Evolution Programme 2026-2027

The Irish Writers Centre is delighted to announce the return of the Evolution Programme for 2026-2027. This free six-month programme will provide support for up to twelve published writers (with 2 published books) to advance their writing careers.

In keeping with Goal 1 of our 2022-2026 Strategy, this programme will provide support to professional writers to advance their craft and career with confidence and resilience.

About the Programme

The Evolution Programme 2026-2027 (EP6) aims to ease the difficult journey of published writers who have at least two books under their belt and need further support at a crucial stage of their careers.

This is a six-month programme where writers are offered a wide range of supports, discussions with peers and collaborations with like-minded writers.

The range of supports includes a monthly online forum, clinics with industry experts and peers, an invitation to shadow our selection panels (normally online) and a Writer in Residency position at the Seamus Heaney Centre, Queen’s University in Belfast, which will be offered to a Northern Ireland based writer. It also includes an opportunity to be on a paid teaching residency with the School of English and Creative Arts at the University of Galway. This residency will be limited to three writers, with further selection through an interview process.*

*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.

Who is it for?

Evolution is a programme for up to twelve writers who are over the age of 18 and resident on the island of Ireland.

This programme is for writers who have already published two books and who practice in the following genres and forms: fiction, creative non-fiction, children’s/Young Adult fiction and poetry.

Dedicated places:

Writers from or living in the North of Ireland: Two places are reserved for writers from or living in the North of Ireland, thanks to the support of the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

The Irish Writers Centre encourages applications from writers from backgrounds currently underrepresented in Irish literature. We particularly encourage applications from people who are D/deaf, neurodivergent & disabled, LGBTQIA+, Minority Ethnic, Black & Persons of Colour, Roma, a member of the Travelling Community, and from working class backgrounds.

We encourage writers who are writing in the Irish Language to apply. While we can’t guarantee that all of our supports are delivered as Gaeilge, some elements of the programme can be arranged in Irish.

How Does it Work?

In order to give Evolution Programme 6 (EP6) writers opportunities to upskill professionally and creatively, there are a number of supports to choose from, depending on what a writer identifies that they need at this stage of their career:

·        Monthly online forums with guest speakers, including writing peers and industry professionals (editor, publisher, marketing professional). The twelve writers will be invited to offer a 20 mins presentation, based on an area of their own expertise.

·        Shadow a selection panel: Observe the negotiation between the independent selection panel members for an Irish Writers Centre initiative, e.g. Kylemore Notre Dame, Annaghmakerrig (please note that this option is observational only and the information exchanged is strictly confidential)

·        Paid teaching residency to teach in-person on the BA in English and Creative Writing programme with University of Galway in autumn 2026. There will be ten teaching residency sessions which will take place in-person at the University of Galway between October 2026 and January 2027 (note: this option will be limited to three writers, with selection by interview)

·        Writer in Residence Seamus Heaney Centre, Belfast for one of our Northern Ireland based writers, a one/two week office/writing space in Queens University.

In addition, each writer will be supported by:

·        Two dedicated Evolution Days featuring in-person talks from industry professionals and writing peers

·        Collaboration/Knowledge-Sharing:  a supportive peer group by way of a collaborative monthly one and a half hour peer-to-peer forum.

Timeline and Format

This programme will be delivered both online and in-person. In-person sessions will take place at the Irish Writers Centre, Dublin.  

The timeline for this programme is six months from end of September 2026 to the end of March 2027. Please note that this programme is not full-time and some events are options, however, we do require EP writers to attend the monthly forums and the two in-person Evolution Days.

Key Dates

The dates of the monthly peer-to-peer meetings are as follows:

• Monday 28 September 2026, 4-5pm, online: Introductions, with Irish Writers Centre CEO & Irish Writers Centre Team
• Monday 12 October 2026, 4-5.30pm, online: Forum 1
• Saturday 7 November 2026, 10am-3pm, in-person: Evolution Day (a day of talks taking place in-person at the Irish Writers Centre on 19 Parnell Square)
• Monday 16 November 2026, 4-5.30pm, online: Forum 2
• Monday 14 December 2026, 4-5.30pm, online: Forum 3
• Monday 11 January 2027, 4-5.30pm, online: Forum 4
• Monday 15 February 2027, 4-5.30pm, online: Forum 5
• Saturday 20 March 2027, 10am-3pm, in-person: Evolution Saturday (a day of talks taking place in-person at the Irish Writers Centre on 19 Parnell Square)
• Monday 29 March 2027, 4-5.30pm, online: Forum 6

Please note that all participating writers will be asked to complete a detailed evaluation on completion of the programme so that we may continually improve on the delivery of this vital service to writers.

How to Apply

All applications must be made via Submittable.

You will be asked to submit the following:

• A letter of intent that includes:

1.        Why you would like to be on the programme.

2.        How you can contribute to skill-sharing forums with your peers on the scheme.

3.        Confirmation that you are available for the monthly online forums and the two in-person Evolution days (dates above).

• A writer’s CV  (max. two A4 pages) that includes your birth year, postal address, Postcode/Eircode and email and mobile number. Please also include publisher names and ISBNs for existing publications

Please collate the above into one single document.

• Two short samples of no more than 600 words each or 2 poems ( no more than 120 lines): one published work and one work-in-progress, ensuring that your name is not on them (these will be sent for blind readings).

This should be in a separate document.

Selection Process

We will award up to twelve places to eligible writers who will be known as EP6 writers. Selection will be made by a panel of Irish Writers Centre team members and professional writers on the basis of their letter of intent, CV and creative writing samples.

Writers will be selected according to these criteria in equal measure:

• Letter of intent
• Eligibility and track record.
• Creative samples of work.

Due to the volume of applicants we are not in a position to give individual feedback to applicants.

Application Deadline

Tuesday 30 June 2026 at 15:59pm. All applications must be made via Submittable.

No late applications will be considered.

Past Evolution Writers

Evolution Programme 2025/2026

Christina Collins, Deirdre Barragry, Eamon McGuinness, Elaine Garvey, Juliana Adelman, Leeanne O’Donnell, Orla Mackey, Pallavi Padma-Uday, Rafael Mendes, Shane Tivenan, Sharon Guard, Soula Emmanuel.

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, Gwen Wilkinson.

Evolution Programme 2022/2023

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

Testimonials

“I found the Evolution Programme to be a think-tank full of interesting writers, all at similar points in their careers. Perfect for discussing the ups and downs of the writing life. On top of that, the experience of working with the staff and students at the University of Galway was a real highlight.” Shane Tivenan. EP5 Writer

“The Irish Writers Centre Evolution Programme has been an invaluable support for my writing. The mentorship, forums, and community connections have given me confidence, insight, and inspiration that continue to shape my work. I’m truly grateful for all the guidance and opportunities it has offered.” Orla Mackey, EP5 Writer

“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

“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

About the Irish Writers Centre

Founded in 1991, the Irish Writers Centre is the national resource organisation for Irish writers, supporting writers of all types and at all stages of their careers. From its historic home at 19 Parnell Square, Dublin, the Centre delivers over 150 creative writing courses and masterclasses annually, alongside free island-wide development programmes such as the National Mentoring Programme, residencies, bursaries and more. Championing contemporary Irish literature through events, festivals and performances, the Centre plays a vital role in Ireland’s thriving literary landscape and remains a welcoming space for anyone with a story to tell.