Author Archives for IWC_admin

Perilous Publishing: A Guide for Irish Horror Writers

October 31, 2023 4:20 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

  Writer: Gloria McNeely Gloria is a writer from Donegal. She graduated from UCD with a joint BA in English and Music, and since then has been heavily involved in the writing and performance scenes in Dublin. She runs dedicated book review accounts on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok under the name @gloriamcneelywriter, encompassing all writing but with a love of horror and darker stories. She published her first short story in late 2020 and will soon be releasing her first novella. Gloria has recently joined the IWC team as our new Arts Administration Intern.   Do you find others are afraid of your horror writing – but not in the way you would like? Do you struggle to find books of the strange and macabre written by Irish authors? From world renowned Irish writers, the ups and downs of the... Read Moreread more.


“The book I start with is never the book I finish with”: Declan Toohey on Perpetual Comedown, his literary influences and his success at the 2021 IWC Novel Fair

October 20, 2023 3:12 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

    Interviewer: Jack Delaney Jack Delaney is a writer and theatre-maker from County Meath. He joined the Irish Writers Centre as an Arts Administration Intern in March.       This year we have been conducting a series of interviews with Irish Writers Centre (IWC) Novel Fair past winners. In this, the fifth and final conversation in our series, we hear from novelist and 2021 winner Declan Toohey whose debut novel, Perpetual Comedown, was published earlier this year by New Island Books. Perpetual Comedown (published by New Island Books) isn’t the latest novel Declan Toohey has written, but it is his first. It tells the story of Trinity doctoral student Darren Walton as he investigates a phenomenon known as Camland: an “alternate Ireland” known to hardly anyone but Darren where, unlike in its real-world referent, “everyone [is] free to... Read Moreread more.


Apply now: Support schemes for Northern Ireland writers

October 12, 2023 10:38 am Published by Leave your thoughts

The Irish Writers Centre is pleased to announce a new round of support schemes for writers from or based in Northern Ireland, made possible with support from the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. The supports for writers from or based in Northern Ireland include: 40 IWC Course Bursaries 20 IWC Memberships 30 IWC Mentoring supports Apply by Wednesday 8th November 2023 at 5:00pm. In keeping with Goal 2 of our 2022–2026 strategy, these schemes will enhance opportunities for people across all communities to participate in creative writing and enhance their writing practise. Find out more and apply on our website. Irish Writers Centre Opportunities for Writers The Irish Writers Centre is the leading support and development organisation for writers in Ireland. We run a series of free and exciting programmes to support writers of all types and... Read Moreread more.


Sharmilla Beezmohun, Eoin McHugh, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne and Susan Tomaselli announced as the Novel Fair 2024 Judges

October 11, 2023 3:26 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

The deadline for Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair, our annual international writing competition, closed on Saturday 30th September and we are thrilled to let you that we received an unprecedented number of manuscripts (the largest number since 2012!). See below our panel of judges for Novel Fair 2024. We are excited to announce that Sharmilla Beezmohun, Eoin McHugh, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne and Susan Tomaselli are set to judge Novel Fair this year. Due to the high volume of submissions, this is the first year we have broke our usual tradition of having a 3 judges, making a last minute decision to welcome a 4th judge, Susan Tomaselli. The Novel Fair judges will sift through entries from all over the world to select 12 finalists to take part in what has been described as a ‘Dragon’s Den for writers’ (Irish Times). IWC Novel Fair offers... Read Moreread more.


Irish Writers Centre Open Call for Expressions of Interest in Treasurer

October 5, 2023 10:52 am Published by Leave your thoughts

The Irish Writers Centre (IWC) is seeking to add a new treasurer to its Board of Directors to continue leading on the work of the board in line with the 2022-26 strategy which can be found here. We are looking for those with a passion for the arts and an interest in the literary landscape in Ireland. This call seeks individuals with skills and experience in one or more of the following areas, having regard also to gender, diversity and age balance: Financial reporting Financial planning and budgeting Statutory accounts audit Tax Fund-raising and/or A recognised qualification in accountancy   How to Apply: *N.B: Please read the full details and application guidelines. Applications are to be sent by email to Valerie Bistany at director@irishwriterscentre.ie. Enquiries may be made to the same email address. *Writers will need to consider their involvement... Read Moreread more.


