ftc fromthecentre
fromthecentre at tara.clearlight.com
fromthecentre at tara.clearlight.com
Fri Jan 12 06:44:09 EST 2007
Irish Writers’ Centre : Reading
Yuyutsu RD Sharma & Cathal Ó Searcaigh
24 January 2007 at 7 p.m.
As part of our readings series the Irish Writers’ Centre welcomes Yuyutsu RD Sharma & Cathal Ó Searcaigh to the centre.
Derek Mahon
Masterclasses at IWC
27 & 28 January
Only a very limited number of places remain for aspiring poets on these unique one-day masterclasses.
To register interest email: info at writerscentre.ie
Book Your Stand at the Inaugural Irish Writers’ Centre Publishers Book Fair 2007
The Irish Writers’ Centre is delighted to announce the first in a series of publishers book fairs to be held in the centre. The fair will be held on 31 March & 1 April 2007.
fromthecentre is also available in PDF from our website. To download a copy click here <http://www.writerscentre.ie/emailnewsletter/em.pdf>
12 January 2007
Dates for the diary – this week at the Centre
15 January
IWC Writers’ Group – 7 p.m.
17 January
Writers’ Forum – 7 p.m.
19 January
Out to Lunch - Anne Joyce – 1.15 p.m.
Irish Writers’ Centre News
The Scribblers Corner
A New Lunchtime Writing Hour. A new group is starting on the 31 of January 2007, and will meet at lunchtime, 1pm – 2pm, every week on Wednesdays. The aim is to gather writers together for a short writing session. It will run for approximately 1 hour, and all that is needed is a pen and paper. Each week a different topic or theme will be given to the group and then those present will freewrite for 15 – 20 minutes. After this time each individual will be asked to read his or her work out. Everyone will be given time to read but please note that there will be no feedback on work created during these sessions. The aim of the group is to allow those present to hear other writers voices on a common topic in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.
This is a free event, open to anyone who wishes to attend, and will be held in the Irish Writers Centre. All are welcome but please be prompt as late arrivals cannot be accommodated. For more information please contact the centre on 01 872 1302 or info at writerscentre.ie
Inaugural Irish Writers’ Centre Publishers Book Fair 2007
The Irish Writers’ Centre is delighted to announce the first in a series of publishers’ book fairs to be held in the centre. The fair will be held on 31 March & 1 April 2007. These fairs are aimed at small to medium sized publishers, giving them a platform to show the titles and the range of publications that is on offer. The weekend will include readings and book launches with something for every taste. Publishers wishing to have a stand are invited to contact the Irish Writers’ Centre to reserve a place. We have already taken a number of bookings from publishers and so if you would like to have a stand place contact the centre as soon as possible. The cost of each stand will be approx €50.
United Nations World Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Open Day and Readings
On 21 March 2007, after last years successful readings, the Centre will be holding another set of readings to coincide with the U.N. World day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Anyone wishing to participate in this event and open day at the centre is advised to contact the centre as soon as possible.
Irish Writers’ Centre Resource Centre for Writers
To assist with the development of the new Resource Centre we are looking to up-date the materials, contact details and publications that we have available. If you could please complete the form below and return it to us, either by post or email this would be appreciated.
Please send us copies of resources/publications/reports that you have produced or that you find useful from other sources. We are seeking materials on writing within the following contexts: Copyright; Writers and Publishers Contracts; Community development programmes; N.G.O’s. who use creative writing as part of their development programmes; Manuscript Preparation and Submission Guidelines; Creative Writing Teaching and methodology; Creative Writing research; Funding for Creative Writing.
We are also looking to up-date and add details on the following: Arts Offices and Arts Officers around the Country; Creative Writing Groups; Book / Reading Clubs; Writers’ Centres and writing houses around the world; Organisations providing Creative Writing Courses; Publishers; Authors; Copy Editors; Ghost Writers; Professional people who specialise in the area of creative writing.
Other News
Irish becomes the 21st official language of the EU
The very first Council Regulation dating back to 1958, which is the legal basis of the language policy in the EU, was amended to include Irish as the 21st official language alongside German, English, Danish, Spanish, Estonian, Finnish, French, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovenian, Swedish and Czech.
The amended Regulation will apply from 1 January 2007. For practical reasons, the Council decided that only regulations adopted by the European Parliament and the Council under the co-decision procedure will have to be available in Irish. Other legislative acts will be exempted for a transition period of five years to allow time to train and recruit translators. Thereafter, the situation will be reviewed regularly to decide when this exemption should end. This arrangement is broadly similar to the agreement reached with the government of Malta on translation of documents into Maltese.
To implement the amended Council Regulation, it is estimated that the EU institutions will need 29 new posts for translators and support staff. The Irish government has committed itself to train the necessary number of translators and interpreters and to bear the related costs. From January 2007 onwards, the annual costs to the EU of the Irish language services are estimated at around 3.5 million euros.
Since the accession of Ireland in 1973, Irish has had the status of a Treaty language. Therefore, the primary legislation, including the accession agreement, and certain other pieces of legislation have already been translated into Irish. Irish was granted the status of an official and working language of the European Union by the Council on 13 June 2005.
Costa Book Awards 2006 Category Winners Announced
The Costa Book Awards recognise the most enjoyable books of the last year by writers based in the UK and Ireland. Formerly known as the Whitbread Book Awards, Costa announced its takeover of the sponsorship of the UK’s most prestigious book prize in 2006.
The five successful authors who will now contest for the Costa Book of the Year are:
William Boyd who, after winning the First Novel Award in 1981 for A Good Man in Africa, returns 25 years later to claim the Novel Award for Restless.
Former film-maker Stef Penney wins the First Novel Award for The Tenderness of Wolves, a murder mystery set in the snowy peaks of Canada, a country she has never visited.
Brian Thompson wins the Biography Award for Keeping Mum, a witty account of his own childhood which the judges called the perfect antidote to the "'misery memoir'".
John Haynes beats Seamus Heaney to take the 2006 Poetry Award for Letter to Patience, set in a small mud-walled bar in northern Nigeria at a time of political unrest.
Linda Newbery, a former Whitbread Book of the Year judge, triumphs in the Childrens Book Award category with Set in Stone.
John Derkach, Managing Director, Costa said: "Since 1971, the Whitbread Book Awards, now the Costa Book Awards, have been unique in highlighting some of the best examples of British writing. We're very proud to be announcing such an outstanding collection of books which we know people will enjoy reading."
The five Costa Book Award winners, each of whom will receive £5,000, were selected from 580 entries, the highest total ever received in one year. The five books are now eligible for the ultimate prize - the 2006 Costa Book of the Year. The winner will be announced at the Grosvenor House Hotel in central London on Wednesday 7th February 2007 by a panel of judges chaired by the comedy writer and director, Armando Iannucci. Since the introduction of the Book of the Year award in 1985, it has been won seven times by a novel, three times by a first novel, five times by a biography, five times by a collection of poetry and once by a childrens book. For additional information go to www.costabookawards.com
2006 Costa Book Award Winners
Costa Novel Award - Restless - William Boyd
Costa First Novel Award - The Tenderness of Wolves - Stef Penney
Costa Biography Award - Keeping Mum - Brian Thompson
Costa Poetry Award - Letter to Patience - John Haynes
Costa Childrens Book Award - Set in Stone - Linda Newbery
Richard and Judy Book List 2007
The Richard and Judy shortlist has been unveiled. The eight books are:-
The Interpretation of Murder by Jed Rubenfeld,
The Girls by Lori Lansens,
Restless by William Boyd,
Love in the Present Tense by Catherine Ryan Hyde,
Semi-Detached by Griff Rhys Jones,
This Book Will Save Your Life by AM Homes,
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,
The Testament of Gideon Mack by James Robertson.
The books on last year's Channel 4 programme shortlist sold 10m copies.
The Poetry Archive
The archive originated following a conversation between Andrew Motion and the recording producer Richard Carrington bemoaning the lack of recordings of poets, even from the very recent past, reading their own work. On the site, Motion quotes Robert Frost as saying that "the ear is the best reader", and he provides a "guided tour" taking in readings by Margaret Atwood, Richard Wilbur, Christopher Logue and Charles Causley. Other tours are led by Stephen Fry (Betjeman, Armitage, UA Fanthorpe, Ginsberg, Porter, Kavanagh) and Monica Ali (more Ahlberg, as well as Heaney, Paul Farley and Sassoon). Dylan Thomas is the most requested voice on the site. Details as to what to listen to and where to donate (it's a non-profit organisation that funds its own recordings) at www.poetryarchive.org <http://www.poetryarchive.org/> .
(source: http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/ )
Scottish Poetry Archive
A Scottish section of the Poetry Archive website was launched in 2006 and includes rare recordings of George Mackay Brown and Hugh MacDiarmid. Among the contemporary writers, John Burnside and Edwin Morgan both also feature in a new sound project from Chemikal Underground Records (www.chemikal.co.uk <http://www.chemikal.co.uk/> ), in concert with the Scottish Arts Council, which puts together Scottish writers with Scottish musicians. There's a long history of poets working with musicians - perhaps most notably in the UK with the early 1960s jazz and poetry sessions featuring the likes of Laurie Lee, Ted Hughes and Stevie Smith. This latest project, Ballads of the Book, was the brainchild of Idlewild's Roddy Woomble. Burnside hooks up with The Incredible String Band's Mike Heron and Morgan is twinned with Idlewild. Other writers include Alasdair Gray, Ali Smith, AL Kennedy, Louise Welsh, Ian Rankin (who has already enjoyed a fruitful collaboration with the musician Jackie Leven) and Robin Robertson. Among the musicians are Trashcan Sinatras, James Yorkston and Vashti Bunyan. There's a live performance at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on January 30, a television documentary about the project and a CD - with artwork by Alasdair Gray - released in March.
(source: http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/ )
New Library at Ty Newydd, the National Writers' Centre for Wales
The official opening has occurred of a library at Ty Newydd, the National Writers' Centre for Wales. The house has been a writers' centre since 1990, but the building goes back to the 16th century; it was the last home of David Lloyd George, and the gardens were "playfully" redesigned by the creator of Portmeirion, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, in the 1940s. A current close neighbour in the north Wales village of Llanystumdwy is Jan Morris who, along with her son Twm Morys, opened he library as part of Ty Newydd's open day. Courses run all year round, with the Welsh writers Paul Henry and Owen Sheers leading the first of 2007, for sixth-formers, from January 12-14. More info at www.tynewydd.org <http://www.tynewydd.org/>
(source: http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/ )
Two key independent publishers to merge
Profile Books, responsible for Lynne Truss's bestselling Eats, Shoots and Leaves, as well as the surprise Christmas hit Does Anything Eat Wasps? is acquiring Serpent's Tail, publisher of Lionel Shriver's Orange prize-winning We Need to Talk About Kevin.
The deal brings together Profile founder Andrew Franklin and Serpent's Tail founder Pete Ayrton. Both companies have had remarkable success in recent years. Serpent's Tail, which aims to publish "radical voices neglected by the mainstream", led a trend for erotic memoirs with Italian teenager Melissa P's One Hundred Strokes of the Brush Before Bed and Catherine Millet's explicit The Sexual Life of Catherine M. (source: http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,1983966,00.html )
The Poetry Programme on RTÉ Radio 1
‘The Poetry Programme’ is a brand new poetry series presented by Pat Boran.
The first programme went on air Saturday January 6th with guests including Josephine Hart and Tony Curtis. Throughout the year the programme will be talking about all aspects of poetry from new Irish collections to works from abroad as well as special thematic programmes. Plans for January include a look at the T.S Eliot Poetry Prize short list as well as a special programme on the poet Rilke. Comments and suggestions are welcome at ‘The Poetry Programme’, RTÉ Radio Centre, Donnybrook, Dublin 4 or email at poetry at rte.ie
Verbal Magazine
The first edition of this new literary magazine will be published on Tuesday 30th January 2007. There will be special discounts on advertising for this first edition. Please click on link provided for all the information on the new publication including advertising costs and editorial content: www.verbalartscentre.co.uk <http://www.verbalartscentre.co.uk/verbalmagazine/index.htm>
The deadline for submitting books for review for the second edition of Verbal is January 16.
Anthology Book is closing its doors. www.booklinks.ie to be launched in March 2007
Susan O’Brien and Cecilia Dougherty, co-managers of Anthology Books at Meeting House Square in Temple Bar, announce that they are closing the shop early this year. Their plans for the book business in the future include setting up an online clearinghouse for Irish writers, artists and presses of chiefly contemporary literature in all fields from art and architecture to film, archaeology, history and current affairs, drama, poetry, fiction, folklore, children?s books and literature in Irish. They expect the online enterprise to be launched in March 2007 as booklinks.ie, and aim to act as an industry partner to Ireland?s many fine publishing houses, bringing contemporary literature to a wider audience. Booklinks.ie is to be a nexus for Irish literature, linking Irish presses and distributors with customers here and abroad. booklinks.ie is to be aimed at academic institutions, libraries, collectors, cultural centres, researchers and individuals interested in Ireland and Irish culture who are based abroad, especially in the United States and Britain. booklinks.ie will include subscriber services for those looking for specific texts as well as for those with books to sell, linking individual customers with individual subscribers directly. In our short time on Meeting House Square, Anthology Books has been known for our hand picked selection of fine titles and they hope to continue thier personalised service online at <http://www.booklinks.ie/> www.booklinks.ie.
Seamas Mac Annaidh appointed Writer-in-Residence in Galway University
Fermanagh novelist and short story writer Seamas Mac Annaidh has been appointed Writer-in-Residence in Galway University. He has previously held residencies at Queens, Belfast and the University of Ulster at Coleraine. He is currently writer-in-residence with Fermanagh District Council.
Further information from Seamas at <mailto:smccanny at hotmail.com> smccanny at hotmail.com
Best of Irish Poetry 2007
Southword Editions has produced the Best of Irish Poetry 2007. These forty poems in English, by Irish poets or poets living in Ireland, were published in books, magazines and newspapers over the twelve-month period between July 2005 and July 2006. About a third appeared in Ireland, the rest in the US and the UK. They come from little-known, hard-to-find publications, as well as from prestigious imprints such as the New Yorker and the TLS. If nothing else, this selection reflects the broad geographical reach of places where poems from Ireland can turn up nowadays. It also shows the esteem which Irish poetry has earned throughout the Anglophone world. The editors will change from year to year allowing for a catholicity of taste to emerge over time. The inaugural editors are Colm Breathnach as Irish-language editor and Maurice Riordan as English-language (or Hiberno-English) editor. Details http://ireland.poetryinternationalweb.org/piw_cms/cms/cms_module/index.php?obj_id=8188
Poetry Ireland Subscriptions
Poetry Ireland Review / Iris Éigse Éireann is the journal of record of poetry in Ireland. Published quarterly, Poetry Ireland Review presents the work of both emerging and established Irish and International poets.
Poetry Ireland News / Scéala Éigse Éireann is the bi-monthly newsletter produced by Poetry Ireland. It is essential reading for all those who wish to keep up-to-date with the poetry world including information on readings, competitions, festivals, opportunities, opinions and much more. Full subscription:- Four Issues of the Poetry Ireland Review plus six issues of Poetry Ireland Newsletter per year. For further information re: subscriptions w: <http://www.poetryireland.ie/> www.poetryireland.ie e: <mailto:management at poetryireland.ie> management at poetryireland.ie t: 01-4789974
The Irish Haiku Society
Newly founded, The Irish Haiku society is an association of haiku poets. The Society organises meetings, readings, book-launches, workshops, ginko and other haiku-related events. Membership is free of charge, for membership or further queries contact the Irish Haiku society w: <http://www.freewebs.com/irishhaiku> http://www.freewebs.com/irishhaiku e: irishhaikusociety at hotmail.com
Haiku Ireland
Haiku Ireland is a group of haiku poets who share the same aims that are primarily to foster the writing of haiku and its related forms to a standard of excellence and in a manner which reflects both its origins and best contemporary practice and to contribute to the development of haiku in Ireland and internationally. Another objective is to develop and sponsor cooperation between the Irish and the international haiku community and we hope this newsletter will help achieving this goal. Haiku Ireland - organises regular haiku events, such as workshops and ginko that are open to all. For further information on our group, to attend our events or to join us, please visit the Official Site at www.haikuireland.org <http://www.haikuireland.org/> that also contains haiku written by members and the previous newsletters and publications that may be downloaded.
On winning an inaugural Glen Dimplex Award:
Philip Cummings, Irish-language Award
Dá mbeadh a fhios agam go raibh an duais bainte agam, seans go dtabharfainn mo bhean chéile liom go dtí an ócáid bhronnta. Ach bhí achan rud eagraithe go rúnda ag Áras na Scríbhneoirí agus thiomáin mé liom féin go dtí Baile Átha Cliath, i ndiaidh cor bealaigh a dhéanamh le lúibíní cufa a fháil ó mo dheartháir mar gur éirigh le mo pháistí mo lúibíní féin a sciobadh ar an aon lá sa bhliain a raibh siad de dhíth orm. Tuar maith atá ann, a dúirt mé liom féin, b’fhéidir go mbainfidh mé.
