Third Annual Metro Éireann Intercultural Writing Competition

Metro Éireann, in collaboration with Duke University’s Kenan Institute of Ethics, invites young writers living in Ireland to submit original works of writing to its third annual intercultural writing competition.

Writers between the ages of 14 and 21 – immigrants and non-immigrants – are encouraged to enter submissions that explore the ethical challenges associated with intercultural diversity in Ireland. There is no submission fee.

Prizes. €3200 will be awarded in three categories during a ceremony on August 4, 2017. There will be: 
- An ages 14-17 winner (€800) and runner-up (€400)
- An ages 18-21 winner (€800) and runner-up (€400)
- An ages 14-21 Spirit of Intercultural Ethics winner (€800)

Winning entries may also be published in Metro Éireann.

Deadline: July 30, 2017, 

All submissions must be previously unpublished. Submissions may take one of three forms: 
- A short story (2,000 words maximum)
- A novel extract (2,000 words maximum)
- A selection of poetry (5 poems maximum)

Submissions must be typed using 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, and sent to info@metroeireann.com with the entrant’s full name and the word ‘Submissions’ in the subject line. Submissions should also include a cover page that provides the entrant’s personal information (name, age, address, telephone number) and details about their work (age category, title).

Judges will determine winners according to the following list of criteria:
- Engagement with themes of ethics and intercultural diversity
- Creativity and originality
- Organization and structure
- Impact on the reader
- Initiative of beginning writers

Crime writing festival - Dead in Dun Laoghaire

The inaugural crime writing festival Dead in Dun Laoghaire will take place over one day on Saturday 22nd July at The Pavilion Theatre Dun Laoghaire.

Following her runaway global success with The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins will be discussing her new bestselling follow-up novel, Into the Water. 

 

International bestseller, world class forensic anthropologist and the inspiration behind the hit TV series Bones, Kathy Reichs will be launching her brand new standalone thriller, Two Nights, featuring a smart, tough, talented heroine whose thirst for justice stems from her own dark past.

 

Fans of Irish authors won’t be disappointed with prize-winners John Banville and Stuart Neville discussing their new crime novels Prague Nights and Here and Gone; and what it’s like to write under the pen names Benjamin Black and Haylen Beck. Another pair of prize-winners, bestsellers and book club favourites, Liz Nugent and Karen Perry will be discussing their latest books along with the challenges of getting inside the head of a psychopath and exploring the dark worlds to which their novels take them.

 

Tickets and full details for each event are available from the Pavilion Theatre box office and website: http://www.paviliontheatre.ie/events/category/literary

Mentorship for Muster-resident poets

Applications are invited from Munster-resident poets (with at least one collection published and no more than two) who would like to be mentored by Matthew Sweeney while working towards their next collection. The successful candidate will meet the Matthew for six sessions. The first five two-hour sessions will be devoted to assessing batches of poems building towards your next book. The sixth session will be devoted to the overall shape of your manuscript. Mentoring sessions can take place at the Munster Literature Centre or at a location mutually agreeable to the Mentor & Mentee.  Submit 10 poems from your manuscript in progress, a literary CV and a note outlining how you believe you can benefit from this opportunity.
This mentorship is made possible through funding by Words Ireland.

No deadline mentioned

Link here

Call for dlr Writer in Residence

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council invites applications for a writer in residence for the period June 2017 to May 2018.  This writer in residence is managed by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Arts Office and is grant-aided by the Arts Council.


The residency is open to writers working in script-writing in any form (e.g. writing for stage, TV or film).  The theme this year is Ireland: The Future. The writer’s work may draw inspiration from this theme in a variety of ways.  The residency is envisaged as a part-time residency which will allow time for the writer’s own work in addition to engagement and interaction with both the general public and, more specifically, with those with an interest in writing themselves.


