Evolution Programme

What is the Evolution Programme?

Following on from the success of our pilot programme in 21-22, and in keeping with Goal 1 of our 2022-2026 Strategy, the Irish Writers Centre has continued to implement the Evolution Programme for professional writers. This six-month programme provides support for writers to advance their craft and career with confidence and resilience.

The Evolution Programme is an opportunity for up to 12 published writers resident on the island of Ireland to avail from a series of sustained supports, which are partly tailored to their specific needs. The suite of supports includes bespoke career development with professional editorial, practical or creative support by way of a mentor, one-to-one clinics with industry professionals and self-selected Irish Writers Centre courses. Evolution Writers participate in a monthly knowledge-sharing peer support forum, where they share their knowledge with each other and form invaluable connections and community with each other.

While we have provided a range of opportunities in teaching, mentoring, training and taking part in events for published writers in the past, this programme aims to ease the difficult journey of published writers who have one or two books under their belt, and nourish them in their articulated needs at a crucial stage of their careers. The Evolution Programme aspires to assist them to sustain themselves (and each other) as practising artists, and to grow professionally and creatively.

In this Programme, we partner with the School of English and Creative Arts in NUI Galway who kindly offer a teaching residency to three Evolution Writers to teach on the Creative Writing undergraduate course as part of a paid internship and under the mentorship of Dr. John Kenny, director of the BA in English and Creative Writing.

We acknowledge and thank the Arts Council of Ireland as a key funder who offers us core support for the delivery of all of our programmes.

*This unique opportunity was co-created with Irish Writers Centre Ambassador Mike McCormack and Dr. John Kenny, Director of the BA in English and Creative Writing at University of Galway.

Past Evolution Writers

Evolution Programme 2024/2025 

Francesca Bratton, Alicia Byrne Keane, Amy Clarkin, Patrick Holloway, Marianne Lee, Tim MacGabhann, Emma McKervey, Roisín O’Donnell, Catriona Shine, Milena Williamson

Evolution Programme 2023/2024 

Aoife Barry, Paul Carroll, Mia Döring, Ana Kinsella, Marianne McShane, Juliette Saumande, Molly Twomey, Aimée Walsh, Tríona Walsh and Gwen Wilkinson.

Evolution Programme 2022/2023 

Stephanie Conn, Rachel Coventry, Aingeala Flannery, Amanda Geard, Alice Kinsella, Christopher Linforth, Hilary McCollum, Debbie McCune, Fiona Sherlock and Megan Wynne.

Evolution Programme 2021/2022 

Sheila Armstrong, Helen Blackhurst, Deirdre Cartmill, Kevin Curran, Sue Divin, Arnold Thomas Fanning, Olivia Fitzsimons, Michelle Gallen, Maeve Galvin, Máire T. Robinson, Melatu-Uche Okorie and Liz Quirke.

Testimonials

“The Evolution Programme made me feel connected to other writers in my peer group, and I learned a lot from my mentors. I feel closer to getting work into places I’ve wanted to get it into. I also have a clearer sense of what publishers are after out there.” – Tim MacGabhann, EP4 Writer 

“The Evolution Programme couldn’t have come at a better time. It helped me so much in the build up to the publication of my debut novel. It was the most brilliant, encouraging experience.” – Patrick Holloway, EP4 Writer 

“I am really grateful to have been awarded a place on the Evolution Programme 2024-5. I learned from other writers across disciplines, taught creative writing to university students, and attended talks from industry professionals on topics from funding and festivals to developing your practice. Being an early-career author comes with a set of unique concerns and goals, which the programme provided for in detail.” - Alicia Byrne Keane, EP4 Writer  

“The Evolution Programme was transformative for my career. Not least due to the wonderful support of my writer mentors Lucy Caldwell and Colin Barrett, who offered brilliant feedback on my second novel. Working with the Creative Writing team and students at University of Galway was fantastic too! I can’t recommend the Evolution Programme enough!” - Aimée Walsh, EP3 Writer  

“Through the evolution programme, I was able to have two wonderful experiences – teach at the University of Galway and make professional writer friends with whom great collaborations have happened.”  - Melatu-Uche Okorie, EP1 Writer