Ná creidígí na scríbhneoirí sin a deir go bhfuil siad sásta go leor a bheith ar an ghearrliosta: ón uair a fheiceann tú d’ainm ar an liosta, bíonn tú ag dúil lena chluinstin ar an oíche mhór. Mar sin, lean mé liom ag cuartú tuartha le linn an aistir. Néalta an teideal atá ar mo leabhar agus, go hádhúil dar liom, bhí néalta sa spéir an tráthnóna sin. Sa teach lóistín, bhí pictiúir de mhórscríbhneoirí na hÉireann ar crochadh ar na ballaí; tuar maith eile. Ar mo bhealach go dtí Óstán an Ceithre Ráithe, shiúil mé thar Bhóthar Raglan, baint eile litríochta i ndán cáiliúil Patrick Kavanagh, fear nach rachadh €5,000 amú air i dtús a shaoil scríbhneoireachta, de réir tuairiscí.
Istigh i maisiúlacht na Ceithre Ráithe, thit an tóin as an tairngreacht nuair a d’aimsigh mé m’ainm ar chlár na dtáblaí. Bhí beirt de na moltóirí ina suí ar aon tábla liom; cinnte ní bheadh an buaiteoir ina shuí in aice leis na moltóirí, agus cinnte ní bheidís in ann gan an rún a scaoileadh le linn an bhéile. Ach lean an rúndacht ar aghaidh go dtí gur imigh Celia de Fréine suas go dtí an ardán agus gur aithin mé óna haitheasc go raibh an lá liom.
Níor iarraidh orm óráid a thabhairt, ach bhí rud ar leith le rá agam agus d’iarr mé cead labhartha. Bíonn Gaeilgeoirí go maith ag gearán, agus cuid mhaith de tuillte, go ndéantar neamhaird ar an teanga agus ar litríocht na Gaeilge i saol na hÉireann. Ach ní mór aitheantas a thabhairt fosta ar na heisceachtaí, agus tréaslaím arís le hÁras na Scríbhneoirí agus le Glen Dimplex as an chinneadh rannóg don Ghaeilge a chur san áireamh sna duaiseanna seo.
Maidir le tábhacht na duaise dom féin, cuirfidh mé mar seo é: más spórt don mhionlach é filíocht a scríobh, amanna is spórt a imrítear i staid fholamh é filíocht a scríobh i nGaeilge. Ach tabharfaidh an duais seo spreagadh dom go bhfuil mé ar an chósan cheart le mo shaothar, mar a thabharfaidh sí do na buaiteoirí, agus do na daoine ar na gearrliostaí, sna blianta amach romhainn.
Bhain mé an-sult as an oíche, ach bhí sásamh ciúin faoi leith ar an spaisteoireacht liom féin ar ais go dtí an teach lóistín san eolas nach mbeadh ar na daoine a thacaigh liom go dtí seo le mo chuid scríbhneoireachta comhbhrón a dhéanamh liom ar ais sa bhaile.
B’fhéidir go gceannóidh mé lúibíní nua, nó an dóigh leat go bhfuil na cinn seo ádhúil?
____________________________________________________________________________
If I’d known I was going to win, I might even have brought my wife with me to the presentation ceremony. But the Irish Writers’ Centre had maintained strict secrecy about the awards and so I set off for Dublin on my own, after a detour to collect cuff links from my brother, the children having managed to hide my own pair on the one day in the year when I actually needed them. That’s a good sign, I said to myself, maybe I’ll win.
Because you shouldn’t believe those writers who claim they are happy enough to be on the shortlist: once you see your name in black and white there, you start thinking about hearing it read out on the night. So off I went, searching for omens during the journey. My book is called Clouds and, sure enough, there were clouds in the sky that afternoon. In the B&B, there were pictures of famous Irish writers hanging on the walls; another good sign. I walked to the Four Seasons Hotel and passed Raglan Road on the way, another literary connection in the echo of Patrick Kavanagh’s famous poem, a man who, by all accounts, would have known what to do with €5,000 at the start of his writing life.
Once inside the opulence of the Four Seasons, my oracle got a bit of a poke in the eye when I saw the table list. Two of the judges were seated at the same table as me: surely it would look odd if the winner was sitting cosily beside the judges, and surely they would let the result slip during the meal? But the secrecy continued up until Celia de Fréine went up to the stage and I realised from her citation that I had in fact won.
I wasn’t asked to make a speech, but there was something in particular that needed saying and Myles Dungan graciously lent me his place at the microphone. Irish speakers are good at complaining – mostly with just cause – that the language and its literature are generally ignored in Irish life. But it is equally important to acknowledge the exceptions, and I congratulate again Glen Dimplex and the Irish Writers’ Centre for their decision to include an Irish language category in these awards.
As for the importance of the prize to me personally, I’ll put it like this: if writing poetry could be described as a minority sport, writing poetry in Irish sometimes feels like a sport played before an empty stadium. This prize gives me encouragement that I am on the right path with my work, as it will do for the winners, and those on the shortlists, in the years to come.
I really enjoyed the evening, but took a special delight in the quiet knowledge on the walk back alone to the B&B that those who have supported me thus far with my writing would not be forced to compose expressions of encouraging commiseration when I arrived home. I might even buy a new pair of cuff links, or do you think these ones are lucky?
Submissions, Competitions & Opportunities
Writers’ Studios at 19 Parnell Square
Deadline: Open all year round
Applications are invited from emerging and established authors interested in availing of the Centre’s studios for an agreed period in 2007. Applications consisting of CV and project outline should be sent to: The Director, Irish Writers’ Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1. Email: info at writerscentre.ie
The Wild Wood
Deadline: Open all year round
We are looking for well-written, thoughtful, straightforward, imaginative fiction on all topics for publication in the The Wild Wood , published monthly in London and Southeast England. Stories must be original and unpublished, and contain no pornography, graphic violence or gratuitous bad language. Length up to 3,000 words, but the shorter the better. High-quality short poems and cartoons also considered. From thriller to romance, science fiction to comedy,storytopics are limited only by your imagination!Please remember: you are writing for ordinary people, not a literature exam!
See www.wildwoodpress.com <http://www.wildwoodpress.com/> or submit directly to editor at wildwoodpress.ndonet.com
OxDocs Institute Festival of New Work
Deadline: Between 1 January and 30 April 2007
OxDocs Institute Festival of New Work – a scriptwriting contest for stage and screen. Open to new, emerging, or non-professional playwrights and screenwriters whose non-fiction work explores issues related to conflict within or between communities. Special prize for scripts focusing on Irish or Celtic topics. Submissions accepted only between January and April 2007; for information and required application form, contact Libby at oxdocs at gmail.org, or go to www.oxdocs.eu <http://www.oxdocs.eu/> .
Strokestown International Poetry Prizes 2007
Deadline: 31 January 2007
The Strokestown International Poetry prize offers €4000, €2000 and €1000 for an unpublished poem in English of up to 70 lines. Poets who write in Irish or Scottish Gaelic will be able to enter for prizes of equal value. The competition is international, multicultural and multilingual. The shortlisted poets are invited to read at the Strokestown International Poetry Festival which will be held over the May bank holiday weekend in 2007, and the prizes are announced at a ceremony during the festival. Closing Date 31 January 2007. Entry Forms Can be printed from the website w: <http://www.strokestownpoetry.org/> www.strokestownpoetry.org or Strokestown poetry Festival Office, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. t: 078 33759
Call for Submissions: Kilkenny Poetry Broadsheet Issue 7
Deadline: 9 February 2007
The Arts Office of Kilkenny County Council is delighted to announce the publication of the seventh issue of the very popular Kilkenny Poetry Broadsheet. The aim of the publication is to give local writers a platform for their work. Each poem selected is included in the broadsheet which will be for sale throughout the County. Kevin Higgins will edit the seventh issue of Kilkenny Poetry Broadsheet. Kevin is a poet based in Galway City. He facilitates poetry workshops at Galway Arts Centre and along with his wife Susan Millar DuMars they organises the Over The Edge readings in Galway City Library. His first collection of poems, The Boy With No Face, was published by Salmon in 2005 and was short-listed for the 2006 Strong Award for Best First Collection by an Irish Poet. His second collection is forthcoming. They are now accepting submissions from poets born or based in Kilkenny City and County. Closing date for receipt of submissions is no later than 4pm on Friday 9th February 2007. Application forms and submission rules are available from the Arts Office, No. 72 John Street, Kilkenny T: 056 7794138 E: niamh.finn at kilkennycoco.ie
Pinewood Annual Haiku Contest
Deadline: 14 February 2007
Winners will be published in the April 2007 issue of Wisteria.
On any topic, with Contemporary English-language haiku with no rules as to syllable or line count.
