Climate Writing Session with Alice Kinsella and Isabelle Kenyon

Join us for the August Irish Writers Centre Climate Writing Session. This month, our host Alice Kinsella will be joined by the founder of the award-winning independent publisher Fly on the Wall Press, Isabelle Kenyon. Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking session exploring how fiction and poetry can confront the climate crisis, engage readers emotionally, and help shape a better future. There is no fee to attend; these sessions are a gift to writers to take away and use with the goal of exploring climate action through their creative writing.

What are Climate Writing Sessions?

Each session lasts one and a half hours and can consist of the following:

• Interview guest author – literary fiction, non-fiction, poetry, speculative fiction, essay, etc.
• Interview guest NGO, politician, policy maker, or scientist involved in conservation, climate justice, ecology, politics, industry, law, agriculture, finance etc.
• Guest publishers and editors
• Discussions
• Writing exercises

Who is it for?

• Anyone with an interest in exploring climate action in their work
• Anyone interested in writing fiction (all genres), non-fiction, poetry, memoir, creative non-fiction. You do NOT have to change the genre you write in, you can simply embed some positive climate solutions into your writing
• You can be at any stage of your writing career, from beginner to published
• Those with a background in climate change, or newcomers who want to know more
• Book lovers

Description

Through readings, discussion, and a creative writing challenge, this event dives into the world of Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi) and Ecopoetry – genres where science meets storytelling, and where art becomes activism. Discover how Fly on the Wall Press (@flyonthewallpress | www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk) has been pioneering these forms since 2019 with the powerful anthology Planet in Peril, and how FOTW authors are crafting narratives of environmental urgency that still leave room for wonder, humour, and hope.

There will be readings from:

• Planet in Peril (anthology)
• I Wanted to be Close to You by Katie Oliver (short stories)
• The Water That May Come by Amy Lilwall (novel)

Throughout, Isabelle will provide tips on how to write climate fiction, asking the question: can fiction avoid dystopian clichés while being realistic?

Host and Guests

• Alice Kinsella
• Isabelle Kenyon

Biographies below.

Alice Kinsella is a writer from Mayo. Her prose debut Milk: on motherhood and madness (Picador, 2023) was published to critical acclaim. She co-edited Empty House: poetry and prose on the climate crisis (Doire Press, 2021), and co-authored Wake of the Whale (Mayo Books, 2024) which was a Sunday Independent Book of the Year. Kinsella has received multiple bursaries and residencies, including the Arts Council of Ireland Next Generation Award. She is a founding member of Caomhnú Creative, a collective of artists and producers working in heritage and environmental conservation. Caomhnú Creative is a Druid Theatre FUEL programme resident for 2025. Her debut full-length poetry collection The Ethics of Cats (Broken Sleep) is forthcoming in June 2025.

Isabelle Kenyon is the Managing Director of Manchester publishing house Fly on the Wall Press, and was named a Future Leader by the Bookseller in 2024. Founded in 2018, she has led Fly on the Wall Press to win Small Press of the Year at the British Book Awards 2024 (North), achieving finalist status five times in the years 2021-2025. She is the MA Module Leader for ‘Publishing in the 21st Century’ at Arts University Bournemouth, and the author of psychological thriller The Dark Within Them, poetry collections including Growing Pains (Indigo Dreams) and one short story with Wild Pressed Books (‘The Town Talks’). She has had work published internationally in journals such as Ink, Sweat and Tears and newspapers such as The Somerville Times and The Bookseller. She previously coordinated the Northern Fiction Alliance and runs PR campaigns for writers and publishers under Kenyon Author Services (www.kenyonauthorservices.co.uk).

Quotes from past attendees:

“I learned a tremendous amount about what can work and what not to do when writing about this topic. This was a very enjoyable, instructive evening. A few hours very well spent.”

“Its a great monthly way for me to stay thinking and writing about these topics. Kerri and Lynn before her are excellent hosts.”

“This was a brilliant time drawing my heart to engage people young or old with stories with positive solutions. Really encourage to use both climate change knowledge in a practical way. Loved every minute of good wholesome advice.”

This event is part of a series of online webinars made possible by

Dublin City Council and Dublin UNESCO City of Literature

The Irish Writers Centre is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland