Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book of the Year

Congratulations to Louise O'Neill who has just won the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book of the Year award for her novel Asking for It. Last year Louise won the title of Newcomer of the Year at the awards for her debut novel Only Ever Yours. We wish Louise continued success with her writing career! 

                                    

Ballymaloe International Poetry Prize

Closing date for the Ballymaloe International Poetry Prize competition is fast approaching: 31st December 2015. There is no line limit and entry fee is €12. This years first prize is €10,000 with three further prizes of €1000, and will be judged by Billy Collins. For further details check out www.themothmagazine.com or write to The Ballymaloe International Poetry Prize, c/o The Moth, Ardan Grange, Milltown, Belturbet, Co. Cavan, Ireland.

                       

Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award

Congratulations to J. P. Dunleavy who won the prestigious Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent Irish Book Awards. Previous winners of this award include Maeve Binchy, Seamus Heaney, and John Banville to name but a few.

Check out the recent winners of the Irish Book Awards at www.irishbookawards.ie and vote for your overall book of the year before 17th  December 2015!

                                      

Costa Book Awards 2015

The shortlist for the 2015 Costa Book Awards has just been announced. I am delighted to see that Anne Enright's The Green Road and Sara Baume's Spill Simmer Falter Wither are included on the shortlist. The winner will be announced on the 4th January 2016 and each category winner will receive £5000.00. For further details and information check out www.costabookawards.com!

                                          

Irish Book Awards 2015

The Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards 2015 shortlist was announced earlier this month. Hundreds of books were submitted this year and the public are being asked to cast their vote on the best books via www.bgeirishbookawards.ie. So let your voice be heard and cast your vote before midnight November 20th 2015!

                                                 

Dublin Book Festival

The 2015 Dublin Book Festival takes place this weekend, the 12th - 15th November. Guest speakers include Kevin Barry, Judi Curtin, Claire Kilroy, Donal Ryan and Ian Sansom. A wide variety of events are planned for the weekend including literary walking tours, book launches, children & young writers workshops and a live broadcast of RTE Radio 1's Arena programme. For further details and bookings check out www.dublinbookfestival.com

         

                                                               

NaNoWriMo for November

November is NaNoWriMo - the National Novel Writing Month.  The concept is that you write a 50,000 word novel during the month, which means a word count of 1,667 for each day of the month. This is an intensive event but the idea is to ignore your inner critic and to let your creativity run wild. The goal is moving forward with your writing, to develop plot and character with a sense of freedom and to return to editing at a later stage. Sounds good! 

Check out www.nanowrimo.org for further details and information.

                                              

The Francis Ledwidge International Poetry Award 2015

The closing date for The Francis Ledwidge International Poetry Award 2015 is fast approaching: 5th November 2015.

Poems must be your own unpublished work and should not exceed forty lines of type.

Entry fee €4.oo per poem, 3 for €10.00

Maximum 6 poems (€20.00) payable to the Inchicore Ledwidge Society.

Post your entry to:

The Francis Ledwidge International Poetry Award 2015,

c/o 20 Emmet Crescent,

Inchicore,

Dublin 8.

Check out www.poetryireland.ie/writers/opportunities/the-francis-ledwidge-international-poetry-award-2015 for further information and details.

                               
                                         

Fish Publishing Competition 2015

The closing date for The Fish Publishing 2015 Short Story Prize is 30th November 2015. Maximum word length - 5000 words: Entry fee €20.00 (subsequent entries €10.00).  

The top ten winning stories will be published in the 2016 Fish Anthology.

First Prize: €3000, Second Prize: Week at Anam Cara Writers Retreat + €300, Third Prize: €300.00. This year's judge is Kevin Barry.

For further details visit www.fishpublishing.com. 

                                            

Dromineer Literary Festival 2015

Dromineer Literary Festival 1 - 4 October 2015

The festival opens on Thursday evening 1st October with a one man play, written and performed by Peter Sheridan at Nenagh Arts Centre. The weekend continues with a variety of poetry workshops by leading names such as Thomas McCarthy, George Szirtes and Billy Ramsell. 

Sarah Davis Goff and Lisa Coen of Tramp Press will be presenting an interesting workshop Saturday 3rd October; "How NOT to mess up your submission"! 

Email info@dromineerliteraryfestival.ie to book a place or visit www.dromineerliteraryfestival.ie.