DEADLINE: February 14th, 2007-- received. HOW TO SUBMIT: Maximum of 3 poems, Submit two (2) copies of each haiku on a 3x5 index card. Entries should be typed. No prior published work accepted. One copy must have the entrant's name, address, and email for contact purposes and the other card only the haiku. Please write only (1) one haiku per card. Entry fee: $ 2.00—Pper poem / or 3 poems for $5.00 (cash or money order only, no cheques accepted) Money Orders should be made payable to: T.A. Thompson. Entries must be mailed to the address below. NO E-Mail Entries. Winners only will be notified by e-mail and postal mail. No SASE required. Send submissions to: Wisteria, Attn: 2007 Pinewood Haiku Contest, P.O. Box 150932 - Lufkin, Texas 75915 USA
miniWORDS 2007
Deadline: 16 February 2007
There are FIVE categories and SIX prizes in this year's miniWORDS competition with substantial cash prizes to those most skilled at brevity: One category will reward the best HAIKU (any form from traditional to contemporary western forms including the 'zip'). Each category carries a £250 first prize winner. Second
and third place, commended and highly commended places will also be awarded in each category (although there are no prizes for these). A sixth cash prize of £750 will be awarded to the overall winner.
The closing date for this competition is 16th February 2007.
More info at http://www.miniwords.charnwoodarts.com/ or contact Catherine Gillam
at miniwords2007 at charnwood-arts.org.uk
Chryanthemum
Deadline: 28 February and 31 August 2007
Chrysanthemum is an internet magazine for modern verse forms in the tradition of Japanese short poetry. Chrysanthemum is an international internet magazine that will appear twice a year, and will showcase previously unpublished Haiku/Senryu, Tanka, Haibun, Essays and Interviews in German and English. Haiku/Senryu submitted in English will be translated into German, if not already accompanied by a German translation, which is welcome but not required. Tanka, Haibun, Essays and Interviews will appear only in their original language. Submissions in languages other than German or English are also welcome as long as they are accompanied by a translation into German or English. Chrysanthemum welcomes work based both on traditional values as well as modern, innovative contributions in form and content, although there will be a special focus on innovative work of quality. Chrysanthemum hopes to achieve a connection between the heritage of the genre and the development and adaptation in countries outside Japan. Chrysanthemum will appear on the 15th of April and the 15th of October. Deadline for the spring issue is the end of February and for the fall issue at the end of August but submissions are welcome at any time. Please send up to 10 haiku/senryu at a time for consideration to Dietmar Tauchner at chrysanthemum at gmx.at Include your contribution in the body of the email; no attached files. All submissions must be unpublished and not under consideration elsewhere. All contents are copyright by the authors. All rights revert to the authors upon publication in Chrysanthemum. For more information, please visit www.chrysanthemum-haiku.net <http://www.chrysanthemum-haiku.net/>
Call for Proposals for the first round of the EU Culture Programme 2007-2013
Deadline: 28 February 2007
The Culture Programme 2007-2013 replaces ‘Culture 2000’, and it supports literary translation projects run by publishers, as well as ‘co-operation measures’, which are short projects lasting no more than 24 months, devised and carried out by co-organisers (main partners) based in at least three different countries participating in the programme, and ‘multiannual co-operation projects‘’ lasting between three and five years, and run by co-organisers in at least six participating countries. Full specifications (rules and regulations) the deadline for project proposals 28 February 2007and application forms are available on the European Commission Culture website now:
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/static/en/culture/call092006/index.htm
In the Footsteps of Aidan Higgins
Deadline: 1 March 2007
The Aidan Higgins International Original Prose Writing Competition, in association with Dalkey Archive Press 1st Prize €1, 000 euro, Runners up Four cash prizes of €150 each, Adjudicator, Patrick McMahon, Galway Co. Librarian. Entry Fee €10, Closing date: 1 March 2007.
Entries by post only to In the footsteps of Aidan Higgins, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co Kildare
Further details available on website www.kildare.ie/aidanhiggins <http://www.kildare.ie/aidanhiggins>
The Francine Porad Award for Haiku
Deadline: 15 March 2007
The Washington Poets Association ( <http://www.washingtonpoets.org/> http://www.washingtonpoets.org/) invites your haiku submissions for the fourth annual Francine Porad Award for haiku. The contest was named to honor a leading figure in Northwest haiku, painter and haiku writer Francine Porad. She was a former president of the Haiku Society of America and editor for eight years of Brussels Sprout, an international journal of haiku and art. She published two dozen books of her haiku and related poetry, and passed away in September of 2006 at the age of 77. Entry form and fee: The entry fee is $5 plus $1 per poem (no limit on the number of submissions). Read the fine print and download the 2007 entry form at <http://www.washingtonpoets.org/wpa_contest_info.php.> http://www.washingtonpoets.org/wpa_contest_info.php. Deadline: March 15, 2007. Prizes: Cash prizes totaling $250 will be paid as follows: $125 for first prize, $75 for second prize, $50 for third prize. Winning haiku will also appear in Cascade, the annual journal of the Washington Poets Association and on the WPA Web site. Winning poets will be invited to read their prize-winning poems at a WPA summer event. Additional Information: For more information contact Jed Myers at <mailto:medjyers%40hotmail.com> medjyers at hotmail.com or at 4026 NE 55th St., Suite A, Seattle, WA 98105, USA, or phone +00 1 206-526-0972.
Modern English Tanka
Deadline: 15 March 2007
You are invited to submit tanka for the Spring 2007 issue of Modern English Tanka. The submission deadline is March 15, 2007. Submissions will close earlier if the issue fills up; the first two issues have closed early. MET is accepting submissions now. MET2 Winter 2006 is available now at <http://stores.lulu.com/modernenglishtanka> http://stores.lulu.com/modernenglishtanka . Modern English Tanka is a quarterly journal-both a digital online magazine and a print literary journal-dedicated to publishing and promoting fine English tanka (including tanka written in cinquain and cinqku set forms). We are interested in both traditional and innovative verse of high quality and in all serious attempts to assimilate the best of the Japanese waka/tanka genres into a continuously developing English short verse tradition. In addition to verse, we publish articles, essays, book notes & reviews, interviews, letters to the editor, etc., related to tanka. MET specializes in single tanka but tanka in sets and sequences will be considered as well. Collaborative tanka sequences are not wanted. While the five-line criterion is generally definitive for tanka, MET will consider variant forms on an individual basis (like everything else!) Serious poetry and adult themes are appreciated. Doggerel and anything that is pornographic or in any way nasty, hateful, bigoted, or partisan political, will not be accepted. All such judgments will be made at the sole discretion of the editor. Modern English Tanka, Baltimore, Maryland USA. Website: <http://www.modernenglishtanka.com/> http://www.modernenglishtanka.com/ Editor: Denis M. Garrison. Contributing Editor: Michael McClintock. Email up to 40 tanka, or email articles, reviews, essays, letters to the Editor, etc., to the Editor at <mailto:submissions at modernenglishtanka.com> submissions at modernenglishtanka.com Before submitting, please read the detailed submission guidelines on the website at <http://www.modernenglishtanka.com/submit.html.> http://www.modernenglishtanka.com/submit.html. Modern English Tanka looks for top quality tanka in natural, modern English idiom. No payment for publication. Publishes a digital edition online and a print edition (6" x 9" trade paperback).
Molly Keane Memorial Creative Writing Award 2007
Deadline: 23 March 2007.
This is the 10th year of the Molly Keane Memorial Creative Writing Award. The Arts Office of Waterford Co. Council is pleased to announce details of the award for 2007. The late writer lived, until her death in 1996, in Ardmore, Co. Waterford. Her first ten novels and four plays were published under the pseudonym M.J. Farrell. In 1981 ‘Good Behaviour’ became a publishing sensation for which she was short listed for the prestigious Booker Prize. To celebrate this rich literary life, the County Waterford Arts Office, by kind permission of the Keane family, is inviting entries for a previously unpublished short story to a maximum of 2000 words. There is no entry fee, no age limit and no restriction on the subject matter. A prize of €650 will be awarded to the winner at a special ceremony during the IMMRAMA Literary Festival in Lismore, Co. Waterford (June 15th – 17th 2007). Full details and an entry form can be downloaded from www.waterfordcoco.ie <http://www.waterfordcoco.ie/> or by phoning the Arts Office on 058-41416. The closing date for receipt of entries is Friday 23rd March 2007.
The Golden Pen Awards 9th Annual Competition
Deadline: 1 April 2007
Entry Fee Adults €5 Students €3, No Entry Form required, Stories limited to 2000 words / Poems 70 lines
Send to: The Golden Pen, Gurteen, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
The tenth biennial International BBC / British Council Playwriting Competition
Deadline: 30 April 2007
The playwriting competition is one of the most exciting events here at BBC World Service Drama, as it provides us with an opportunity to connect with our audience, drawing on a vast, untapped resource of writing talent from around the world. Previous winners have gone on to gain further commissions for BBC World Service Drama and other areas of BBC Radio Drama. So, if you are an experienced novelist or writer for theatre, film, television, but are new to Radio Drama; if you are a writer with no experience at all writing your first script; or if you're a writer somewhere in between - we want to hear from you.