The writer in residence will focus on working in the dlr LexIcon in Dún Laoghaire and the writer in residence will have access to a room on the top floor of the new Central Library and Cultural Centre.
Applicants must live in, work in, be originally from or have studied a relevant discipline in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.


More information and full details of how to apply go to http://www.dlrcoco.ie/en/arts/funding-opportunities/residencies/writer-residence


Closing Date: 13^th of April at 12 noon

Anam Cara Workshops

Beautifully set on the Beara penisula, Anam Cara is a special place to visit to retreat to write or to take one of these interesting sounding workshops.

29 April through 5 May:  "When I Write, I Find a Way to Become Wise About Myself," a Proprioceptive Writing Workshop led by Ginny Keegan

20 through 26 May: "Painting The Beautiful Beara Peninsula of Ireland" a Watercolour Workshop led by Evenlyn Dunphy

10 through 16 June: "The Mythic Imagination Creative Writing Workshop" led by Adam Wyeth

5 through 11 August: "Lining Our Thoughts," a Poetry Workshop led by Leanne O'Sullivan

19 through 25 August: "Explore Your Musical Self: A Creative Approach to Songwriting" led by Caz Jeffreys

2 through 8 September: "The Art of Seeing: Mindfulness in Photography," a Photography Workshop led by Katja Liedle

9 through 15 September: "The Art of the Short Story -- In Its Many Guises" a Short Fiction Writing Workshop led by Vanessa Gebbie

28 October through 3 November: "A Celtic Retreat at Samhain -- The Celtic New Year" led by Mary Meighan , Step into the mystical imagination of the Celtic Wisdom Tradition through Celtic Gatherings and guided retreat time and visits to some of the sacred sites on the magnificent Beara Peninsula.

For more information about each of the workshops as well as availability for individual retreats during the rest of the year, please contact Sue at anamcararetreat@gmail.com

The Moth Retreat

There are new retreats popping up all over for writers and artists, each with their own ethos. This one is from the lovely people who run the Moth Magazine.


The barn features a large studio/living area and kitchen/breakfast room downstairs, and a bedroom and bathroom upstairs.

Fresh eggs are provided every morning, and fresh vegetables (when in season), in warm, inviting accommodation that is in keeping with The Moth aesthetic, and where a keen eye has been kept on William Morris’s golden rule: ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.’

There is an easel in the studio downstairs, and a writing desk upstairs, and a bicycle is provided (though the publishers of The Moth, Rebecca O’Connor and Will Govan, will be on hand should you need to purchase groceries or a lift to Cavan Town).

The Moth retreat is situated along a beautiful country lane in Ireland (3 kilometres from the local village of Milltown and 19 kilometres from Cavan Town) and surrounded by some of the county’s famed 365 lakes. Just a few kilometres away is Drumlane Abbey, founded by Saint Colmcille in the sixth century. The county also hosts the source of the River Shannon and has its own Burren, with numerous geological sites recognised by UNESCO.   

How to apply:
Accommodation is €300 a week and is self-catered. A minimum stay of 1 week is required, and a maximum stay of 2 weeks. The accommodation is specifically for artists and writers.

Link here

Space to Write

There are residencies and retreats for writing and other artistic spaces popping up all over the place. Each has its own ethos and feel. Here's one in a restored Victorian villa historically named ‘Glenhassan Hall’ facing Northern Ireland’s Downhill beach, Coleraine, Co Derry. It has a draw for a free stay at the end of January.

Space to Write 2017 is now taking bookings.

When?
From Friday the 27th of Jan - Feb 5th.  It's 2 weekends plus the week in between.  

These dates are set aside for writers to have 'Space to Write' at a very low rate ( less than half normal price per room) The minimum booking is 3 nights, price is £22 per single room per night. We provide a beautiful space, a real fire, and endless tea and coffee. You bring yourself and the project you are are working on and food/drink for self-catering. There is no requirement to meet with the other participants or share what you are working on, however this tends to happen naturally. There is a gentle and supportive atmosphere and you will meet wonderful encouraging people.