Job Opportunity: Independent Financial Administrator at the Irish Writers Centre

October 3, 2023 4:53 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

We are currently seeking an Independent Financial Administrator to join our team at the Irish Writers Centre. This position is part time (one-day per week) and will be located at the Irish Writers Centre (Parnell Square, Dublin 1).  Independent Financial Administrator at the Irish Writers Centre JOB TITLE: Independent Financial Administrator Contractual position: one day per week (in Parnell Square, Dublin 1) Remuneration: €30 per hour or €210 per day for a 7-hour day Deadline for applications: Tuesday 24 October 2023 at 5pm. The Independent Financial Administrator reports to the Director/CEO and works closely with the Deputy Director and the Treasurer of the IWC Board. The Independent Financial Administrator will have responsibility for the preparation of management accounts for review and presentation to the executive and Board of Management, as well as a number of other finance and bookkeeping duties. This is a hands-on role... Read Moreread more.


Sunset over Annaghmakerrig Lake, a view that inspires our artists

Opportunities and Competitions October 2023

October 3, 2023 3:23 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Photo credit: Tyrone Guthrie Centre (Sunset over Annaghmakerrig Lake) Each month we update our Competitions & Submissions page, along with our Bursaries & Funding, to ensure that we are connecting our writers with the best upcoming opportunities. Here are a few deadlines we wanted to highlight this October. Submissions The Pigs Back Deadline: 15 October 2023 The Pig’s Back (named for Donegal’s Muckish mountain and for the phrase ar mhuin na muice, to be in luck) is a literary prose journal that aims to bring the rest of Ireland – and in turn, the world – to the northwest. Founded by the Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny, it publishes short fiction and essays. Banshee Press  Deadline: 31 October 2023 Banshee Press is a small independent Irish publisher that produces a twice-yearly literary journal, Banshee, as well as a select list of books. They love... Read Moreread more.


Writer-in-residence opportunities at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre

September 26, 2023 3:54 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Need a change of scenery to focus on your writing? How about some time in a quiet, tranquil place? The Irish Writers Centre and The Tyrone Guthrie Centre are happy to announce that applications are now open for our annual Lacuna and Jack Harte Bursaries.  The Lacuna Bursary  offers an emerging a one-week fully resourced writer-in-residence bursary to take place in 2024 by arrangement with the Tyrone Guthrie Centre. This bursary is designed to support an emerging writer from an underrepresented background in Irish literature to develop their writing practice. Find out more information and apply here The Jack Harte Bursary offers a professional writer a one-week fully resourced writer-in-residence bursary to take place in 2024 by arrangement with the Tyrone Guthrie Centre. The award is named in honour of Jack Harte, founder of the Irish Writers Centre, in celebration... Read Moreread more.


“Balbriggan was the furthest thing from the pages of literature”: Kevin Curran on Novel Fair, Youth and representation in Irish Writing

September 25, 2023 10:54 am Published by Leave your thoughts

      Interviewer: Jo Morton This blog post has been written by our team member, Jo Morton, Communications and Marketing Officer, Irish Writers Centre.       This is the fourth interview in a series of conversations with past Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair winners. Our Communications and Marketing Officer, Jo Morton, interviewed secondary school teacher and multi-published author Kevin Curran, who generously shares his experiences of winning the first ever Novel Fair in 2011, his new novel Youth (Lilliput Press 2023), and the long and collaborative road from initial idea to published book. Kevin Curran grew up in Balbriggan, a coastal town in County Dublin, where he still lives balancing work as a secondary English teacher and life as a writer. Kevin is the author of three books: Beatspolitation (Liberties Press 2013), Citizens (Liberties Press 2016), and Youth... Read Moreread more.


