Novel Fair

2023 marks 11 years of Novel Fair. Described by The Irish Times as a 'Dragon's Den for writers', the Novel Fair is an Irish Writers Centre initiative which aims to introduce up-and-coming writers to top publishers and literary agents.

Novel Fair 2023

Winners of the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2023 will be contacted on Friday 2 December 2022. This year, our online submissions system has allowed aspiring novelists from all over the world can submit to us for the opportunity to be fast-tracked into the Irish & UK Publishing world.

Finding Success through the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair

Former winners Michelle Gallen and Caitriona Lally discuss their journeys to publishing through Novel Fair

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Novel Fair 2023 Launch

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Success Stories

Over the past few years a range of publishers and agents have attended the Fair including Penguin Random House Ireland, Hachette Ireland, Transworld Ireland, Curtis Brown, New Island Books, O’Brien Press/Brandon, Lilliput Press, Tramp Press, The Book Bureau, John Murray, Tinder Press, Marianne Gunn O’Connor Literary Agency, Jonathan Williams Literary Agency, Lisa Richards Agency, Feldstein Agency and Author Rights Agency as well as New York based agent Regal Hoffmann & Associates.

There have been a huge number of success stories since the Novel Fair has been established, including:
  • Guard Your Heart by Sue Divin (MacMillan Children’s Books)
  • Words to Shape my Name by Laura McKenna (New Island)
  • Big Girl, Small Town by Michelle Gallen (John Murray)
  • Janet E. Cameron’s novel Cinnamon Toast (Hachette)
  • Niamh Boyce’s novel The Herbalist (Penguin Ireland) which was longlisted for IMPAC 2015
  • Beatsploitation by Kevin Curran (Liberties Press)
  • Here In No Place by Alan Timmons (New Island)
  • The Reluctant Cannibal by Ian Flitcroft (Legend Press)
  • Daniel Seery’s novel A Model Partner (Liberties Press)
  • Susan Lanigan’s White Feathers (Brandon Press)
  • Eggshells by Caitriona Lally (Liberties Press) which won the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature 2018
  • Andrea Carter’s novel Death at Whitewater Church (Constable & Robinson)
  • Swimming on Dry Land by Helen Blackhurst (Seren)
  • Eat the Moon by Breda Joy (Poolbeg Press)
  • The Middle Place by Kealan Ryan (Mercier Press)
  • OONA by Alice Lyons (Lilliput Press)
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One-to-One Mentoring

The Irish Writers Centre has developed a panel of Professional Members who are published and experienced authors or industry professionals acting as mentors to help you make your writing as good as it can be.

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