The Prizes are, £2500 sterling for the overall winning playwright of the best play written with English as a first language and a trip to London to see the play being recorded and to attend a prize-giving evening. £2500 sterling for the overall winning playwright of the best play written with English as a second language and a trip to London to see the play being recorded and to attend a prizegiving evening. A prize of a digital or short wave radio for the best radio play to be written from each of the following geographical areas: The Americas; Europe; Africa and the Middle East; South Asia; Russia and the Caucasus; Asia and Pacific. BBC goodie bags for all writers whose plays reach the judges' final shortlist. You can enter the competition by using one of the following methods: Complete the entry form and send it together with your play, to: Playwriting Competition 2007, BBC World Service Drama, Room 118 East Wing, Bush House, London, WC2B 4PH, United Kingdom; Complete the entry form and deliver it along with your play, to your local BritishCouncil Office or Email your play directly to us at: intradioplaycomp at bbc.co.uk
The New Zealand Poetry Society 2007 International Poetry Competition
Deadline 30 May 2007
The New Zealand Poetry Society's annual International Verse and Haiku Competition has been launched. This year's judges are James Norcliffe (Open), Ernest Berry (Haiku), Bernard Gadd (Opne Junior) and Patricia Prime (Haiku Junior). Entrey forms and instructions will be posted for downloading from W: www.poetrysociety.org.nz. For further information The Competition Sectretary, PO Box 5283, Lambton Quay, Wellington 6145, New Zealand E: competition at poetrysociety.org.nz
Over The Edge New Writer of the Year competition
sponsored by Charlie Byrne's Bookshop
Deadline: 1 July 2007
Over The Edge is running an exciting new creative writing competition, open to both poets and fiction writers. The winner will receive a cash prize of €300, a spot as a Featured Reader at an Over The Edge: Open Reading, and the title Over The Edge New Writer of The Year 2007. The competition is sponsored by Charlie Byrne's Bookshop. Criteria: fiction of up to three thousand words, three poems of up to forty lines, or one poem of up to one hundred lines. Entries longer than these will be disqualified. Multiple entries are acceptable but each entry must be accompanied by a €15 fee and an SAE. Fee payable by cheque or money order to Over The Edge. The closing date is July 1st 2007. A shortlist of six will be announced in Charlie Byrne's Bookshop on Wednesday, August 1st, 2007. Entries should be sent to Over The Edge, 3 Carbury Road, Newcastle, Galway, Ireland with an accompanying SAE. Over The Edge on 087-6431748 or see <http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com/> http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com
Poet's Letter Beowulf Poetry Prize
Deadline: Open from 1-31 July 2007
Poets Letter Beowulf Poetry Competition was launched with a view to establish a platform to offer poets of all walks of life to strive towards writing great poetry and get recognition and publishing opportunities whilst creating wider public appreciation of Engish Poetry. The competition of 2006 /2007 will be based on a theme 'poetry of Cities'. Poems have to be written originally in English and must be original, unpublished work.Prize money totalling £17,200 Visit W: www.poetsletter.com
Bottle Rockets Press
Deadline: 1 September 2007
bottle rockets press will be publishing two different mini-anthologies of haiku and senryu in
the bottle rockets book series. One will be about "fireflies" the other about "amusement
parks/carnivals/country fairs". Send up to 20 poems (previously published or new as long as they are free and clear) for each anthology. Do NOT combine submissions. Include bibliographical info. Please include
SASE for reply. No e-mails submissions please for US residents. Cover letters for new poets is highly recommended. Deadline for submission is Sept. 1, 2007. For any questions please contact Stanford M. Forrester at: bottlerockets_99 at yahoo.com Mail separate submissions to: bottle rockets press, amusement park, P.O. Box 189, Windsor, CT 06095 USA
Workshops / Courses
Irish Writers’ Centre Courses
Creative Writing Courses 2007
We will be running a complete series of new courses from the last week of January and the first week in February 2007. These courses include “Novel Writing” with Claire Hennessy on a Monday night, Beginners Creative Writing with Greg Baxter on a Wednesday night, Travel Writing with Paul Clements on a Tuesday morning, Creative Writing with Yvonne Cullen on a Tuesday night and with Nicole Rourke on a Thursday night. We are also running courses covering Short stories, journalism, poetry and writing reviews as well as a selection of weekend courses and two intensive courses, one 5 day intensive Creative Writing Courses with Carlo Gébler in the summer and a 3 day course for children (12 and upwards) in the Easter holiday. Full details are available on our website. www.writerscentre.ie <http://www.writerscentre.ie/>
Timetable
Day
Start
Time
Course
Tutor
Length
Cost
Monday
5 Feb
7 - 9
The Novel
Claire Hennessey
12 weeks
€250
Monday
5 Feb
7 – 9
Introduction to Creative Writing 2
Bill Tinley
10 weeks
€210
Monday
5 Feb
7 – 9
Short Stories
Desmond Traynor
10 weeks
€210
Tuesday
30 Jan
10.30 – 12.30
Travel Writing
Paul Clements
10 weeks
€210
Tuesday
13 March
10.30 – 12.30
Short Stories & Creative Fiction
Susan Knight
10 weeks
€210
Tuesday
30 Jan
6.30 – 8.30
Beginners Creative Writing
Yvonne Cullen
10 weeks
€210
Tuesday
17 April
6.30 – 8.30
Intermediate Creative Writing
Yvonne Cullen
10 weeks
€210
Tuesday
17 April
6.30 – 8.30
Beginners Creative Writing
Nicole Rourke
10 weeks
€210
Wednesday
31 Jan
10.30 – 12.30
Poetry Workshop
Catherine Phil MacCarthy
10 weeks
€210
Wednesday
31 Jan
6.30 – 8.30
Creative Writing & Interaction
Nicole Rourke
10 weeks
€210
Wednesday
21 Feb
6.30 – 8.30
Intermediate Creative Writing
Greg Baxter
10 weeks
€210
Wednesday
18 April
6.30 – 8.30
The Novel 2
Claire Hennessey
12 weeks
€250
Wednesday
18 April
6.30 – 8.30
Creative Writing & Interaction 2
Nicole Rourke
10 weeks
€210
Wednesday
16 May
6.30 – 8.30
Beginners Creative Writing
Greg Baxter
10 weeks
€210
Thursday
8 Feb
2.30 – 4.30
Critics Choice, Reviews
Desmond Traynor
12 weeks
€250
Thursday
1 Feb
6.30 – 8.30
Beginners Creative Writing
Nicole Rourke
10 weeks
€210
Thursday
1 Feb
6.30 – 8.30
Journalism
Brendan Nolan
10 weeks
€210
Thursday
19 April
6.30 – 8.30
Finishing Your Book
Conor Kostick
10 weeks
€210
Thursday
19 April
6.30 – 8.30
Intermediate Creative Writing
Nicole Rourke
10 weeks
€210
Thursday
19 April
6.30 – 8.30
Beginners Creative Writing
Greg Baxter
10 weeks
€210
Thursday
19 April
7 – 9
Childrens’ Writing
14 – 17 year old
Kate Dempsey
10 weeks
€210
Friday
26 Jan
10.30 – 12.30
Creative Writing
2
Jean O’Brien
10 weeks
€210
Friday
26 Jan
2.30 – 4.30
Beginners Creative Writing
Yvonne Cullen
10 weeks
€210
Weekend
24 & 25 February
10 – 4
Writing non-fiction means telling no more lies
Brendan Nolan
2 days
€200
Weekend
31 March & 1 April
10 – 4
Poetry Workshop
Mark Granier
2 days
€200
Weekend
28 & 29 April
10 – 4
How to write a book 2
Alf McCreary
2 days
€200
Weekend
19 & 20 May
10 – 4
How to write a book and get it published
Alf McCreary
2 days
€200
Weekend
23 & 24 June
10 – 4
Poetry Workshop
Mark Granier
2 days
€200
5 Day
31 July – 3 August
10 - 4
5 Day intensive Creative Writing Course
Carlo Gébler
5 days
€650
3 Day
2 – 4 April
10 – 4
3 day intensive writing course for children (12 up)
Niamh O’Leochain
3 days
€150
Masterclasses 2007
The centre is in the process of setting up a series of one-off Masterclasses given by leaders in specific genres. The first of these is a poetry Masterclass to be given by Derek Mahon in January and this will be followed by Masterclasses given by Roddy Doyle in March, Edna O’Brien and Will Self amongst others. Details will be posted as soon as they are available. To apply for any of the Masterclasses you should send (preferably by email or post) a selection of up-to 5 examples of your recent work and a brief statement giving your reasons for applying. We will on some occasions be able to offer a bursary for certain courses to deserving writers; details again will be available on our website as soon as they are available.
