11 literature mentoring relationships

Words Ireland is offering 11 literature mentoring relationships in 2017, six of which are offered in partnership with the Arts Offices of Leitrim, Limerick, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, and the Arts Office and Libraries of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.

Words Ireland are seeking expressions of interest from experienced and established writer-mentors working in the areas of adult fiction, children’s/YA fiction and/or poetry to undertake the mentoring of writers of promise who are working in the same forms.

We are also are also seeking writers of adult fiction, YA fiction, children’s fiction and poetry to apply for mentoring support under our National Mentoring Programme.

There are a total of 11 mentee opportunities open to writers resident in any county in Ireland, north or south of the border.

Deadline 10 July 2017.

More information here

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 Story House – ‘Writing for Young People’

The Story House – ‘Writing for Young People’ 

Mon. 20th to Sat. 25th February at Lisnavagh House, Co. Carlow

This is a unique five day taught residential course, led by two award winning writers, Sheena Wilkinson and Elizabeth Rose Murray, with midweek guest writer Patricia Ford (of Childrens Books Ireland). Limited to 12 participants – with workshops, one to one tutorials with each writer, and time and space to write. A deposit of €200 secures a place on the course – the fee of €700 is fully inclusive of all accommodation, food, workshops etc. 

Writing Changes Lives – 3 x 1 day Saturday workshops Jan. 28th, Feb. 4th & Feb. 11th in Brewery Lane Theatre

These are my own writing workshops, based on the work of Pat Schneider and ‘built on a trust in the inherent talent in people and trust in the power of writing as a process’. Anyone who has written with me I think understands how that is proven over and over as we write together in the workshops. For more background I highly recommend Pat Schneider’s book Writing Alone and With Others – it is in local libraries and in the Book Centre, Waterford. The fee for the workshops is €150. Suitable for anyone beginning, or beginning again, to write.

2017 Brewery Lane Writers’ Weekend – Fri. April 21st to Sun. April 23rd

This year in Brewery Lane we will be joined by two very talented writers and experienced teachers of writing, Lia Mills and Catherine Dunne, and already there is significant interest, just through word of mouth. The emphasis this year will be on the tools of fiction and memoir, with workshops and one to one meetings to discuss your work. There is an early bird offer of €160 if paid before Fri. 19th February, after that date the full fee of €175 will apply. Limited to 12 participants. 

For bookings and enquiries please email: thestoryhouseireland@gmail.com

Link here

3 free taster writing classes in the National Library

There will be 3 free taster classes on the following dates in January: 

SATURDAY a.m. January 14 and 21, and Sat p.m. on January 21. 

Both A.M. sessions will run in the lovely Cafe Joly at the National Library, Kildare Street and start at 11.00 a.m. 
P.M session will start at 2 p.m. on 21/1 in the bar of Buswells' Hotel. Molesworth Street. JOIN US opportunity now exists for 

ADVANCED workshops on Tues, Weds and Thursday nights, for 10,10 and 6 workshop meetings respectively. Friday night 

START TO WRITE in Glasthule is also accepting 2 joiners from Jan 13th. 

New term of Saturday morning classes at the NLI from JANUARY 28th. 

Contact Yvonne Cullen at 086 1701418 or at yvonnesworkshops@gmail.com to book or enquire.

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)

Kildare Readers Festival 2016

I'll be teaching a poetry workshop as part of the Kildare Readers Festival this Saturday October 1st at 2.30pm in Maynooth Library.



It's free. Please sign up if you like to come along. It should be fun. 

“Poetry's oldest duty is preservation. The life we live eludes us as we live it, and when we are old we cannot credit what we have lost -- measured by the fragments that we keep…Because our civilization loves speed, change, loss, and forgetfulness, a poet's obligation is also a poet's opportunity -- to hold and keep, to make a stillness despite noise -- to praise, to celebrate, and to enact endurance. - Donald Hall”

This workshop is for anyone who would like to begin to write poetry or for those who already have some memories captured on paper. It will be a safe, supporting environment so you can leave with the draft of at least one piece of writing with energy and confidence.

Note: Bookings for this event through Maynooth Library 01 6285530 or maynoothlib@kildarecoco.ie

And share with anyone you think may be interested.

There are lots of other events in the coming fortnight, mostly around Riverbank in Newbridge. See the online brochure here or download the brochure here




All events are FREE of charge, but are ticketed, so booking is essential. 

