Submissions for Irish Pages on Seamus Heaney

The Editors of Irish Pages, Chris Agee and Cathal Ó Searcaigh, are currently assembling a special issue entitled "Heaney", in English and Irish, due out in October 2014. There will be a particular focus, of course, on poetry, memoir, reminiscence and literary essays of a non-specialist nature directly relating to the man and his work but the issue will also include outstanding writing of all creative genres, especially poems, from Ireland and overseas, in a posthumous celebration of the enduring literary imagination in general.

Submissions should be sent by the middle of May by email to editor@irishpages.org, or by post to The Editors, Irish Pages/Duillí Éireann, 129 Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 1SH.

Full details of the journal and its submission procedure can be found at www.irishpages.org.

The Pickled Body - Bull

The quarterly online poetry and art magazine, the Pickled Body is calling for submissions of poetry on the theme Bull.

We’re calling for Bull for Issue 1.3.  Send up to three of your best tothepickledbody@gmail.com .  Please include “Bull” in the subject line of your email submission.  Poems must not have been published elsewhere, and should be included in your email as an attachment (word doc/pdf file).

Deadline for submissions:  May 15, 2014. 

Baffle us with your brilliance or your bull.

Here is their website and go here for an idea of what they like.

The Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award 2014

I have entered this a few times and have been twice commended, never the bride...


The Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award for a first unpublished collection of poems in English is open to poets, born in the island of Ireland, or of Irish nationality, or long term resident in Ireland. The award is now in its 43rd year. Previous winners include Eileán Ni Chuilleanáin, Paul Durcan, Thomas McCarthy, Peter Sirr, Sinead Morrissey, Conor O’Callaghan, Celia de Freine and Joseph Woods.

The winner of this year’s award will receive €1,000.

Closing date for entries is Friday 25th July 2014.

The Award will be presented on the evening of the Friday 26th September 2014 at the opening of the Annual Patrick Kavanagh Weekend in Inniskeen.

Rules and entry form from the Patrick Kavanagh Centre, Inniskeen:

Tel. 00353(0)429378560, Fax 00353(0)429378855 E-mail: infoatpkc@eircom.net

www.patrickkavanaghcountry.com

Free Wee Library Poetry Competition 2014

Buncrana in Donegal has a fantastic project called Free Wee Library where there are gorgeous wee libraries scattered about where you can exchange books. This competition is, I think, to spread the word as well as fund raise.  I'd love to have these around my town.

Check out this link http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-23500788

Poetry Competition for adults and children - English and Irish Language Categories

Prizes will be awarded for 1st 2nd English and 1st 2nd Irish Language for each Category as follows:

• Adults:
• 1st Prize €150 + 250 copies of winning poem printed in bookmark format for distribution throughout the FWLP
• 2nd Prize €75 + 100 copies of winning poem printed in bookmark format for distribution throughout the FWLP.
• Children Over 10:
• 1st Prize €30+ 100 copies of winning poem printed in bookmark format for distribution throughout the FWLP
• 2nd Prize €15 + two book vouchers
• Children Under 10:
• 1st Prize €20 + 100 copies of winning poem printed in bookmark format for distribution throughout the FWLP
• 2nd Prize €10 + two book vouchers

The competition is open to everyone as long as the poem is the original work of the author submitting it.

 Entries must not have been previously published in any media, self published, broadcast, and/or won any competition. Both English and Irish poems are being accepted.

Entry Fee
There will be an entry fee for the adult sections of €5 (for a maximum of 3 poems) Fee made payable by cheque or postal order to Free Wee Library Project C/O The Exchange, Castle Ave, Buncrana, Co Donegal
No entry fee for children’s section.

The entrant’s name should NOT be written on the poem but should be written on a separate sheet with full contact details (name, address, telephone numbers, email address) To ensure fairness writers’ names will not be revealed to the judging panel until winners have been selected.

Poems can be on any subject with a maximum limit of 15 lines per poem. Early entries will be much appreciated.

Closing date 5pm on 30th May 2014.

The winning poets will be notified by 20th June 2014 and will be invited to read their poems at a prize- giving in The Exchange, Buncrana, Co Donegal during Feel Good Fortnight. (Date TBC)

Copyright remains with the poet, but Free Wee Library Project reserves the right to first publication or broadcast of the winning poem.

Bristol Short Story Prize

The Bristol Short Story Prize is an annual international writing competition open to all published and unpublished, UK and non-UK based writers. They publish an annual anthology of the winning stories as well as presenting cash prizes.

Closing date is midnight on 30th April. 

20 stories will be published in our 7th anthology, 
1st prize £1000, 2nd prize £700, 3rd prize £400. 17 further prizes of £100. 

Sara Davies leads the judging panel with literary agent,Rowan Lawton, and celebrated writers, Sanjida O’Connell and Nikesh Shukla.