The FB event is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1605503423090390/  Join it to be entered into the draw for a free stay!  

To reserve a space email McCall with your preferred dates at info@downhillbeachhouse.com or send a PM. 

Downhill Beachhouse

'Irish Beach Retreat'
www.downhillbeachhouse.com
T:  +44 (028) 7084 9077

Irish Writers Centre courses

If putting pen to paper is more your style, we are holding a Publishing Day with the University of Limerick where writers of all genres and forms can learn how to be published.

Hone your writing skills with some courses from the IWC autumn programme.

Making the Murderer:  If writing crime is your passion then lock yourself in with Louise Phillips and learn how to develop a thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat using tension and effective dialogue. Starts: Thurs 29 Sept (10 weeks) Screenwriting: Dreaming of writing for the silver screen? Discover the ins and outs of screenwriting with Mark O'Connor including master plots, the logline and scene breakdowns. Starts: Mon 3 Oct (8 weeks) Confessional Writing: Listen as Róisín Agnew tells all in this exploration of confessional writing and its various forms.  Starts: Sat 8 Oct (one day) Feature Writing: Transform your writing abilities as the basics of feature writing is explored in this 6 week course, including sourcing ideas and tailoring your writing to different publications. Starts: Wed 26 Oct (6 weeks)

New writing courses

There's a new term on the horizon and the whiff of back to school is in the air. It's always worth checking out what's going on in your local community school or library. Or check at your library.

The Irish Writers' Centre always has an innovative catalogue that covers a wide range. And there's the Big Smoke Writing Factory.

Recently I was told of a new course given by writer David Keane at SEDA College, Capel Street. Here's the blurb

This Creative Writing Course is for those who are ready to begin their journey of creative writing in fiction and need a little guidance. If you don’t know where to begin or don’t know what to do next then this is the course for you.

The course will focus on starting points, characters, structure, plot, theme, and point of view as well as many other aspects of writing fiction. Over the six week period participants will be encouraged to develop their writing skills based on coursework.

This course is for adults only and is facilitated in a positive and encouraging manner. All participants will be invited to share their work. This is not compulsory but is recommend in order to gain the most benefit out of the course. A textbook will be provided for each participant- this will be a guide and reference point, as well as a good read. The course will help build your writer’s toolbox and develop your existing skills.

Classes last 90 minutes and participants are also expected to make time to write during the week.

Date: Starts 13 September 2016 @ 7pm. Runs every Tuesday for 6 consecutive weeks.

Venue: SEDA College, Capel Street, Dublin 1.
Capacity: 12 maximum.
Fee: € 75 (includes textbook).
Info & Booking: www.davidkeane.net/creative-writing-course/

David Keane is a Dublin based writer. He is currently involved in several areas of writing, including fiction, poetry, and scriptwriting. These include several scripts (stage and screen) and a novel. His short screenplay, Lacewing, was runner up at the Waterford Film Festival 2015 and his treatment for a contemporary Irish screenplay, Grand, won him a place on a script development workshop run by Working Title Films. He has been included in several writing anthologies and came runner up in the unpublished poet category in the Poetry Ireland/Trócaire Poetry Competition 2016.

University of Limerick Writer’s Fellowship

Applications are invited from Irish writers of established reputation across all genres (eg fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, drama, film) for the Arts Council/ University of Limerick Writer’s Fellowship which is co-funded by the University of Limerick and the Arts Council.

The Fellowship will be tenable either for the period January – June 2017, or, if it suits the Fellow, for the full calendar year January-December 2017, with one introductory session to be undertaken in autumn, 2016. The Creative Writing programme at UL is led by Professor Joseph O’Connor and is taught by a number of acclaimed writers, including novelists Donal Ryan, Giles Foden and Sarah Moore Fitzgerald.