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.

Poetry Workshop at the Five Glens Arts Festival

I'm running a poetry workshop at the Five Glens Arts Festival, Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim.


Poetry's oldest duty is preservation. The life we live eludes us as we live it, and when we are old we cannot credit what we have lost -- measured by the fragments that we keep – Donald Hall

Memories are increasing disposable in our throwaway society of soundbites and changeable fashion, process, ideas and images. Too many things are about speed up, speed up, newer, better, shinier. But these very memories we have are potentially a rich source of inspiration for writing. We can preserve the moments, places, people, thoughts and relationships, be they beautiful, mundane or uncomfortable, by capturing them in poems, to hold and to keep.

This  workshop if for anyone who would like to being to write poetry or for those who already have some memories captured on paper. It will be a safe, supporting environment so you can leave with the draft of at least one piece of writing with energy and confidence.

€15.00 pre-booked €18.00 on door  (max 12 people)

Saturday 27th August 11am


followed at 4pm by the results of the Dermot Healy International Poetry competition.

Please pre book!

Also for those with smallies, there is an Origami workshop , 2pm for smallies/beginners (and their accompanying adult) and 3pm drop in for older, more ambitious. Led by the lovely Grace Dempsey.

http://www.fiveglens.com/schedule/

The Five Glens Arts festival was created in response to the profound level of creativity which runs in a fine seam through the entire North West of Ireland.  The Arts in all of their formats are alive and very well in this part of the world with the concentration of professional creative practitioners not found elsewhere across Europe.

Here in Irelands North West, tucked away in the mystical lands of North Leitrim, you will find the market town of Manorhamilton. It is nestled at the very heart of The Five Glens of Leitrim, Glenfarne, Glenade, Glenboy, Glenaniff and Glencar. These glens have always been alive with artistic endeavour and enterprise.

The Festival is a celebration of the arts in their myriad forms and is a reflection on the profound level of creativity which is to be found in this special place.  We celebrate the Visual Arts, Literature and Poetry, Dance, Theatre, great food and of course Music throughout the weekend with local, national and internationally advertised events. Come and experience the talent brought to you by these artists in what has proven to be a great weekend to mark the last days of summer.

Workshop and reading at Boyle Arts Festival

There's lots happening in Boyle this summer. Their Arts Festival is growing more ambitious every year. Not to miss if you possibly can.

I'm involved in two events both on Saturday 23rd July

A workshop - register now! And a reading. A poetry-packed afternoon.

2pm Poetry workshop with Kate Dempsey ; Memory, €10

Boyle Enterprise Centre

Poetry’s oldest duty is preservation. The life we live eludes us as we live it, and when we are old we cannot credit what we have lost — measured by the fragments that we keep – Donald Hall

Memories are increasing disposable in our throwaway society of soundbites and changeable fashion, process, ideas and images. Too many things are about speed up, speed up, newer, better, shinier. But these very memories we have are potentially a rich source of inspiration for writing. We can preserve the moments, places, people, thoughts and relationships, be they beautiful, mundane or uncomfortable, by capturing them in poems, to hold and to keep.

This workshop is for anyone who would like to begin to write poetry or for those who already have some memories captured on paper. It will be a safe, supporting environment so you can leave with the draft of at least one piece of writing with energy and confidence.

Link here

Then a quick trot over to Druminilra Farm Kitchen

4pm Reading with Gerry Boland, Elaine Gaston and Kate Dempsey

Gerry Boland will read from his recently-published second collection, In the Space Between.

Elaine Gaston's debut collection ‘The Lie of the Land’ was published with Doire Press in July 2015 and she currently has work in The Yellow Nib, Poetry Ireland Review: the rising generation, The Stinging Fly and The Ogham Stone.

Kate Dempsey’s poetry is published in many journals in Ireland and the UK. She runs the Poetry Divas, a glittery collective of women poets who blur the wobbly boundary between page and stage. Her debut collection, The Space Between, was published by Doire Press in 2016.

Link here

Wexford Literary Festival: 27-29 May

Wexford Festival tickets are on sale now.

FESTIVAL TICKET €50.00, EARLY BIRD €40.00, OAP/STUDENT €25.00

Following each talk or panel discussion, there will be a chance to meet the speakers, with a book signing, hosted by Byrnes Bookstores.