The maximum length of submissions is 4,000 words (does not include title)

There is an entry fee of £8 for each story submitted. 

Entry can be made online or by post. Please click here for more details.

Highlands & Islands Short Story Competition

The Highlands & Islands Short Story Competition has a first prize of £400. Second and third are £50 each and there are several high commended places. All of these stories will be published on their website. The first prize also includes an offer of a writing retreat in Wales, worth almost £600.

The deadline is the 31st of July 2014.

They are looking for short stories of up to 2,500 words.

Entry Fee: £5 per story or £12 for three.

Open theme, with no link to Scotland required by either entrant or theme.
They say, “We enjoy both conventional and unusual story lines, and positively encourage the latter.”
The competition is for amateur writers.

More information is available here.

Poetry Divas at Feile na Bealtaine

The Poetry Divas are excited to be featuring down in lovely Dingle at Feile na Bealtaine this May bank holiday weekend.

Saturday 5th May 7pm
with singer Sophie Coyle 
TIG UÍ CATHÁIN, BAILE AN FHEIRTÉARAIGH
Admission: €8

Sunday 4th May – 5pm 

Along with Ann Connolly, a BBC slam poetry finalist, a grandmother, a published poet, and a rusty speaker of Irish having long ago left these shores for Scotland.The Dingle Bookshop, Green Street
Link here

Also

Thursday & Friday 1st & 2nd May

After a series of six eclectic creative writing workshops, a voluntary group of students from Transition Year in Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne will perform their work in the Youth Bus on 1st and 2nd May as part of Féile na Bealtaine.

Venue: The Youth Bus, Dingle, Co. Kerry

Friday 2nd May 5pm
A poetry reading by one of Northern Ireland's foremost contemporary poets, Michael Longley. Known for using classical allusions to cast provocative light on contemporary concerns—including Northern Ireland’s “Troubles”—Longley’s poetry is also marked by sharp observation of the natural world, deft use of technique, and deeply felt emotion.
Venue: An Díseart / Centre of Irish Spirituality and Culture, Dingle
Admission: €8


Saturday 3rd May  11am
'Dick Mack's Poetry Morning', an annual event featuring an array of inspirational and talented poets and musicians from Dingle and across the globe. Special guests this year include Chill Pill slam poets, Justin McCarthy, and Susan Kiehl.
They say "Our annual poetry morning is always bursting at the seems and oozing with talent so get yourselves in early. We host an array of inspirational and talented poets and musicians from our own hometown and across the globe. This is a morning with an atmosphere you won’t forget."
Venue: The Dick Mack Cafe, Green St, Dingle


Saturday 3rd May  1pm
A poetry reading by Gerry Stembridge.
"A highly entertaining performer in his own right, Gerry will read from his recent novel, “The Effect of Her” which is partly set in the Dingle Peninsula."
Dingle District Court
Admission: €8

Saturday 3rd May  6:30pm
A reading with Nuala Ní Dhomhnall accompanied by music from Mark Crickard.
Venue: An Lab

Saturday 3rd May  11pm
A night of slam poetry with the Chill Pill Slam Poets, made up of Simon, Deanna, and Raymond. They say "Chill Pill have long wowed Londoners with their bespoke Spoken Word nights, and now they’re going to try and conquer Dingle."

Venue: Dingle District Court, the Mall, Dingle
Admission: €8


and lots of amazing art and music. So get yourself to Kerry for a weekend of fun.

Scottish Arts Club Short Story Competition

Hurry Hurry.
During this introductory year only the first 500 entries will be accepted for the competition. All writers are therefore urged to send in their stories at the earliest opportunity.  When we get close to this number we will post an alert on the front page of the Scottish Arts Club web site www.scottishartsclub.co.uk .
You are therefore encouraged to send in your entries well before the deadline.

Chief Judge: Alexander McCall Smith

First Prize of £300
Presented during the Scottish Arts Club Annual Garden Party
Saturday 16 August 2014 
Travel and accommodation during the Edinburgh Festival

To enable the winner to attend the award ceremony, the Scottish Arts Club will provide travel for 2 people from any UK location to Edinburgh and accommodation for 2 nights for 2 people sharing on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 August. This will allow the winner some free time to enjoy the Edinburgh Festival.

Publication of the winning story in the Scottish Arts Club Magazine
Signed copies of a novel by Alexander McCall Smith awarded to writers of the top ten stories
Top ten stories will be placed on the Scottish Arts Club website.

The Scottish Arts Club, located in Rutland Square, Edinburgh is delighted to announce our first Short Story Competition with celebrated author Alexander McCall Smith as the chief judge. Those familiar with McCall Smith’s work will know that the historic Scottish Arts Club, located in Rutland Square, has featured several of his popular novels.

Stories entered for the competition do not have to be associated with Scotland. The stories must not have been previously broadcast on radio, read aloud as part of a commercial performance or published in any format including on a web site that is open to the public. Previously published and unpublished authors may submit entries.
All entrants should be over 16 years and submit stories in Microsoft WORD via email.

