Writing the Historical Novel workshop

Dublin Festival of History

Friday 26th September at 10.15am

Course fee €25.

Places are very limited – book now.

Here’s what historical fiction isn’t: a costume drama, a shop window for archaic customs, or a platform for the sort of “thee” and “thou” language which has fallen into disuse. 

Here’s what historical fiction is: a story set in the past and brought to life in the present, with themes and dilemmas with resonance today. 

At its core, historical fiction is a compelling story in which plot and character are more important than setting. Yet the setting can enhance a reader’s enjoyment of the novel.

Author and journalist Martina Devlin will give a two-and-a-half-hour workshop investigating how and why a historical novel can and must become a story in its own right – without sacrificing accuracy.

Award-winning writer Martina Devlin, whose prizes include the VS Pritchett Prize, has written two historical novels: Ship of Dreams about the Titanic disaster, and her latest novel The House Where It Happened about the last conviction for witchcraft in Ireland.

VENUE: Dublin City Library and Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2

More on the festival here

Allingham Poetry and Flash Fiction Competition

Deadline: Tuesday, 30 September 2014

The Allingham Flash Fiction Competition will be judged by Donal Ryan, the Allingham Poetry Competition by Monica Corish.

The prize in each category is €250. 
The winners and runners up will be invited to read their work at the Allingham Festival on Saturday, 8 November 2014.

You may submit up to 5 poems, maximum 40 lines per poem; and up to 5 flash fictions, maximum 700 words each. Entries (whether emailed attachment or hardcopy) must not have any identifying name on them.

The entry fee for both competitions is €4 for 1 entry, €10 for 3 entries, €15 for 5 entries. Entries can be submitted by email or by post. Poems and flash fictions must be submitted separately.

Full competition details can be found on the website.

Poetry Divas at Electric Picnic

The Poetry Divas are madly excited to be reading at Electric Picnic this year. We will be in Mindfield on the Sunday afternoon. You could spend the whole weekend in Mindfield, there's so much there for all the senses. But there's music too. And Art. And Comedy. And fabulous food. So we will venture out.

The Legend that is Marty Mulligan from Mullingar curates The Word Stage which is where you will find a plethora of spoken word and music from all over. So come and see us some time after 2.30pm. We have a cracking set which will surprise and entertain.

They say:

as ever, the MindField arena will return to Stradbally once again. Expect the usual mix of talks, theatre, poetry, literature, science displays and good eats.
The overriding theme of the 2014 edition, however, will be Africa: The Rising Continent.
At its centrepiece will be Fergal Keane Talks Africa, hosted by the BBC journalist and noted author, along with Ugandan publisher Andrew Mwenda and an eclectic panel.
David McWilliams will host his Leviathan debates, this time focusing on the threat to human rights defenders in Africa.
New additions come in the form of CoderDojo – the open source movement of free computer coding clubs for young people – and former 10cc man Kevin Godley, who will be demonstrating his WholeWorldBand App.
Add in Brunch with Miriam O'Callaghan, energetic five minute Ignite talks on the Science Gallery Stage and much, much more and you have a vibrant MindField that is going to be very easy to get lost in.

The Word Stage, hosted by the inimitable Marty Mulligan from Mullingar features a wealth of poetry, slam and musical talent including: Canadian poet and rapper, C R Avery, The Brownbread Mixtape, Dublin’s Underground Beat, Cúirt Literary Festival Showcase, The Monday Echo, Milk and Cookies, The Whitehouse Poets, Lingo Spoken Word Festival Showcase, Storymap, Come Here to me, Olaf Tyaransen, The Mary Coughlan Band, Ka Tet, Ska’s Good Gravy, Cronin, Mojo Gogo, Sinead White, Festival Favourites - The Poetry Divas, David Donoghue and Clive Barnes as well as many others.

IV edition of international award for "Museum of Words" microfiction

The César Egido Serrano Foundation and the Spanish ‘Museum of Words’ ‘microfiction’ competition has a first prize of $20,000. For a 100 word story, that's ...that's $200 per word.

Open to international writers, entries can be submitted in English, Spanish, Arabic or Hebrew.
Entries must be sent exclusively by filling in the entry form that can be found on the website www.museodelapalabra.com.

All stories entered must be original, unpublished in all means (paper, electronic publications, network…) and have not been awarded in any other contest. Check out the website for the full details.

As one of the objectives of the organising César Egido Serrano Foundation is the value of the word and dialogue as a tool for uniting peoples, so the slogan of this contest is Mandela: Words and Concord. However the rules state that your story can be on any subject.

The three remaining finalist stories in the remaining language categories will receive a $2000 runner up prize each.

Deadline: November 23^rd 2014.

Last year there were 22.571 entries received from 119 countries. You can read the winners here

Writers And Artists Short Story Competition

There aren't very many free competitions so I thought I'd mention this one, from the publishers of the Writers and Artists Yearbook, that bible of publishing, at least before the internet existed. I wonder if sales are down?