Announcing our 10 selected writers for Irish Writers Centre Evolution Programme 2023-2024

September 13, 2023 3:21 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

We are thrilled to announce the awardees for the Irish Writers Centre Evolution Programme 2023-2024: Aoife Barry, Paul Carroll, Mia Christina Doring, Ana Kinsella, Marianne McShane, Juliette Saumande, Molly Twomey, Aimée Walsh, Tríona Walsh, and Gwen Wilkinson. The 10 selected Evolution Programme 2023-2024 (EP3) writers will benefit from a suite of tailored supports including career development with professional editorial, practical or creative support by way of a mentor, participation in clinics, performance opportunities at literary events, and self-selected Irish Writers Centre writing courses. Find out more about the programme here.  The IWC Evolution Programme is in partnership with the School of English and Creative Arts in the University of Galway who provide three Evolution awardees the opportunity to teach on the Creative Writing undergraduate course as part of a paid internship. The three Evolution writers who have been selected for the University of... Read Moreread more.


PRESS RELEASE: Irish Writers Centre re-launches 10-week programme for new Irish communities

September 13, 2023 10:02 am Published by Leave your thoughts

PRESS RELEASE: Irish Writers Centre re-launches 10-week programme for new Irish communities The Irish Writers Centre (IWC) is reimagining its decade-old New Irish Communities programme to better reflect our changed society. Funded by Dublin City Council, the programme was established in 2015 with the mission of giving access to non-native English speakers to write creatively in English. About the new programme: BEYOND New Irish Communities From Saturday 23rd September 2023, the Irish Writers Centre opens its doors for writers to meet and share ideas with experienced poets and novelists. Taking place over ten weeks, every Saturday morning a different facilitator will lead an exciting writing group with the aim of creating a long-standing and supportive creative community. This year’s facilitators are Mark Granier, Nithy Kasa, Fióna Bolger, Jean O’Brien, Sree Sen, Cauvery Madhaven, Melatu Uche Okorie and Suad Aldarra. ‘…what... Read Moreread more.


Book your tickets for Kildare Readers Festival 2023

September 7, 2023 4:18 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

  Kildare Readers Festival 2023 In association with the Irish Writers Centre We are excited to let you know that Kildare Readers Festival is returning this Octobor in venues across the county from Monday, 2nd October to Sunday, 8th October 2023. Launched by Kildare Library & Arts Services (in association with the Irish Writers Centre), Kildare Readers Festival connects readers with authors and artists through exciting, innovative and accessible events and workshops. We look forward to welcoming audiences for regular favourites such as Ten Books You Should Read and the Sunday Session. Dermot Bolger will this year speak with poet Michael O’Loughlin and soprano Judith Mok. Oein DeBhairduin will be giving us an exclusive preview of his book Twiggy Woman in Celbridge Library. Kathleen Murray will chat to Ed O’Loughlin about her debut novel The Deadwood Encore described as ‘the Coen Brothers... Read Moreread more.


Looking back on Autumn Open Day 2023

August 30, 2023 4:23 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Last Saturday, the 26th of August, we opened our doors for the annual IWC Autumn Open Day. Featuring a range of events – including taster workshops, professional development seminars, meet-and-greets and more – the Open Day was and is an excellent opportunity for those unfamiliar with the Irish Writers Centre to drop in, have a roam around the building and learn about the many ways the IWC can support you as a writer. Festivities kicked off with a coffee reception, followed by a taster workshop led by novelist Kevin Curran. A co-winner of the inaugural IWC Novel Fair back in 2012, Kevin is a writer and secondary school teacher from Balbriggan whose most recent novel Youth was published by Lilliput Press earlier this year. Kevin was one of several writers to run workshops over the course of the day, joining... Read Moreread more.


Opportunities and Competitions September 2023

September 12, 2023 2:15 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Photo credit: the facade of Palás cinema in Galway, taken by our Communications and Marketing Officer Jo Morton.  Each month we update our Competitions & Submissions page, along with our Bursaries & Funding, to ensure that we are connecting our writers with the best upcoming opportunities. Here are a few deadlines we wanted to highlight this September. Irish Writers Centre Opportunities: The Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2024 Deadline: 30th September 2023 Our very own Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair is back for its 12th year with submissions open until the the 30th of September. You probably know all about it by now but in case you don’t, IWC Novel Fair is a competition open to anyone who has yet to publish a full length novel. How does it work? Well, all you have to do is submit the first 10,000 words of... Read Moreread more.