The Fellow will be a part of UL’s Creative Writing community and will engage with students, staff and faculty in a number of ways. The Fellow will also have the opportunity to teach at the UL Creative Writing Summer School in New York and to develop her/his own work in a supportive environment. The stipend for the Fellowship is €20,000.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a covering letter outlining areas of interest, teaching experience (if any), ideas for engagement with UL’s Creative Writing programme, and a full CV to include the name and contact details of 3 referees to our Programme Coordinator for Creative Writing, Claire Ryan, claire.ryan@ul.ie

The closing date for applications will be no later than 12 noon on 26th August, 2016. Interviews will take place approximately one month later, at the University of Limerick.

Writing for Mslexia magazine

Mslexia is a great writing magazine committed to promoting women writers. So yes, you have to be a woman to submit.

Mslexia magazine was recently redesigned to widen the  range of submission opportunities. Whether it’s just one sentence about your life, or an entire 2,200-word short story, a rollicking rhyme to read aloud to children or a carefully-crafted villanelle, there's lots in the list below to choose from.

All submission slots are completely free to enter, and they welcome work from both published and unpublished women writers.

Here’s what we’re seeking for our December 2016 issue:

OPEN SUBMISSIONS
The following opportunities are open to all women writers, regardless of whether you subscribe to Mslexia (though subscriptions work out at just £2 per month, posting to a UK address). Except where stated, they pay (modestly) for everything they publish.

Secret fantasy
This is the next theme of the special ‘Showcase’ section – pages dedicated to stories up to 2,200 words and/or poems up to 40 lines, this time on the topic of erotic passion. Requited or unrequited, chaste or salacious, enacted or simply longed for, take a walk on the wild side of your romantic imagination. (Deadline: 5 September 2016)

Rhyme story
Many picture books for children have, at their heart, a narrative in the form of a rhyming text. Send rhyming texts of up to 200 words (preferably fewer), that tell a story to read aloud to a small child. (Deadline: 11 October 2016)

First page surgery
Please submit the title and first page of your novel (any genre, up to 300 words). Our guest industry expert will comment, in the magazine, about how it might be changed to catch an agent’s or editor’s eye. If you’re feeling shy, you’re welcome to use a pseudonym. This is an unpaid slot. (Deadline: 11 October 2016)

Confession
A memoir piece about something you were (or are now, in retrospect) deeply ashamed of (up to 300 words). (Deadline: 11 October 2016)

Pitch perfect
Send a ‘pitch’ (pithy description) for a writing project you’re planning to submit to an agent, editor or producer. The project might be a novel, memoir, biography, theatre play or screenplay, but your word limit is 100. The guest industry expert will suggest ways of making it spark the interest of the people you need to impress. If you’re feeling shy, you’re welcome to use a pseudonym. This is an unpaid slot, but the most recent pitch featured in the magazine resulted in the author finding an agent. (Deadline: 11 October 2016)

Life sentence
One sentence only, of no more than 25 words, describing an interesting (or poignant, or bizarre, or traumatic, or uplifting) event your recent writing life. There’s publication, and a credit, but no payment for these. (Deadline: 11 October 2016)

D is for…
A piece of creative non-fiction inspired by an alphabetic prompt (e.g. ‘H is for hawk’). Up to 300 words. (Deadline: 11 October 2016)

Self-publishing survivors
Do you have a tale to tell about your self-publishing experience? We want to interview people who are prepared to share their triumphs, trials and tribulations – and their advice for fellow travellers. Please send a brief outline. We will contact you directly if we decide to interview you for the magazine. (Deadline: 11 October 2016)

Hindsight
Up to 200 words, in second person, of advice to your younger self, based on your later experience of creativity and life – that might benefit fellow writers today. (Deadline: 11 October 2016)


To submit your work, visit our website and use the online form, or email submissions@mslexia.co.uk. 

