Turning the Page on Tomorrow’s Bestsellers: Irish Writers Centre Reveals Winners of International Debut Novel Competition 2026

Competition attracts entries from 38 countries as Irish Writers Centre celebrates its 35th anniversary

From Australia to Abu Dhabi, New York to New Zealand, hundreds of aspiring novelists set their sights on the Irish Writers Centre International Debut Novel Competition in 2026, reinforcing its position as one of the most respected opportunities for unpublished novelists seeking their publishing breakthrough.

As the Irish Writers Centre celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, the competition continues to strengthen its international reputation, attracting an impressive 804 submissions from 38 countries. While this year’s twelve winning novelists hail from Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe, the breadth of entries highlights the competition’s growing global reach and the organisation’s enduring commitment to discovering outstanding new literary voices wherever they may be.

Of the submissions received, 413 came from Ireland and 194 from the UK, followed by strong interest from the United States, Australia (40 entries), France, Germany, Canada, Croatia, Singapore, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, demonstrating the increasing international recognition of both the competition and the Irish Writers Centre.

The twelve winning writers will now have the opportunity to skip the traditional publishing queue, pitching their debut novels directly to leading publishers and literary agents during two dedicated Pitch Days taking place on the 10^th and 11^th of September. During these exclusive sessions, the writers will pitch their work either face-to-face or over Zoom with some of the publishing industry’s leading decision-makers.

Publishers and literary agencies who have previously participated include Bonnier Books UK, Hachette Ireland, Penguin Random House, John Murray Press, New Island Books, William Morris Endeavor, Fitzcarraldo Editions, Poolbeg Press, The Book Bureau, Rye Literary Agency, Curtis Brown and The Lisa Richards Agency, among others.

Mags McLoughlin, CEO of the Irish Writers Centre, said:
“As we celebrate 35 years of the Irish Writers Centre, it feels especially fitting to continue investing in the next generation of writers. One of the most rewarding aspects of this competition is seeing writers progress from pitching an unpublished manuscript to celebrating the publication of their debut novel. Just last week, we were delighted to host the Dublin launch of Andrew Cunning’s debut novel, Clara and Christina (John Murray Press), here in the Irish Writers Centre. Andrew first pitched that very novel through this competition in February 2025, making it even more rewarding to now welcome the next group of talented writers who are embarking on the same journey.”

The Irish Writers Centre International Debut Novel Competition is an annual literary competition that awards twelve unpublished novelists the opportunity to pitch their novels directly to leading publishers and literary agents. Over the years, it has become an important stepping stone for emerging writers, providing invaluable industry access and helping launch new literary careers.

Irish Writers Centre International Debut Novel Competition 2026 Winners

Eileen Donnellan 

Raised on a farm in East Clare, Eileen Donnellan worked as a private palliative care nurse in Australia before focusing on writing. Her novel, The Notion of Words, explores grief, hidden secrets and the impact of false beliefs, while her short fiction has also been broadcast on Scariff Bay FM.

 

Fiona Ennis 

Fiona Ennis is an award-winning fiction writer and lecturer in Literature and Philosophy at South East Technological University. Her work has won and been shortlisted for numerous national and international literary awards, and she is the recipient of a 2026 EU Presidency Literature Bursary.

 

Philip Fitzpatrick

Philip Fitzpatrick is a secondary school English and Geography teacher at Cabinteely Community School. His debut novel, School Days Over, was written while balancing full-time teaching with raising his young son.

 

Caitríona McGuire 

Caitríona McGuire began writing in 2023 after careers spanning television production, frontline paramedicine and healthcare. She was selected for the Irish Writers Centre National Mentoring Programme 2026 and lives in Dublin with her wife and two adult sons.

 

Tom Hall 

Tom Hall is an award-winning writer, director and producer whose television and film credits include Bachelors Walk, Modern Love, Sensation and Northern Lights. Louder than War is his debut novel.

 

Adana Keane 

Adana Keane lives in Wexford and previously took part in the Irish Writers Centre Mentorship Programme. Her writing has appeared in the Irish Independent New Irish Writing Competition and has been recognised in the Bridport and Fish Flash Fiction competitions.

 

Paul McMahon

Originally from West Belfast and now living in Cork, Paul McMahon is an acclaimed poet and playwright whose work has received numerous national and international awards. His poetry has appeared in leading literary publications, while his latest play was developed with The Abbey Theatre.

 

Colin Sheridan

Colin Sheridan is a journalist and columnist with the Irish Examiner, writing on pop culture, sport and international affairs. His debut novel, Entropy, explores identity, conflict, belonging and the search for meaning.

 

Michael Stevens 

Originally from Mayo, Michael Stevens is a writer, musician and songwriter whose work has appeared in a range of literary journals. A two-time Arts Council funding recipient, he is also a founding member of the Popical Island collective.

 

Zoë Dunkley 

Originally from Staffordshire, Zoë Dunkley trained as a biochemist before leaving a career in oncology research to write full-time. Her work has been recognised by several international novel competitions, including the WriteMentor Novel Award and the Ascent Novel Prize.

 

Angela Pertusini 

Angela Pertusini is an award-winning journalist who has worked across newspapers and magazines. She recently completed her debut novel, Otherwhere, while studying on the Curtis Brown Creative Write Your Novel course.

 

Christopher Smith 

Christopher Smith works in commercial licensing and intellectual property in Brighton. His fiction has been recognised by the Bridport Prize, the Hope Prize and the Retreat West First Chapter Competition.