Friday 27th May 

Open Mic Night
8pm, Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy
An evening of song, prose, poetry & drama from some of Wexford’s best loved artists.
Tickets €5 at door

Saturday 28th May
CHURCH INSTITUTE
Registration 9.00 – 10.00
Author Talk, Historical Fiction With Hazel Gaynor
One Foot In The Past: The challenges and joys of writing historical fiction set in the 19th and 20th centuries.

10.15 – 11.30
Industry Experts Q&A – Demystifying the Publishing World With Carmel Harrington, Madeleine Keane, Margaret Madden, Mary McCauley, Claire Hennessy
Our panel of experts include authors, a literary editor, publisher, editor, proofreader and book reviewer! Between them, they will take you on a journey, on what to expect from writing a novel to publication.

11.30 – 12.45
Author Panel Discussion – The Debut Novelists With Cat Hogan, Joan Brady, Frankie Gaffney, Catherine Ryan Howard, Caroline Busher
Meet the new faces of fiction as they give us the inside scoop on what it’s like to publish their debut novel. Cat Hogan is an author with Poolbeg Press and is represented by Trace Literary Agency.

12.45 – 2.00
Lunch

2.00 – 3.00
Author Panel Discussion – YA/Children’s Fiction With Claire Hennessy, E. R. Murray, Ruth Frances Long
Children’s and YA fiction has never been more popular. Our panel will answer your questions about what it’s like to write in this genre and also discuss their own work.

3.15 – 4.15
Author Panel Discussion – Crime Fiction With Jax Miller, Ava McCarthy, Andrea Carter
Join our all-star panel where they will share insights into the dark world of Irish crime fiction writing.

4.30 – 5.30
Author Panel Discussion – Self Publishing With Carolann Copland, Pat Fitzpatrick, Siobhan Davis, Karen Power
Two of the biggest challenges for self-publishing authors are marketing and distribution. Our panel of experts have successfully navigated their way through self publishing and are here to answer to share their considerable knowledge.

ENNISCORTHY LIBRARY
10.30 – 11.30
Children’s Workshop – Time Travel Through Ireland aimed at ages 9 years old + With author E. R. Murray Go on a journey through Ireland’s history visiting the Celt, Viking, Victorian, Georgian eras. Find out some gruesome & shocking facts and learn how these eras shaped modern Ireland. Then, help the authors create a time machine to return to present day: the authors will also read from their books and leave time for questions.
This event is FREE. Book your place early to avoid disappointment, directly with Enniscorthy Library.

Sunday 29th May
3pm,
The Athenaeum, Enniscorthy Colm Tóibin International Short Story Award
and
1916 Poem for Enniscorthy Award
All shortlisted entries to both awards are invited to afternoon tea at the historic Athenaeum, where the winners will be announced.

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. 

Competition for a Free Place on Leanne O'Sullivan's week long poetry retreat in Anam Cara

Competition for a Free Place in Leanne's workshop retreat in Anam Cara

Since our workshop will take place on the magical, mythical Beara Peninsula, it is very fitting that our poetry -- which is, after all, a concentrated imaginative and intellectual response to our experiences and contexts -- will seek to possess something of the essence of this very special part of the world.


The poem (max. 40 lines) should be based on or inspired by a mythological narrative. Your narrative may be updated into a modern context if you wish, though the bones of mythology should reside.


Please submit your entry (as an attached word.doc without personal information on the poem) to Sue at anamcararetreat@gmail.com


Deadline for submission: 30th April 2016 (Midnight GMT)


Here's more on the workshop, Lining Our Thoughts - A Poetry Writing Workshop Retreat

Arrival: Saturday, 30th July 2016
Departure: Saturday 6th August 2016


"This workshop is for those who would like to begin to write poetry or those who would like to develop poems they have already started.  The main aim of my workshops is to encourage writers through discussion, exercise based and free writing, while also allowing them to take risks in a supportive environment. Each session will focus on a different topic, such as imagery, perspective, storytelling, rhythm and form. Everything a writer needs is inside of themselves, and it's my goal to help them refine the effectiveness of how they communicate their subject matter.
"Morning sessions will include a reading of poems by established writers (which will be supplied) with discussion of what makes these poems effective, writing exercises and also excursions to some sites in Beara that have given inspiration to my own writing.  In the afternoons, I will be available for one-to-one sessions and this will also be free time during which participants can enjoy the creative peace of the retreat and do some writing."

