The Artist's Way Every Day

Found a wonderful reminder to nurture your creativity today March 20th in Julia Cameron's book The Artist's Way Every Day, A Year of Creative Living. 

"Your artist is a child.  Spending time in solitude with your artist child is essential to self-nurturing. A long country walk, a solitary expedition to the beach for a sunrise or sunset, a sortie out to a strange church to hear gospel music, to an ethnic neighborhood to taste foreign sights and sounds - your artist might enjoy any of these."

Beautiful words of encouragement to read!

As spring raises it's head take time out this week to enjoy the outdoors, to listen to the birds singing and to observe the movement of the seasons.

Man Booker Prize Winner 2016

Congratulations to Paul Beatty winner of this years Man Booker Prize for his novel The Sellout.  He is the first American to win this prestigious fiction award. Last night in London's Guildhall he was presented with his prize by the Duchess of Cornwall. Paul was quoted as saying "writing has given me a life..." a great quote for all emerging writers!

                                 

Dromineer Literary Festival 2016

The Dromineer Literary Festival takes place from Thurs. October 6th - Sun. October 9th.

This years speakers include Anne Enright, Anthony Glavin, Danielle McLoughlin and Aideen Henry. The weekend includes  poetry workshops, short story workshops, music recitals and concludes with a festival photographic exhibition. 

For further information and details check out www.dromineerliteraryfestival.ie   

                   

    

Bedford International Writing Competition

The Bedford International Writing Competition is now open for submissions. Story length is 3000 words and poems are up to 40 lines. First prize is £200, second prize £100 and third prize £50 with an extra Bedford local prize of £50. Closing date is 30th September 2016 and this years judges are Toby Litt, Margaret Norwich and Ian McEwen.

For further information check out bedfordwritingcompetition.co.uk.

Good Luck!

                         

Writers Walking Tour of Dalkey

Every Friday from now until September the Maeve Binchy and Irish Writers Walk takes place in Dalkey. Savour snippets from the work of Maeve Binchy, James Joyce, Hugh Leonard and Flann O'Brien, to name a few, while enjoying some of the sights of Dalkey. 

It starts at 1.30p.m. at the Writers' Gallery at Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre.

Booking in advance is essential contact margaret@dalkeycastle.com. or check out www.ilovedalkey.com

                                 

West Cork Literary Festival

The West Cork Literary Festival takes place from 17 - 23 July 2016 at various venues in Bantry.

This years line up includes John Banville, Kevin Barry, Carol Drinkwater, Theo Dorgan, Maji Gibson, Claire Kilroy, Lisa McInerney and Danielle McLaughlin to name but a few.

Editor Hannah Griffiths and literary agent Carol Blake will also be in attendance with lots of helpful advice on the publishing industry.

Check out www.westcorkliteraryfestival.ie for further information and bookings!

                                        West Cork Literary Festival 2016

                                  

                                 

                 

Listowel Writers Week 2016

Listowel Writers Week takes place from 1st June - 5th June 2016. This years line up includes names such as Danielle McLoughlin, Anthony Glavin, Martina Devlin, Alan McMonagle, Patricia O'Reilly and Nessa O'Mahony to name but a few. 

The Irish Novel of the Year award 2016 will be announced at the festival. The shortlist includes The Blue Guitar, by John Banville, Beatlebone by Kevin Barry, The Green Road by Anne Enright, This Living and Immortal Thing by Austin Duffy and The Little Red Chain by Edna O'Brien.

Friday the 3rd June sees the unveiling of the Maeve Binchy Plaque in Ballybunion town at 11.00a.m. by Irish Times journalist and author Hilary Fannin.

Sounds like a wonderful week in Listowel. Check out www.writersweek.ie for further information and to book your workshop!