Pathways to Publishing Spring 2025 

We are delighted to announce our Spring Publishing Day. Join us at the Irish Writers Centre on Saturday 29 March 2025 to hear from a panel of industry professionals on the publishing process from start to finish as well as gaining some valuable insights into this constantly changing industry. 

From the perspective of an aspiring novelist how can I prepare to submit my work to the publishing industry? What are the challenges? Do I actually need a literary agent or should I submit directly to the publishers? How does the editing and submissions process work?  

These and lots more questions and considerations will be addressed by our highly experienced panel including a publisher, an editor, a multi-award winning author and a publicity manager.  

This event is ideal for all writers interested in learning more about the publishing process. Join us for what promises to be an informative and helpful day in your writing journey. 

 TIMETABLE: 

Welcome: 10.00 – 10.30am Join us for light refreshments and an opportunity to meet each other before we get started. (Tea, coffee and biscuits included) 

10.30-11.40am: Through the prism of a publisher: A view from inside the world of publishing with Ciara Considine, Associate Publisher, Hachette Ireland. 

11.50am-1pm: Editing Your Work: Pitching to journals and polishing your work with Brendan Barrington, Editor of The Dublin Review and Editorial Director at Sandycove, an imprint of Penguin Random House. 

BREAK 1-2pm 

2.00-3.10pm A Personal Publishing Journey: Nuala O’Connor, multi award-winning writer  

3.15-4.25pm: PR and Publicity: Des Doyle, Marketing and Publicity Manager, New Island Books 

Light refreshments will be available throughout the day.   

Ciara Considine, publisher at Hachette Books Ireland, has worked in Irish publishing for over three decades. She was formative in setting up Hachette’s Irish publishing division in 2002 and, prior to that, was editorial manager at New Island Books. A publisher/editor who works closely with her authors, over the course of her career Ciara has been behind many best-selling and critically acclaimed books, across fiction and non-fiction.   

Brendan Barrington is the founder and editor of the Dublin Review, and Editorial Director at Sandycove, an imprint of Penguin Random House. 

Nuala O’Connor lives in Galway. Her sixth novel Seaborne, about Irish-born pirate Anne Bonny, was published in April 2024 by New Island; it’s shortlisted for Eason Novel of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards. Her novel NORA (New Island), about Nora Barnacle and James Joyce, was a Top 10 historical novel in the New York Times. She won Irish Short Story of the Year at the 2022 Irish Book Awards. She is EIC of flash e-journal  Splonk; founder of The Peers writing group, and a founder member of the Group 8 artist collective. www.nualaoconnor.com 

Des Doyle  joined the New Island team in January 2023 as the Marketing and Publicity Manager, following on from 4 years as a senior bookseller and events manager at Hodges Figgis bookstore in Dublin. His previous roles span marketing, event management and journalism. 

Access our Building  

The Irish Writers Centre is currently housed in 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1. This is a Georgian building which unfortunately does not have a lift. There are 5 steps into the entrance level. This event will take place in the Kiely Room which is on the first floor and requires climbing 30 steps in total.  Please do inform us of any accessibility requirements you might have before the night so we can make any necessary arrangements.  

If you have any questions about the event, please email info@irishwriterscentre.ie.