• a cash prize of £500

• a place on an Arvon residential writing course of your choice

• publication of your story on www.writersandartists.co.uk

All you have to do is enter a short story (for adults) of no more than 2,000 words, on the theme of 'Joy' and email it to competition@bloomsbury.com with "WAYB15 competition" as the subject line.

The closing date is midnight on Sunday 15th February 2015. The winners of the competition will be announced on this site in March 2015.

No purchase necessary, but entrants must be registered on www.writersandartists.co.uk.

Link here

Five Glens Arts Festival

There's a lot going on in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim. this weekend 22-24th August

Stone Carving Workshop by Jackie McKenna
Fri - Sun 10am-5pm
For info, charge & booking contact: info@ leitrimsculpturecentre.ie
The Leitrim Sculpture Centre, New Line

Summer Exhibition by The Ballagh Centre Art Class
Fri 9-5pm & Sat 12-5pm
Mixed media artwork exhibition accompanied by
photographic work by Joel Smith

Opening Open Mic
Hosted by The Mullies Crowd
Fri 7-10pm/ FREE
All welcome to perform and sing along :-)
The Market Square, Main St.

The Hermit Collective
Saturday 1-3pm/ FREE
Art, music and spoken word with great food and drinks.
An Cafe Bia Sláinte, Main St.

Ekphrastic Workshop by Monica Corish
Sat 10am-12pm/ €7
Creative writing inspired by artwork.
The Leitrim Sculpture Centre, New Line

Children’s Print Workshop by Fiona McCarthy
Sat 10:30am,1pm & 4pm/ FREE
Materials provided, bring an apron! Ages 6-10. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Each workshop 45 mins. Booking advised 0894320987 / fiona@mabelandarnt.com
Digital Media Studio, LSC Sheehans, Main St.

Outdoor Painting Workshop by Maria Bagnoli
Sat 11am-4pm/ €5
Please bring your own materials. Critique afterwards. Meet at Bee Park Community Centre

Inaugural Dermot Healy Poetry Prize giving & Readings
Sat 4pm/ FREE
Award giving ceremony for 1st prize and two commended prizes. Presentation by Helen Healy.
Readings from shortlisted and invited poets.
The Glens Centre, New Line

North West Open Exhibition Awards Ceremony Sat 3pm
Exhibition open Fri-Sun, 11am-4pm/ FREE
Group exhibition showcasing work from artists based in the North West of Ireland.
The Leitrim Sculpture Centre, New Line.

Poetiquette
Sat 8:30-11pm
€8 in advance / €10 at the door
A night of original poetry and music hosted by Stephen Murphy featuring John D. Kelly, Cormac
Lally, Gabriel Kelly, Phoebe Dick and Mick Blake. With special guest Rira.
The Glens Centre, New Line

The Pig Executives, Hog Roast & Traditional Music Session
Sat 5:30-8pm
Readings from ‘The Shakings of the Bag’ by local creative writing group with trad music and a hog roast on a spit (€5 per plate).
The Market Square, Main St.

Jimmy Joe & Friends
Sat 9pm ‘til late
Music by Jimmy Joe Dolan with special guests.
Heraghty’s Traditional Pub, Main St.

BENBOPHILIA by Rachel Webb
continues Sat & Sun 12-6pm/ FREE
Photography Exhibition
The Parlour @ McKenna’s, Main St.

Breath by Rob Ireson
Transcend the everyday in an altered reality; Inflatable interventions at surprise locations.

Étáin
Sat 4pm/ FREE
Music by Leitrim singer/songwriter.
The Market Square, Main St.

3D Tree - Street Art by Grainne McGarty

Sand Casting Workshop by Jim Fee
Sat 11am-2pm/ FREE
Plaster casting in sand
McKenna’s, Main St.

Children’s Puppetry Workshop by Eileen O’Toole
Sat 11am-2pm
Each workshop lasts 25 mins. Participate €2/ FREE to watch
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Market Square, Main St

Like A Marble Rolled by Phoebe Dick
Sunday 3-4.30pm
A story told in rhyme with projected hand drawn illustrations.
An Cafe Bia Sláinte, Main St.


www.fiveglensartsfestival.com

Louth Arts Grants

If you're in or from Louth you can apply for an arts grant.

Deadline: 4pm Thursday 25th September 

Link here

Louth Local Authorities operate a number of funding opportunities for individuals and organisations involved in the arts.

To apply, download the relevant PDF below, fill out the form, if applicable, and return by post or by hand to The Arts Office, Dundalk Town Council, Town Hall, Crowe Street Dundalk , Co. Louth.

Please make sure the following is included -

• For organisations, the name, address and contact number of the Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.
• All other sources of funding, such as voluntary contributions, grants, etc.
• Charitible Status Number / Tax Reference Number, if any.

Awards

• Check List in English: please read before submitting your application
• Scheme for supporting the Arts under the Arts Act 2003
• The Tyrone Guthrie Centre Regional Bursary 2014 
• Drama League of Ireland Summer School 2014 
• School Music Instrument Purchase Scheme 2014 
• Young Music Award 2014 
• Classical Music Scholarships 2014