                            

The Long Gaze Back

The Long Gaze Back - An Anthology of Irish Women Writers, published by New Island and edited by Sineád Gleeson has just been released.

This is an exhilarating anthology of thirty short stories by some of the most gifted women writers ever. Authors include Niamh Boyce, Mary Costello, Anne Devlin, Anne Enright, Belinda McKeown and Kate O'Brien to name but a few.

This book features eight rare stories from deceased luminaries and twenty two unpublished stories by some of the most talented Irish women writers working today.

Pick up a copy today at your local bookstore!

                                 

Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival 2015

The Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival 2015 takes place this weekend the 4th September - 6th September. This year they are celebrating 21 years in existence. Artists include Dovie Thomason, Brigit Lehner, Clare Muireann Murphy, Michael Harvey and Colum Sands.

For further details check out www.capeclearstorytelling.com!


                       
                              

Simple Abundance

Today the 1st of September, I am reminded by Sarah Ban Breathnach in her book Simple Abundance A Daybook of Comfort and Joy, of the satisfaction of the September resolutions!

September resolutions are about authentic wants. Think about what you want more or less of in your life. It can be as simple as taking more time out for yourself, or more time out to spend with pen and paper. As we move through the seasons we are encouraged to move towards the authentic self. September resolutions are made quietly as autumn unfolds. 

So today why not take some time out and make your own September resolutions!

                              

                                   

Remembering Seamus Heaney

Remembering Seamus Heaney today on his 2nd Anniversary.

Digging
Between my finger and my thumb
the squat pen rests; snug as a gun.

Under my window, a clean rasping sound
when the spade sinks into gravelly ground:
My father, digging. I look down.

Till his straining rump among the flowerbeds
bends low, comes up twenty years away
stooping in rhythm through potato drills
where he was digging.

The coarse boot nestled on the lug, the shaft
against the inside knee was levered firmly.
He rooted out tall tops, buried the bright edge deep
to scatter new potatoes that we picked,
loving their cool hardness in our hands.

By God, the old man could handle a spade.
Just like his old man.

My grandfather cut more turf in a day
Than any other man on Toner's bog.
Once I carried him milk in a bottle
corked sloppily with paper. He straightened up
to drink it, then fell to right away
nicking and slicing neatly, heaving sods
over his shoulder, going down and down
for the good turf. Digging.

The cold smell of potato mould, the squelch and slap
of soggy peat, the curt cuts of an edge
through living roots awaken in my head.
But I've no spade to follow men like them.

Between my finger and my thumb
the squat pen rests.
I'll dig with it.

Seamus Heaney            1939 - 2013



                                                    

Guardian First Book Award 2015 Longlist

The following is The Longlist for the Guardian First Book Award 2015.

                             Man V Nature by Diane Cook
                             Mrs. Engels by Gavin McCrea
                             Physical by Andrew McMillan
                             The Fish Ladder by Katharine Norbury
                             The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma
                             Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible by Peter Pomerantsev
                             Grief Is The Thing With Feathers by Max Porter
                             The Shore by Sara Taylor
                             The Wallcreeper by Nell Zink
                             Spill Simmer Falter Wither by Sara Baume

     We look forward to the announcement of the shortlist!


               

                             

Mslexia Women's Novel Competition

The Mslexia Women's Novel Competition 2015 is open for entries. This competition is for a completed novel by an unpublished female novelist. Novels may be in any genre and must be at least 50,000 words long. To enter, submit the first 5,000 words of a manuscript - double spaced, on numbered pages, with the title of the novel on each page. There is an entry fee of £25.00 per novel. The closing date for entry is 21 Septemer 2015. 

For further details check out www.mslexia.co.uk!

           

                             

Hawthornden Literature Prize

Congratulations to Colm Tóibín who has won the prestigious Hawthornden Prize for his novel Nora Webster.  The Wexford author received the award at a ceremony in the London Library last night, Wednesday 22nd July. Previous winners of this award include Alan Bennett, Graham Greene and William Trevor.  A movie version of Tóibín's novel Brooklyn starring Saoirse Ronan and Domhnall Gleeson goes on release in November.

                                         

                                                

West Cork Literary Festival

The West Cork Literary Festival takes place in Bantry, 12th July - 18th July 2015.

This years line up includes John Boyne, Mary Costello, Judi Curtin, Christine Dwyer-Hickey and Belinda McKeon to name but a few!