West Cork Literary Festival

Have you planned any festival for the summer? I will be reading at a couple, more details later, watch this space. West Cork Literary festival didn't invite me yet (next year guys?) even with all my West Cork roots and in-laws but I'm not bitter, no. I am magnanimous.

From Sunday 17th to Saturday 23rd July, Bantry will welcome a wonderful line-up of international and Irish writers. 

Zadie Smith, John Banville, Dame Marina Warner, Michael Harding, Nick Laird, Carol Drinkwater and Louis de Bernières are just some of the high profile writers. 

This year there are readings by Caitriona Lally, Gavin McCrea, Louis de Berniéres, Theo Dorgan, Sarah Howe, Jo Shapcott, Carol Drinkwater, Aiden O'Reilly, Andrew Michael Hurley, Cónal Creedon, Afric McGlinchey, William Wall, Thomas Morris, Max Porter, Carys Davies, Paddy Bushe, Matthew Sweeney, Lia Mills, Alice Carey, Marion Coutts, Lisa McInerney, Danielle McLaughlin, Eoin McNamee, Glenn Patterson, Joanna Walsh, Mary Morrissy and many more. 

There are still some places on their workshops if you have a week.

More information can be found on their website www.westcorkliteraryfestival.ie  and booking on the website is now open. 

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Writer in residence

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Writer in residence

Deadline: 12 noon on Wednesday 27th April 2016

Access, at agreed times, to a room on the top floor of dlr LexIcon. It is a requirement of the residency that the writer spend at least 10 hours a week working in dlr LexIcon.

The residency is open to writers working in any genre (e.g. fiction, non-fiction, poetry, script-writing, etc). 
The residency this year will focus on the theme of Creativity and will have a particular emphasis on writing for 8-18 year olds.

The writer’s work may draw inspiration from this theme in a variety of ways. The residency is envisaged as a part-time residency which will allow time for the writer’s own work in addition to engagement and interaction with both the general public and, more specifically, with children and/or young people and potentially a range of schools in the county. 

Link here

Yvonne Cullen's writing courses

Details on Yvonne Cullen's writing courses are up on her blog here www.yvonnecullen.wordpress.com

Book early for discounts.

Meantime: There is a free class this Saturday morning in the National Library Cafe Joly
Saturday 23rd January 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

They are for anyone who thinks they have a writing itch to scratch and that this year might be the time to get scratching it.

Weekly Saturday classes in the same lovely cafe will follow from Jan 30, as will FROM HISTORY TO STORY writing from research course starting Feb 12.

yvonnesworkshops@gmail.com if you'd like to email to book a place in the free sessions or the (reasonably priced) paying ones

Residency for writers in the Irish Language

The Irish Writers Centre and Anam Cara Writer's & Artist's Retreat are delighted to partner together to offer two one-week residencies at the Anam Cara retreat to Irish language writers, including fully subsidised accommodation and meals. 

This is an open call to writers resident in the Republic of Ireland with a proven track record and at least one book of prose or poetry in the Irish language which has been published by a recognised publisher.

See link for how to apply

Deadline: 25 January, 2016 at 5pm

Applications go before a selection committee of the Board of the Irish Writers Centre and a nominee of Anam Cara. The successful applicant will be notified by letter no later than 8 February, 2016.

Axis Poems

I have experimented with concrete poems where the shape on the page is as important as the words. Here's a new (for me) type that sounds interesting. An Axis poem.

- Possibly for two voices.
- Centred on the page
- with the two halves echoing or chiming with each other but distinct
- Rhymes and heteronyms or homonyms can work well

See this one Derwent Water from Paul Hurt (I think)

He says

The rhymes of the two halves are 'along,' horizontal, but the grammatical sense is vertical, 'down' each of the two columns. Although the diction is plain and simple - 'milky' applied to light and to ice, for example - it's transformed by putting the words and phrases in the two halves of the poem in close proximity. The two halves obviously show strong contrasts of theme - summer and winter - but there are also subtle contrasts of syntax and punctuation, for example, 'still' in the half-line of the first voice, 'still and distant' is different, grammatically, from the 'still' in the half-line of the second voice next to it, 'still distant.'