Derek Mahon to give two one-day Poetry Masterclasses at IWC
A rare opportunity to study the art of poetry with Derek Mahon is available to a select number of aspiring and emerging poets over the weekend of 27-28 January 2007. For application details please contact the Centre on +353 1 872 1302 or email: info at writerscentre.ie
27 January 2007 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Poetry Masterclass
with Derek Mahon
Course Price: €350
28 January 2007 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Translation & Poetry Masterclass
with Derek Mahon
Course Price: €350
To apply for any of the Masterclasses you should send by email or post a selection of up-to 5 examples of your recent work, a brief biography and a brief statement giving your reasons for applying.
Non IWC Courses
22 January 2007 at 2 – 3.30 p.m.
Creative Writing for Beginners with Susan Millar DuMars
This January Galway Arts Centre presents a daytime class for all those beginner writers out there, facilitated by Susan Millar DuMars. Susan Millar DuMars writes both poetry and fiction. A collection of her stories, ‘American Girls’, will be published by Lapwing Press in April; her first collection of poetry, ‘The Wellspring Wife’, is forthcoming in 2008 from Salmon Poetry. Susan is a renowned creative writing teacher, and with her husband Kevin Higgins co-organises the Over The Edge readings in Galway City Library.
The class runs for ten weeks, commencing on Monday January 22nd, 2-3.30pm.
It will be a gentle introduction to fiction, poetry and autobiographical writing. Through in-class exercises, homework assignments and work-shopping of pieces, participants will be encouraged to discover and refine their own voices and material. An atmosphere of mutual support and fun will be encouraged. The cost to participants is €100, with a concession rate of €90.
Booking is essential as places are limited. For booking please contact Galway Arts Centre, 47 Dominick Street. Phone 091 565886 or email margaret at galwayartscentre.ie or victoria at galwayartscentre.ie
24 January 2007 at 7.30 –9.00pm
Western Writers' Centre Galway -New six-week course
Six Major Poets explored. Beginning with Philip Larkin, then Adrienne Rich, John Montague, Derek Mahon, Evan Boland and Michael Longley. Course should suit readers, writers, teachers, students, poets etc (These poets also feature on the Leaving Cert. course 2008/09) Facilitator is Gerard Hanberry, an award-winning poet, writer, teacher.Places limited. Booking essential.
Contact Western Writers’ Centre, 34 Nuns Island, Galway T: (091) 533595 or E: western-writers at eircom.net M: 087 7928547 for further info.
March, April, May & September 2007
INKwell Writers Workshops
INKwell Writers Workshops which offer one day intensive fiction writing workshops for new and accomplished writers facilitated by best selling authors across a range of genre. Each workshop runs from 9-4.30 at Fitzpatrick's Castle Hotel, Killiney, Co. Dublin, Coming up:
Writing for Children - Saturday 10th March €150 incl lunch with Marita Conlon McKenna and June Considine.
Women's Commercial Fiction - Sat 14th April €150 incl lunch with Sarah Webb, Claudia Carroll and Tracy Culleton and Getting Published - Sat 5th May €175 incl lunch with Patricia O'Reilly author of Writing for Success and representatives from the publishing industry incl Stephen Buck of Pillar Press. Also a Pure Fiction Writers Weekend 21-23 Sept 2007 at Kippure Lodge Co. Wicklow facilitated by Alex Barclay and Tracy Culleton.
14 – 21 July 2007
“Writing from Within” Haiku and the Spiritual Dimension
This weeklong residential workshop (14-21 July 2007), will be led by - haiku ireland - members Maeve O’Sullivan and Kim Richardson in the Anam Chara Writers’ and Artists’ centre on Béara in West Cork, and is to offer an opportunity for writers to immerse themselves in this short form of poetry while exploring spiritual activities in tandem, thus deepening awareness. As well as the three-line haiku, participants will also be exploring related forms such as tanka, haiga, renku and haibun, with their roots in Zen Buddhism and
its emphasis on “mindfulness”. To enhance these links, there will be sessions in guided meditation, breath practices and other spirit-centred activities. For further information about this workshop, contact Sue Booth-Forbes at anamcararetreat at eircom.net or visit www.anamcararetreat.com
Get Away Get Creative
If you are one of the many writers who dreams of the chance to explore your passion for words in an exotic location far removed from the daily grind of working life, then dream no more. In the Write Light is a new creative writing course offering beginner and intermediate level writers the chance to spend a fantastic long weekend on the Costa de la Luz challenging their creative writing skills in an informal workshop environment whilst also enjoying the breathtaking beauty of Spain's last unspoilt coastline. Set in Tarifa in the province of Cadiz, this region is famed throughout Spain for its stunning beaches, dramatic landscapes, unique wildlife, sporting attractions and cultural inimitability. Strikingly different from Spain's other coastal towns, Tarifa enchants all visitors with its mythical past and contemporary cool. Run over a four-day period, the course is designed to feed your artistic spirit and develop your creative talents in a location, which is both inspiring and guaranteed to rejuvenate even the most jaded soul. Guided by experienced workshop teachers who will allow you to work at your own pace and participating in groups no larger than six, you will be given the chance to improve on your writing skills and discover new ones. There are no criteria for attending the course except enthusiasm and imagination. You will be encouraged to allow both to run free.
To view full course details, please see www.inthewritelight.com or email info at inthewritelight.com or contact Natasha Smith on (+353) (0) 87 785 1642.
The Creative Writer's Workshops
Residential and non-residential. Writers' Retreats & Workshops throughout the year in the Burren, The Burren, Inis Mor Island, Glendalough & Dublin. Open to new and established writers.
w: www.thecreativewritersworkshop.com E: creativewriting at ireland.conm T: 086 252 3428
Every 2nd Thursday from 7.30-10 p.m.
Rathmines Writers Workshop
Christ Church, Rathgar, Dublin 6
Contact James Conway t: 086 4025578 e: info at rathminesworkshop.com w: www.rathmineswritersworkshop.com
Writing Groups
IWC Writers Group for aspiring writers from Ireland’s minority ethnic communities
The Irish Writers' Centre is currently running a writers group aimed aspiring writers from Ireland’s minority ethnic communities in the Dublin area. Its function will be to develop writing skills and creativity in these categories of people, introduce them to Irish literature and encourage their wider participation in local cultural activities. There's no fee for future participants. The group meets twice a month in the IWC (19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1). Anyone who would like to attend is very welcome to contact tutor, poet and writer Anthony Anatoly Kudryavitsky, at akudryavitsky at hotmail.com or the Irish Writers' Centre, 01 872 1302 or info at writerscentre.ie
The Scribblers Corner
A New Lunchtime Writing Hour. A new group is starting on the 31 January 2007, and will meet at lunchtime, 1pm – 2pm, every week on Wednesdays. The aim is to gather writers together for a short writing session. It will run for approximately 1 hour, and all that is needed is a pen and paper. Each week a different topic or theme will be given to the group and then those present will freewrite for 15 – 20 minutes. After this time each individual will be asked to read his or her work out. Everyone will be given time to read but please note that there will be no feedback on work created during these sessions. The aim of the group is to allow those present to hear other writers voices on a common topic in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.
This is a free event, open to anyone who wishes to attend, and will be held in the Irish Writers Centre. All are welcome but please be prompt as late arrivals cannot be accommodated. For more information please contact the centre on 01 872 1302 or info at writerscentre.ie
New Writers’ Forum
There are many writers out there who go unheard despite submitting several pieces of their work to magazines or book publishers. There are also many writers’ circles offering opportunities to read work and provide constructive criticism. The New Writers’ Forum is a gathering of Dublin-based writers that aims to offer unpublished writers a support platform for sharing ideas and learning and an opportunity to network. The group meets in the Irish Writers’ Centre on every second Wednesday starting in the New Year from 17 January at 7 p.m. There is no membership fee, and all interested aspiring writers are welcome. For further information please contact the Centre on: (01) 872 1302.
Literature and Poetry Series
Out to Lunch
Poetry Series
Following the successful transition from the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre to the Irish Writers’ Centre the Out to Lunch Series continues into 2007. Series Director John McNamee has put together an exciting line up of established and emerging poets. The readings take place every other Friday at 1.15 p.m. in 19 Parnell Square with the first reading of 2007 on 19 January with Ann Joyce.
