synopsis

September 18, 2024 4:08 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

September is upon us, which can only mean one thing: the 2025 Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair is now well and truly underway. Each year, our Novel Fair competition awards 12 winners the opportunity to pitch their novel to leading publishers and agents. With the 30 September submission deadline fast approaching, writers everywhere are busy sharpening their manuscripts, shortening their word counts, and – perhaps most importantly – getting that all-important 300-word novel synopsis ready for submission. As every Novel Fair-hopeful will know, writing a synopsis can be a tricky business. What should I focus on? Should I give away my ending? Where do I begin? To help with this, we’ve reached out to a handful of past Novel Fair judges and/or attendees to shed some light on what qualities they believe make for a winning synopsis.  Remember: there’s no one... Read Moreread more.


Culture Night at the Irish Writers Centre

September 5, 2024 11:53 am Published by Leave your thoughts

Oíche Chultúir ag Áras Scríbhneoirí na hÉireann Culture Night at the Irish Writers Centre Friday 20 September 2024 | Free Entry  The Irish Writers Centre will be alight with joyful celebration at this year’s Culture Night, taking place on Friday 20 September, 2024 between 5pm – 9pm. Expect an eclectic series of free events that celebrate Ireland’s diverse literary and art scene. We will also have a workshop taster and drop-in session to get you acquainted with the craft of writing fiction. We have a jam-packed schedule for the night’s festivities – see the full schedule below! Irish Writers Centre. August 2023   Open House at the Irish Writers Centre  5.00pm – 5.30pm Pop in on Culture Night for a cup of tea or coffee, meet the team and find out about all we have to offer.   Headshot of David... Read Moreread more.


Opportunities and Competitions September 2024

September 3, 2024 4:55 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Book bench at front of store Photo description: In 2024 we are spotlighting all the amazing independent bookshops and booksellers on the island of Ireland simply because we love them and we think you should too!  n 2016 Books at One opened its first community book shop in Louisburgh, Co Mayo. Nestled between Ireland’s holy mountain, Croagh Patrick, and Connaught’s highest mountain, Mweelrea. Books at One is a collective of locally managed community bookshops located in Mayo, Dublin and Galway.  Each month we update our Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities webpage, along with our Bursaries & Funding webpage, to ensure we are connecting our writers with the best upcoming opportunities. Here are some of the highlights coming this month. Bursaries   Culture Moves Europe Individual Mobility Award webinar Deadline: 30th November 2024 (Rolling monthly deadlines from August to 30th Nov 2024)... Read Moreread more.


Ten writers selected for Irish Writers Centre Evolution Programme 2024-2025

September 3, 2024 5:05 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

We are thrilled to announce the ten awardees for the Irish Writers Centre Evolution Programme 2024-2025: Francesca Bratton, Alicia Byrne Keane, Amy Clarkin, Patrick Holloway, Marianne Lee, Tim MacGabhann, Emma McKervey, Roisín O’Donnell, Catriona Shine and Milena Williamson. Evolution is a six-month programme that provides support for ten published writers to advance their careers. Through providing each writer with a tailored suite of supports, this programme aims to ease the difficult journey for published writers who have one or two books under their belt and need further support at a crucial stage of their careers. The suite of supports includes access to courses, one-to-one mentoring (creative and professional), IWC membership, monthly peer-to-peer knowledge sharing forums and an opportunity to be on a paid teaching residency with the School of English and Creative Arts at the University of Galway. The three... Read Moreread more.


Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2025 now open

September 2, 2024 3:03 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

  Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2025 now open Pitch directly to top publishers and agents The Irish Writers Centre (IWC) is calling for submissions to its annual Novel Fair competition. Throughout the month of September, the IWC welcomes unpublished (and unsigned) novelists to get their manuscript sample and synopsis in top shape for submission. Described by The Irish Times as ‘A Dragons’ Den for writers,’ twelve winners will be invited to participate in a two-day event where they will pitch their novels to national and international publishers and literary agents. The IWC team will also help prepare winners for the event and make the most of the opportunity to bypass the slush pile. This competition has been a career-changing opportunity for writers across the island of Ireland and worldwide, with entries last year from 17 countries. Since its inception in... Read Moreread more.