The 2015 Fish Anthology will be launched on Tuesday evening, 14th July at the Maritime Hotel, Bantry @ 6.30p.m.

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

                          

Over The Edge New Writer of the Year

The 2015 Over The Edge New Writer of the Year creative writing competition is currently open to submissions from both poets and fiction writers. The total prize fund is  €1000. Best fiction will receive €300 and best poetry entry will receive €300. One will then be chosen as overall winner and receive a further €400 giving the overall winner total prize money of €700 and the title of Over the Edge New Writer of the Year 2015. Entries should be sent to Over The Edge New Writer of the Year Competition, 3 Carbry Road, Newcastle, Co. Galway. Entry fee is €10 (multiple entries €7.50 each).

   Closing date for entries is Wednesday August the 5th.

   For further information check out www.overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.ie

                                                               
                                                 

Hay Festival Kells

Hay Festival Kells, Co. Meath  25th - 28th June 2015.

Bookings are now taking place for talks with screenwriter Lynda La Planter, young adult novelist Derek Landy, poet Paul Durcan, Booker Prize winner Roddy Doyle and best selling novelist Marian Keyes.

Tickets available from Antonia's Bookstore in Trim 046 9437532 and Kells Chamber Office 046 9240081.

Planned activities also include a children's workshop and events focused on animation, history, politics, film, food and fashion.

For further information and details check out www.hayfestival.com/kells!

                           

W.B. Yeats Celebrations 2015

Events took place today all over Ireland to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of William Butler Yeats.

During the summer months why not visit The Yeats Collection at The National Library of Ireland which is situated in Kildare Street, Dublin. Absorb yourself in the drafts of poems, plays, and novels. Be inspired by this vast visual and audio collection!

In the meantime check out the virtual online exhibition at www.nli.ie/yeats/.

                                              

Dalkey Book Festival 2015

Dalkey Book Festival takes place from Thursday June 11th - Sunday June 14th 2015. 

This year's line up includes Kevin Barry, Shane Hegarty, Belinda McKeon, Paul Murray and Gordon Snell to name but a few. As part of the Yeat's celebration, Gabriel Byrne is in conversation with Caroline Erskine,  Saturday evening at 7.00p.m.

Check out www.dalkeybookfestival.org for further details and events schedule!

                                     

                              

                                                                      

Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year 2015

Congratulations to Eoin McNamee who won The Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year 2015 for Blue is the Night. Eoin was presented on the night with a cheque for €15,000. Blue is the Night is the final novel in the Blue trilogy.

The other four short listed authors were:

David Butler - City of Dis.

Patrick O'Keeffe - The Visitors.

Nuala Ní Chonchúir - The Closet of Savage Mementos.

Eibhear Walshe - The Diary of Mary Travers.

                                             

                                       
                                                         
                                                  

                                                   

All Over Ireland - New Irish Short Stories

All Over Ireland is the fifth volume of new Irish short stories to be published by Faber & Faber in a series established by the late David Marcus.

All Over Ireland, edited by Deirdre Madden, features the work of both new and established writers, including Colm Tóibín, Mary Morrissy and Eoin McNamee. 

This book is dedicated to the memory of John McGahern, a true master of the short story!

                                            

Only Himself: A Tribute to Dermot Healy

Only Himself: A Tribute to Dermot Healy - O'Reilly Theatre Sunday 24th May @ 8.00p.m.

In this special tribute, Timothy O'Grady in collaboration with the International Literature Festival Dublin, gathers leading artists including Kevin Barry, Anthony Cronin, Roddy Doyle, Anne Haverty, Martin Hayes, Jennifer Johnston, Neil Jordan and Patrick McCabe to reflect on one of the most original voices in Irish writing.

Featuring music from Martin Hayes and friends, Only Himself is a unique celebration of this wonderful writers life and work.

To book your place at this special event go to ilfdublin.ticketsolve.com

                                             

International Literature Festival Dublin 2015

The International Literature Festival Dublin 2015 takes place from May 16th - 24th.

This festival caters for everyone's taste with events taking place at various locations through out the city, including the Irish Writers Centre and Smock Alley Theatre. 

To check out the full listing of events go to www.ilfdublin.com

                                          

Listowel Writers Week 2015

Listowel Writers Week takes place from 27th May - 31st May 2015.