2007
19 January
Ann Joyce
6 July
John O’Donoghue
2 February
Cathal Ó Searcaigh
20 July
Aidan Rooney
16 February
Iggy McGovern
3 August
John Menaghan
2 March
Mary Turley-McGrath
17 August
Sheila O’Hagan
16 March
Gerry Hanberry
31 August
Ann Morgan
30 March
Eileen Sheehan
14 September
Ivy Bannister
13 April
Paddy Bushe
28 September
Ann Zeller
27 April
Pat Boran
12 October
Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin
11 May
James J. McAuley
26 October
Roderick Ford
25 May
Annie Deppe
9 November
Catriona O’Reilly
8 June
Seán Lysaght
23 November
Mary Melvin Geoghan
22 June
Nell Regan
7 December
Samantha McCaffrey
21 December
John O’Donnell
For further information about the Out to Lunch poetry series please
contact the Irish Writers’ Centre on: (01) 872 1302 or visit our website: www.writerscentre.ie <http://www.writerscentre.ie/>
Contemporary Issues in Children’s Literature
The Reading Centre, The Church of Ireland College of Education, Dublin is pleased to announce a series of lectures to take place over the coming academic year. The lectures will look at some contemporary issues in children’s literature on an international basis.
31 January 2007 at 8 p.m.
Korky Paul, renowned illustrator and author will talk about the importance of developing children’s visual literacy. This will include a discussion of his own work, both with words and with images.
2 May 2007 at 8 p.m.
Dr Mel Gibson, Associate Senior Lecturer in Childhood Studies (CETL), University of Northumbria and expert on comics and graphic novels, who will look at literacy and the art of the graphic novel. The cost of each lecture is €10 but please note places are limited. For booking or for further information, contact: The Reading Centre, Church of Ireland College of Education, 96 Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6. e: readingcentre at cice.ie
Diary
Events at the Centre
January 2007
8
IWC reopens
15
IWC Writers Group
for aspiring writers from Ireland’s minority ethnic communities
7 p.m.
17
New Writers’ Forum
7 p.m.
19
Out to Lunch
Ann Joyce
1.15 p.m.
24
Irish Writers’ Centre : Readings
Yuyutsu RD Sharma & Cathal Ó Searcaigh
7 p.m.
29
IWC Writers Group
for aspiring writers from Ireland’s minority ethnic communities
7 p.m.
31
The Scribblers Corner
1 p.m.
31
New Writers’ Forum
7 p.m.
February 2007
2
Out to Lunch
Cathal Ó Searcaigh
1.15 p.m.
7
The Scribblers Corner
1 p.m.
12
IWC Writers Group
for aspiring writers from Ireland’s minority ethnic communities
7 p.m.
14
The Scribblers Corner
1 p.m.
14
New Writers’ Forum
7 p.m.
16
Out to Lunch
Iggy McGovern
1.15 p.m.
21
The Scribblers Corner
1 p.m.
26
IWC Writers Group
for aspiring writers from Ireland’s minority ethnic communities
7 p.m.
28
The Scribblers Corner
1 p.m.
28
New Writers’ Forum
7 p.m.
March 2007
1
World Book Day
World Readings
7 p.m.
2
Out to Lunch
Mary Turley-McGrath
1.15 p.m.
8
Blackstaff Press book launch
Suntrap - Catherine Phil McCarthy
7 p.m.
14
Irish Writers’ Centre : Readings
Georgy Pryakhin
7 p.m.
21
U.N. World Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Open Day and Readings
2 - 9 p.m.
31 & 1 April
Inaugural Irish Writers’ Centre
Publishers Book Fair
10 a.m.
The Irish Writers’ Centre
19 Parnell Square
Dublin 1
Ireland
Tel: 01 872 1302
Fax: 01 872 6282
info at writerscentre.ie
www.writerscentre.ie <http://www.writerscentre.ie/>
Opening Times
Monday - Friday
10 am - 5 pm
The Irish Writers’ Centre is the premier development agency for writers and writing in Ireland. Established in 1991, the Centre has provided a platform and created opportunities for a plethora of authors working in both the English and Irish languages, and continues to nurture an emerging generation of writers. This it does through a range of developmental and support services, and the provision of promotional platforms for the benefit of writers and writing in Ireland.
fromthecentre
The Centre also produces a hard copy newsletter that is published bi-monthly. If you would like to receive a copy of this please email your name, and address to info at writerscentre.ie and putting “newsletter application” in the subject line.
Fromthecentre is published in email format weekly by the Irish Writers' Centre
19 Parnell Sq, Dublin 1
To subscribe or unsubscribe to Fromthecentre please go to:http://tara.clearlight.com/mailman/listinfo/fromthecentre
Items to be included in From the Centre should be sent to: The Editor, >From The Centre, email: info at writerscentre.ie
Dublin
14 January 2007 at 8 p.m.
Theo Dorgan
Presented by Poetry Ireland in association with Stonecoast in Ireland
Sea Angling Centre, West Pier, Howth, Co. Dublin
For further information Contact T: 087 909 1724 E: teddeppe2 at hotmail.com
15 January 2007 at 7 p.m.
IWC Writers Group for aspiring writers from Ireland’s minority ethnic communities
The Irish Writers' Centre is currently running a writers group aimed aspiring writers from Ireland’s minority ethnic communities in the Dublin area. Its function will be to develop writing skills and creativity in these categories of people, introduce them to Irish literature and encourage their wider participation in local cultural activities. There's no fee for future participants. The group meets twice a month in the IWC (19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1). Anyone who would like to attend is very welcome to contact tutor, poet and writer Anthony Anatoly Kudryavitsky, at akudryavitsky at hotmail.com or the Irish Writers' Centre, 01 872 1302 or info at writerscentre.ie
17 January 2007 at 7 p.m.
New Writers’ Forum
There are many writers out there who go unheard despite submitting several pieces of their work to magazines or book publishers. There are also many writers’ circles offering opportunities to read work and provide constructive criticism. The New Writers’ Forum is a gathering of Dublin-based writers that aims to offer unpublished writers a support platform for sharing ideas and learning and an opportunity to network. The group meets in the Irish Writers’ Centre on every second Wednesday starting in the New Year from 17 January at 7 p.m. There is no membership fee, and all interested aspiring writers are welcome. For further information please contact the Centre on: (01) 872 1302.
24 January 2007 at 6 p.m.
Paula Meehan
Presented by Poetry Ireland in association with St. Patrick's College
Room B103, St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra Dublin 7
For further information E: Sharon.King at sdp.dcu.ie
24 January 2007 at 7 p.m.
Irish Writers’ Centre : Readings
Yuyutsu RD Sharma & Cathal Ó Searcaigh
As part of our readings series the Irish Writers’ Centre welcomes Yuyutsu RD Sharma & Cathal Ó Searcaigh to the centre. Yuyutsu RD Sharma is one of Nepal’s leading poets and translators. Recipient of fellowships and grants from The Rockefeller Foundation, Irish Literature Exchange, Sahitya Academy, The Institute for the Translation of Hebrew Literature and The Foundation for the Production and Translation of Dutch Literature. He has published six collections of poetry, including The Lake Fewa and a Horse: Poems New (Nirala, 2005), a picture book, www.WayToEverest.de: A Photographic and Poetic Journey to the Foot of Everest, (Epsilonmedia, Germany, 2006) (with German photographer Andreas Stimm) and Kathmandu, his translations of new and selected poems by Cathal O' Searcaigh, published in English and Nepali in 2006. He has also translated and edited numerous anthologies of contemporary Nepali poetry in English. The Library of Congress nominated his book of Nepali translations, Roaring Recitals; Five Nepali Poets, Best Asian Book of the Year 2001 in its World of Books: International Perspectives series. Born at Nakodar, Punjab and educated at Baring Union Christian College, Batala and Rajasthan University, Jaipur, Yuyutsu’s own work has been translated into German, French, Italian, Hebrew, Spanish and Dutch. He lives in Kathmandu where he edits Pratik, A Magazine of Contemporary Writing and contributes literary columns to Nepal’s leading dailies, The Himalayan Times and The Kathmandu Post. He has nearly completed his first novel.