Carlow Writers Creative Writing Workshops

Poetry 5th March
Fiction 9th April

What evocative object would inspire you to write a poem? What thing lies about the house that has special meaning for you, that could be a key to unlock a story you want to tell? 

'We find it familiar to consider objects as useful or aesthetic, as necessities or vain indulgences. We are on less familiar ground when we consider objects as companions to our emotional lives or as provocations to thought. The notion of evocative objects brings together these two less familiar ideas, underscoring the inseparability of thought and feeling in our relationship to things. We think with the objects we love; we love the objects we think with.'

Sherry Turkle, Evocative Objects: Things We Think With

Derek Coyle will lead a creative writing session that will explore the evocative object and we will produce work based on some treasured 'thing' that sits silently in the midst of our lives.

Join Derek Coyle and Simon Lewis for the first half of the day in Carlow's Teach Dolmain for a Creative Writing session with a concrete edge. 

Rozz Lewis and Edel Horan cover Fiction in April.

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

Poetry Ireland Introductions Series

I did this eons ago and it was very enjoyable and educational and you get to meet a lot of people and talk about poetry a lot which is a treat. And paid too. Another treat. You do have to have a publishing history behind you first.

The Poetry Ireland Introductions Series offers a paid public reading to poets working towards a first collection or with a début collection already published, and who have a track record of publication in journals and 'little' magazines. Writing may be in Irish or English. 

In 2016 the poets selected for the Introductions Series will participate in two workshops/master classes. The first workshop is focused on form and craft, the second on the art of reading/performing poetry in public.

These workshops will culminate in a number of public readings during the International Literature Festival Dublin, with one participant flown to New York to read as part of Salon Éire 100, an evening of Irish poetry at the New York Public Library for Performing Arts at the Lincoln Center.

To apply for an Introductions in 2016, send a maximum of 10 pages of poems and a short biographical note emphasising publication credits to:

Introductions, Poetry Ireland, 32 Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

Deadline: Friday 29 January 2016

Red Line Festival Poetry Workshop

This experiential poetry workshop inspired by the local environment will be hosted by poet and writer Grace Wells. Participants will visit the current exhibition at RUA RED Arts Centre and visit a number of local venues and stimulants, using the real world as a prompt for new writing. The workshop will require a certain amount of walking and clothing suitable to October weather.

Sounds fascinating

Saturday 17th October 11am to 1pm

Free but book it now

Link to book here

Abbey Theatre Playwrights Hub - Tiger Fringe Festival

Dates: 8–10 September, during Tiger Dublin Fringe Festival
Time: 2–5pm
Location: Irish Writers Centre

Join the Abbey Theatre Literary Team at the Irish Writers Centre for a series of curated workshops.

Find out more about how the Abbey Theatre develops new plays. Bounce some ideas off them or get the facts about submitting your work. Spend time on the nuts and bolts of your trade and take the chance to develop some new ideas with the help of established theatre makers.

Michael West (Conservatory, Freefall) will facilitate this year’s Playwrights Hub. 

Any interested writers will need to send an expression of interest and their writing experience to script@abbeytheatre.ie.

As the places for the Hub are strictly limited, the deadline for expression of interest will be 21 August and all applicants will be contacted by August 28.

There will be three groups of 10 playwrights and each group will have a 3 hour workshop with an established theatre maker.

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

Song Writing Workshop

Song writing Workshop with John Spillane

Singer/songwriter John Spillane will be holding a Song writing Workshop in Naas Arts and Culture Centre on Saturday 25^th of July, starting at 2pm. This is a rare opportunity to get tips on song writing from one of Irelands best know songwriters, and get a rare insight into the world of the professional songwriter. 

John says about his workshops;

“At my song writing workshops we actually write songs. Having attended a few workshops where the participants play their songs to be criticised by experts who talk down to them, I was inspired to invent a novel approach, where we all sit down and write a finished song in one session. This teaches many lessons, including finishing things, which is often a big problem for writers. I create a space where all negativity, all criticism and judgment are locked outside”

Prices are €50 for the half day workshop, with an early-bird price of €40 if booked and paid for before 15^th of July.

Booking can be made at reception, McAuley Place, Sallins Rd. Naas.

Phone enquiries on 045 897833

What: Song writing Workshop with John Spillane

Where: Naas Arts and Culture Centre

When: Saturday 25^th July. 2pm.