Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2025 now open

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 Throughout the month of September, the IWC welcomes unpublished (and unsigned) novelists to get their manuscript sample and synopsis in top shape for submission.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 2011, 36 Novel Fair winners have found a home for their debuts. Winners have gone on to win or be nominated for The Rooney Prize, Costa First Novel Award, Irish Book Awards, Carnegie Award, The Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award, and many others.

“If it wasn’t for Novel Fair, I wouldn’t have an agent, a publisher, a book, a window into the real life world of writers and writing.  I’m glad I didn’t know what was ahead of me at the time, I’m not sure I’d have known how to handle the wonder of it all.”

Orla Mackey, 2022 Novel Fair winner

Orla Mackey pitched her debut novel Mouthing at Novel Fair in 2022. It was at the Fair where Mackey met her literary agent Nicola Barr (The Bent Agency). Shortly after signing with her agent, Mouthing entered a multi-publisher auction which led to Mackey signing with Hamish Hamilton, a literary imprint of Penguin U.K.

Published in May 2024, Mouthing has been described by the Irish Times as ‘a bittersweet love letter to small-town Irish life over several generations.’

How to apply

• To enter the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2025, applicants are required to submit a 10,000-word extract of their novel, as well as a 300-word plot synopsis.
• The entry fee for applications is €55. Members of the Irish Writers Centre can enter for a discounted fee of €45. Thanks to the support of the Arts Council, the Irish Writers Centre provides 20 free submission places for unwaged/low income writers.
• Submissions to Novel Fair 2025 will be via Submittable and will open on Sunday 1 September and close on Monday 30 September 2024.

Full details on how to apply can be found on the Irish Writers Centre’s website.

Novel Fair 2024 (February 2024)

“It’s changed my life and catapulted me into the literary world in a way that would have taken sometime on my own. That’s if I would’ve broken in at all.” – Lauren Mackenzie pitched her debut The Couples (Hachette, 2023) at Novel Fair in 2021. It was at Novel Fair where Mackenzie met her agent Gráinne Fox.

“Taking part in the Novel Fair was a privilege and a treat: not only an opportunity to find a home for my novel, but also an invigorating two days among like-minded people for whom novels are everything.” Declan Toohey pitched his debut Perpetual Comedown (New Island, 2023) at Novel Fair in 2021. It was at Novel Fair where Toohey met his publisher New Island.

For information requests and interview enquiries please contact Jo Morton, Communications and Marketing Officer, Irish Writers Centre e: communications@irishwriterscentre.ie t: (+353 1 872 1302)

About the Irish Writers Centre:

The mission at the Irish Writers Centre is unchanged since 1991. IWC exists to ‘support a vibrant and diverse community of writers to develop their craft and thrive as a writer in the world.’ As the leading support and development organisation for writers, IWC carries out its work, online and in-person, on an all-island basis. Supporting writers at every stage of their career, from aspiring to professional, IWC offers a range of year-round courses, mentoring opportunities, residencies and bursaries, as well as competitions, webinars and free events.

President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins has been patron of the Irish Writers Centre since 2016. IWC’s ambassadors are John Banville, Anne Enright, Mike McCormack, Marian Keyes, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne. Joseph O’Connor and Ciara Ní É.

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