More here 

Finding a Place: Landscapes Within and Without

Finding a Place: Landscapes Within and Without is a one day writing workshop hosted by John MacKenna. The day will focus on touring St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth and using the beautiful grounds as a muse for creating original works.

The event will take place on 21 July, and includes a full day of activities designed to inspire.

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Schedule for the Day:

10:00: Convene at the South Campus Reception
10:30: Guided Tour of Campus
11:15: Coffee/Tea Break
11:45: Writing Workshop
13:00 Lunch in Historic Pugin Hall
14:00: Individual Writing Time
15:30: Reading and Performance Cafe
17:00: Conclusion of the Day

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Tickets for the event are €30. Booking by debit or credit only.

Please click this link to book tickets. Spaces are limited.

Link here

Inishbofin and Inishturk Writing Jaunts

Start to Write courses & Guided Writing Retreats with Yvonne Cullen who has been running these island writing trips for 7 years.

INISHTURK 18-25 July
€625 fee includes tuition, one week’s accommodation and most meals.

A FURTHER INISHTURK WRITING JAUNT will run from 15-22 AUG.

and WRITING RETREAT TRIPS 5-12 & 12-19 SEPT.

For information on availability see https://yvonnecullen.wordpress.com/

TO BOOK or discuss, contact: yvonnesworkshops@gmail.com

Roscommon Writing Award

Do you have connections to Roscommon? Here’s one for you.

The NEW ROSCOMMON WRITING AWARD 2015 is organised by the Roscommon Writer-in-Residence scheme, which is funded by Roscommon County Council and The Arts Council and supported by the Roscommon Herald, the Roscommon People and by Shannonside FM.

The winner will receive a monetary prize of €500.

Deadline: Tuesday, 30 August

Competition Rules
Entries, in English, on any theme, in any literary form, will be accepted.
The competition is open to anyone over 18 with a connection with the county of Roscommon (born in, living in, currently working in, went to school in, etc).
Typed entries (handwritten entries cannot be accepted) must be no more than 500 words. Mark the number of words in your entry on the bottom of the page.
Include your name, address and contact details, plus your connection to the county. Include these on a separate page, not on your entry.

There is no entry fee - Free to enter

The competition will be adjudicated by Jessamine O Connor.

Post your entry to: NEW ROSCOMMON WRITING AWARD 2015, Roscommon Library, Roscommon Town, Ireland.
OR
email your entry to:  mmullins@roscommoncoco.ie. Title your email NEW ROSCOMMON WRITING AWARD 2015.

WORDS Ireland Mentoring Scheme - Wicklow Writers

Produced by Children’s Books Ireland,Irish Writers Centre and Poetry Ireland, developed by WORDS Ireland in partnership with Wicklow County Council Arts Office

WORDS Ireland is offering five mentorship opportunities to Wicklow writers who are seeking to engage with a mentor over a period of six months from May 2015.

This scheme is open to writers in any fiction genre: young adult and children’s books, short stories, playwriting, screenwriting, novels or poetry. The mentorships will focus on Manuscript Development in the main, but may include other aspects in the professional development of the writer.

Who is eligible to apply?

To be eligible for the scheme the applicant must have been born in or be resident in County Wicklow for the last two consecutive years. The applicant will have with a track record in a professional capacity, such as having poems or short stories published in recognised journals or magazines (print or online), or a book of fiction, or a collection of poetry or short stories published by a recognised publisher. 

Mentee contribution:  While the costs of this scheme are being funded by Wicklow Arts Office and WORDS Ireland, the successful mentee are requested to contribute €100 to help offset costs and to demonstrate seriousness of intent.

See the Irish Writers Centre website for full details. 

deadline: Friday 24th April at 5pm