The Irish Writers’ Centre and Poetry Ireland invites everyone to a really lovely series of free Lunchtime Readings at the Irish Writers’ Centre in the heart of Dublin’s cultural quarter at 19 Parnell Square. A host of award-winning authors and poets will read every Friday at 1.05 pm. This bite-size format offers the busiest of… Continue reading »
Jan
06
I’m a world record breaker!!!
The Irish Writers Centre received official confirmation on 4th January 2013 that we broke the Guinness World Record for Most Authors Reading Consecutively From Their Own Work during our marathon readathon on 15th June 2012! The certificate has been issued and I am proud to say that I was one of the 111 official record… Continue reading »
Jun
11
Read for the World!
I’m taking part in a bid for a new Guinness World Record this coming weekend for ‘the most authors reading consecutively from their work’! The Irish Writers’ Centre is organising this exciting fund-raising event to help it stay open and maintain its high standard of service. ‘Read for the World’ will be a marathon public… Continue reading »
Apr
07
New writers of children’s literature
It’s always great to see new people interested in getting into writing for children and young adults. The publishing industry sets standards almost impossibly high for aspiring writers, has a devastatingly high casualty rate, and a lead-time of several years from purchase of the initial product to final production, sale and distribution, yet its continued health… Continue reading »
Feb
06
Beginning to Write Children’s Books
When putting together its courses for the New Year, the Irish Writers’ Centre invited me to teach another children’s fiction course in the Spring. I’m delighted to be involved again as I really enjoyed teaching there last year, when I was fortunate to have a wonderful group of students brimming with original and creative ideas.… Continue reading »
Nov
19
Brighten up the dark winter nights
November and December might be the darkest months of the year, but there are lots of book events happening in Dublin and around the country that will brighten up even the dreariest winter nights. On Thursday 9th December at the Exchange Dublin, Exchange Street Upper, Dublin 2, iBbY Ireland is hosting a Manga-nificent night of… Continue reading »
Nov
08
Writing Great Stories for Young Readers
I have been invited by the Irish Writers’ Centre in Parnell Square, Dublin, to run an evening course in the springtime for aspiring writers of fiction for children and young adults. How exciting! I’m keen to get started already. I’ve been pulling out all sorts of resources and books of excellence to recommend to participants.… Continue reading »
Sep
30
Autumn events for aspiring writers and illustrators
It can feel very lonely, as an aspiring writer, to be struggling endlessly with your work. Sometimes it can feel like you’re getting nowhere and that nobody appreciates the effort and grind that you put in day in, day out. Writing, by its very nature, is a solitary pursuit. When the blood-stained manuscript you have… Continue reading »