This year's festival will be launched by Ireland's inaugural Laureate for Irish Fiction, Anne Enright, Wednesday 27th May @ 8.00p.m. in The Arms Hotel.

Listowel Writers Week president Colm Tóibín will preside over the evening.  The highlight of the evening will be the announcement of the winners of the diverse writing awards including the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award 2015 and the Pigott Poetry Prize. This years festival lineup includes Colin Barrett, Claire Louise Bennett, Alan Cumming, Paul Durcan and Nuala Ni Chonchúir. 

Visit www.writersweek.ie for events listing and further information!

                                    

By The Light Of The Moon

By the Light of the Moon, An Anthology of New Irish Fiction, published by Marble City Publishing has just been released.

Long forgotten but dramatic events from history have inspired fourteen short stories in this collection of new fiction from Irish writers.

Drawn by the authors imagination, these compelling stories reignite familiar historical themes once told through the satire of popular verse. Reinterpreted as an anthology, some tales are retold in their original setting while others are re-imagined and adapted for today's world. 

Authors of this anthology: Ruby Barnes, Maura Barrett, Jeanne Beary, Ilona Blunden, Phyllida Clarke, Eileen Condon, Nora Farrell, Majella Gorman, Patrick Griffin, Mary Healy, Orla Hennessy, Stella Lanigan, Rachel Nolan and Valerie Ryan.

I am delighted to have a story included in this beautiful publication!

                    

                                         

                                       

The Hennessy Book of Irish Fiction 2005 2015

The Hennessy Book of Irish Fiction 2005 2015 has just been released. This anthology is published by New Island and edited by Dermot Bolger and Ciaran Carthy. It is the third in a series of anthologies and captures a new generation of Irish Writers as they emerge in print for the first time. It includes stories contributed by Niamh Boyce, Sara Baume and Colm Keegan.

                                                                                         

Heaney Winner of A Poem for Ireland

The poem When All The Others Were Away at Mass (from Clearances 111 - In Memoriam M.K.H., 1911-1984) by Seamus Heaney has been named as Ireland's favourite poem of the last hundred years.

President Michael D. Higgins announced the winner during the filming of a special episode of the RTE Arts Show The Works at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin.

The poem which recalls a morning shared between the young author and his mother, peeling potatoes, was chosen as the best loved Irish poem of the past century.

For more details on this wonderful project visit http://apoemforireland.rte.ie/ 

         

World Book Day 2015

Today Thursday 5th March 2015 we celebrate World Book Day.

For the past eighteen years World Book Day has been firmly established as Ireland's biggest annual event promoting the enjoyment of books and reading. All Irish primary school children will receive a €1.50 book token valid from 2nd March - 29th March which can be exchanged at bookshops for one of the eleven specially published World Book Day books.  

So today take some time out to visit your local bookstore!

Hennessy Literary Awards 2015

Congratulations to Sara Baume who was recently named as Hennessy New Irish Writer 2015. The First Fiction Prize went to Henrietta McKervey and the award for Emerging Poetry went to Simon Lewis.  Poet Paula Meehan was inducted to the Hennessy Literary Awards Hall of Fame.

Congratulations and wishing continued success to Paula, Simon, Sara and Henrietta!    


                   

A Poem for Ireland

A Poem for Ireland celebrates the wealth of Irish poetry over the past one hundred years in Ireland. The shortlist consists of ten poems which shall be featured on RTÉ One's The Works (Friday 8.30p.m.) and RTÉ Radio One's The John Murray Show (9.00a.m. weekdays).

So visit apoemforireland.rte.ie and vote for your favourite poem. The deadline for voting is Sunday 8th March and the winner will be revealed on Friday 13th March.

                                 

Laureate of Irish Fiction

Congratulations to Anne Enright who has become Ireland's First Laureate of Irish Fiction. Anne begins her three year post which is an initiative that has been developed by the Art's Council. Anne will be lecturing in University College Dublin and New York University. She also hopes to support the short story form and the translation of Irish work into other languages during her time as Laureate. 

We wish Anne every success in her new position!

        

The Artist's Way

The Artist's Way - A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity  by Julia Cameron.

The Artist's Way provides a twelve-week course that guides you through the process of recovering your creative self. It's step by step approach enables you to start out on your own path to creativity and dissolve the barriers that are preventing your creative impulses from finding expression.

As we begin a new year why not make The Artist's Way part of your 2015!