1,500 words (stories over the word limit will be disqualified)
Every story entered carries a £10 fee
Link here

22nd National Student Poetry Competition 2014

 

 

Better hurry if you are a student and have and entry for this competition.

Deadline: Friday 18th April 14

Windows Publications in association with Cavan Crystal present the 22nd National Student Poetry Competition 2014.

Judges Heather Brett and Noel Monahan.

€100 1st Prize in each category
With several runner-up prizes and over 50 highly commended certificates.

Entry to the competition is free and no entry form is needed. Entrant details (name, age, school and contact number) must be clearly marked on the back of each entry if posting work or at the end of the work if sending by email.

Poems must not have been published or won a prize in any other competition, and must be the student's own work.

Email entries, please send to: heatherbrett22@gmail.com
By post to: Windows/Cavan Crystal Poetry Competition, Cavan Crystal Hotel, Dublin Road, Cavan, Co. Cavan on or before Friday 18th April 2014.

Wigtown Poetry Competition

Scotland’s international poetry prize in association with The Scottish Poetry Library

The 2014 Wigtown Poetry Competition is now open for entries.  You can enter online, or download this year's application form (.pdf).
Deadline for entries is 30th May 2014

Established in 2005, the Wigtown Poetry Competition offers a first prize of £2,000.
Entry is open to writers from the UK and abroad writing in English, while there are also dedicated categories for Scots Language and Gaelic.

This year’s judges are W.N. Herbert (Main Prize), Anne Lorne Gillies(Gaelic) and John Manson (Scots).

The competition event, which will include the announcement of the winners, readings of the victorious poems and contributions from the judges will take place during Wigtown Book Festival (26 September to 5 October 2014).

Entry Fees: £6.50 for first poem
Multiple entries: the first three poems cost a total of £17.00.
Each subsequent entry after the first three costs £5 or a total of £12 for every additional block of 3,
ie: 1 poem £6.50; 2 poems £13; 3 poems £17; 4 poems £22; 5 poems £27; 6 poems £29; 7 poems £34; etc

Full Competition information and rules can be found on the Wigtown Book Festival Website

Doghouse Books Swan Song

The publisher, Doghouse Books, is closing down after ten years and forty nine books. There is an evening of poetry and song to celebrate the contribution its editor, Noel King has made.

The event takes place on Friday 11 April 2014 at 7.30pm in the The Central Hotel, Exchequer Street, Dublin 2.

All are welcome.

Doghouse will continue to service its published writers until 30 June 2015. Until then, any volume still in print may be ordered through their website. You can get any number of copies postage free for the price of €12 to anywhere in the world.

Legends/Changing Times Literary Competition

Literary Competition

Theme: Legends/Changing Times.

The overall theme of the June Fest is ‘Legends’. This theme and/or  ‘Changing Times’ can be interpreted in any way you want, just so long as your prose/poetry has some connection to the theme.

Length: Prose(fiction, essay, memoir) up to 750 words, poetry up to 40 lines.

Closing date: Friday 2nd May

5 euro entry fee to cover costs. Cheques payable to: Junefest Newbridge

Entries can be posted or dropped in to Newbridge Library.  All entries must be type written. Include a separate sheet with your name and contact details and the name of your story/ poem. The pieces will be judged anonymously so please do not put your name on the entry itself.  Please clearly mark the envelope Junefest Literary Miscellany.

Prizes: 1^st  50, 2^nd book vouchers for 30, 3^rd  book vouchers for 20 and the opportunity to read your entry at the Literary miscellany event. 

3 highly commended entries will also have an opportunity to read at the event.

Prize winners will be announced at the Literary Miscellany event on Tuesday 2^nd June. Entries will be judged by Kildare writer Martin Malone, who will also read at the event.

 

Arts Office & Public Library Service  

Call for Writer in Residence  

June 2014 - May 2015

  

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council invites applications for a writer in residence for the period June 2014 to May 2015. The writer in residence is a partnership between the Library Service and the Arts Office of the County Council, grant-aided by the Arts Council. 

  

The residency seeks to support writers in all genres. The residency is envisaged as a part-time position 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 both the refurbished Blackrock Library and the new Central Library and Cultural Centre (CLCC) in Dún Laoghaire, due to open later in 2014

  

Closing date: 12 noon on Wednesday 30 April 2014

  

Full details: http://www.dlrcoco.ie/library/news/2014/writer_in_residence_brief.pdf

Gladstone Library residence

Writer in Residence? This sounds wonderful.

Gladstone Library are looking for a Writer in Residence. A full month's residency in wonderful creative surroundings offered in return for two blogs, one day-long workshop, and an event at which you'll discuss your writing life.

Submit a one page CV/blog and a copy of your latest book.

More info online. Deadline: 30 Jun