Cathal Ó Searcaigh has been described by The Irish Times as ‘one of Ireland’s finest working poets.’ He has received numerous honours, including the Seán Ó Riordáin Award, The Irish Times Literary Award and, in recognition of his unique contribution to Irish-language Literature, an Honorary Doctorate in Celtic Studies from the National University of Ireland. He lives in Donegal and Kathmandu. In the Irish Writers’ Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, 01 872 1032
31 January 2007 at 1 p.m.
The Scribblers Corner
A New Lunchtime Writing Hour. A new group is starting on the 31 January 2007, and will meet at lunchtime, 1pm – 2pm, every week on Wednesdays. The aim is to gather writers together for a short writing session. It will run for approximately 1 hour, and all that is needed is a pen and paper. Each week a different topic or theme will be given to the group and then those present will freewrite for 15 – 20 minutes. After this time each individual will be asked to read his or her work out. Everyone will be given time to read but please note that there will be no feedback on work created during these sessions. The aim of the group is to allow those present to hear other writers voices on a common topic in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. This is a free event, open to anyone who wishes to attend, and will be held in the Irish Writers Centre. All are welcome but please be prompt as late arrivals cannot be accommodated. For more information please contact the centre on 01 872 1302 or info at writerscentre.ie
1 February 2007 at 6.30 p.m.
Bliain an Bhandé / Year of the Goddess, Poems in Irish by Gabriel Rosenstock
with English translations by the author will be launched on Thursday 01 February 2007 at the Unitarian Church, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2 at 6.30 pm www.dedaluspress.com <http://www.dedaluspress.com/>
17 February 2007
CLÉ Biennial Conference – Towards A National Book Policy
CLÉ is delighted to announce that the biennial Conference will be taking place on Saturday, 17 February 2007. The conference will focus on the need to move towards the formulation of a national book policy. This theme will be set in the context of a changing Irish culture. Canadian Publishing Consultant, Roy MacSkimming, Literary Agent, Robert Kirby and Author & Journalist Conor O’Clery will be among the expert speakers at the conference. Note the date in your diary now! Further details on the conference will be available in the New Year. For information contact info at publishingireland.com
17 February 2007
Booksellers' Association Dinner Dance
cmaloney at easonwholesale.com, brendan at interbooksirl.com
1 March 2007 at 7 p.m.
World Book Day
Readings will be held on the centre to celebrate World Book Day. The centre will be open so that people can also visit the new resources centre and see the facilities that the Irish Writers’ Centre has to offer.
Irish Writers’ Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, 01 872 1302, www.writerscentre.ie <http://www.writerscentre.ie/>
8 March at 7 p.m.
Blackstaff Press book launch
Suntrap - Catherine Phil McCarthy
Irish Writers’ Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, 01 872 1302 www.wrtierscentre.ie <http://www.wrtierscentre.ie/>
14 March 2007 at 7 p.m.
Irish Writers’ Centre : Readings
Georgy Pryakhin
As part of our readings series the Irish Writers’ Centre welcomes Georgy Pryahin, the esteemed Russian writer, Member of the Academy of Russian Literature, holder of the Pushkin Medal and the 'Golden Pen' Award', and personal advisor to Mikhail Gorbachev when he was in power. Irish Writers’ Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, 01 872 1302 www.wrtierscentre.ie <http://www.wrtierscentre.ie/>
15 March 2007
Irish Book Awards 2007
Following on from the great success of the first Irish Book Awards of 2006, see www.hughesbooks.com <http://www.hughesbooks.com/getsource.asp?src=awards_1.htm&srcl=awards_sidebar.htm> , the organisers are pleased to announce that from 2007, The Irish Book Awards will include new awards and will be enhanced dramatically in terms of promotion and profile. The Awards for 2007 will include:
- The Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of The Year Award
- Argosy Libraries Irish Non-fiction Book of the Year Award
- The Club Energise Sports Book of the Year
- The Lifetime Achievement Award
- The People's Choice Award.
The awards night will this year be held on 15 March 2007. Please contact Bert Wright, IBAS,
email: bwcc at eircom.net, for more information.
21 March 2007
United Nations World Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Open Day and Readings
On 21 March 2007, after last years successful readings, the Centre will be holding another set of readings to coincide with the U.N. World day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Anyone wishing to participate in this event and open day at the centre is advised to contact the centre as soon as possible.
Irish Writers’ Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, 01 872 1032,
31 March – 1 April 2007
Inaugural Irish Writers’ Centre Publishers Book Fair 2007
The Irish Writers’ Centre is delighted to announce the first in a series of publishers’ book fairs to be held in the centre. The fair will be held on 31 March & 1 April 2007. These fairs are aimed at small to medium sized publishers, giving them a platform to show the titles and the range of publications that is on offer. The weekend will include readings and book launches with something for every taste. Publishers wishing to have a stand are invited to contact the Irish Writers’ Centre to reserve a place. Irish Writers’ Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, 01 872 1032
Around The Country
Galway
Over The Edge
Each month, Over the Edge puts the spotlight on emerging poets and fiction writers. The monthly Over The Edge: Open Readings in Galway City Library have three Featured Readers and sessions end with an open mic, where anyone can get in on the act. The popular series has hosted readings by the likes of Medbh McGuckian, Kevin Kiely, Mike McCormack, Paul Perry & Michael D. Higgins reading alongside emerging writers. Over The Edge is co-organised by Galway-based writers Kevin Higgins and Susan Millar DuMars (MC). Each year the Cuirt International Festival of Literature hosts an Over The Edge showcase reading at which four emerging writers are showcased. Those interested in a featured spot at Over The Edge should send three poems or one short story, no more than 2,000 words, to Over The Edge, 3 Carbry Road, Newcastle, Galway., tel. 087 6431748 or e-mail kphiggins at hotmail.com.
25 January 2007 at 6.30 p.m.
Over The Edge celebrates fourth birthday with reading by Todd Swift
The first Over The Edge: Open Reading of 2007 takes place in Galway City Library, St. Augustine Street, Galway on Thursday, January 25th, 6.30-8pm.The Featured Readers are Elaine Feeney, Mary Mullen & Todd Swift. The reading is a special occasion for co-organisers, Susan Millar DuMars and
Kevin Higgins, as it is the fourth anniversary of the series, which began in January 2003.
Elaine Feeney was born in Galway in 1979. She teaches English at St. Patrick’s College, Tuam. She has performed and read her poetry at various readings and festivals, including the Cuirt Festival Poetry Slam. Elaine has poems forthcoming in both The Shop and Nthposition.com. According to 2005 Patrick Kavanagh Award Winner, Dave Lordan: “Her performances are notable for their fearless confrontation with the controversial truth of women’s lives in the new Ireland.”
Mary Mullen is an Alaskan-born writer who has lived in County Galway for the last decade. Her work has been published in We Alaskans, Sunday Miscellany 2003-2004, The Stinging Fly, the Cork Literary Review, Galway Now, West47online, the Anchorage Daily News, and a chapbook ‘The Whole Building Could Be On Fire’. She is working on a collection of personal history essays and short stories. Mary is a graduate of NUIG’s MA in Writing.
Todd Swift is the Canadian-born author of three poetry collections, Budavox, Café Alibi and Rue du Regard. He currently lives in London. Todd is an editor of many poetry anthologies, including 100 Poets Against The War. He also compiled the recent audio CD Life Lines: Poets for Oxfam. His latest publication is Natural Curve, a pamphlet of poems from Rubicon Press, Alberta. He has co-edited a major collection of essays on Anglo-Quebec Poetry, Language Acts, to be launched spring 2007 in Montreal. His New and Selected Poems, 1987-2007, edited with an Introduction by Kevin Higgins, is forthcoming from Salmon Publishing in 2008.
As usual there will be an open-mic when the Featured Readers have finished. This is open to anyone who has a poem or story to share. New readers are especially welcome. The MC for the evening will be Susan Millar DuMars.
25 January 2007 at 8pm
Terry Mc Donagh (with piper Diarmaid Moynihan)
Presented by Poetry Ireland in association with friends of Cole Park
Cool Park Visitor Centre, Gort, County Galway
For further information T: 091 631804 E: info at coolepark.ie
26 January 2007 at 8 p.m.
Macdara Woods
On Friday, January 26th, starting at 8.pm. Macdara Woods, Aosdána poet and founder of the literary magazine, ‘Cyphers’, will read from his work at The Imperial Hotel, Eyre Square, Galway. Admission is €8 and €5.
Born in Dublin in 1942, he has been publishing his work since the early 1960s. His poetry collections include Decimal D. Sec Drinks in a Bar in Marrakesh (1970); Early Morning Matins (1973); Stopping the Lights in Ranelagh (1987); Miz Moon (1988); The Hanged Man Was Not Surrendering (1990); Notes From the Countries of Blood-Red Flowers (1994); Selected Poems (1996); Knowledge in the Blood: New & Selected Poems (2001) and The Nightingale Water (2001). His work has been translated into more than one dozen languages. Two books of his poems have been published in Italian, Biglietto di Sola Andata (1998) and Con Pesaro ai Miei Piedi (1999), which included an audio CD with readings by the author and music by the Italian group Militia. Details of the reading can be obtained from the Western Writers' Centre, 091.533595, or westernwriters at eircom.net Please include address and/or 'phone number with e-mail requests. Also see our website at www.twwc.ie <http://www.twwc.ie/> The event is supported by Poetry Ireland. The Centre is supported by the Arts Council and Galway City and County Councils.
North Beach Nights
Galway poetry slam with a featured Writer, takes place in BK's Winebar, Spanish Parade, Galway, monthly on a Thursday @ 9pm. There is an entrance fee of €4 on the night to cover running expenses, and all poets, readers and performers are welcome. Participants require 2 three-minute pieces to compete for the honour of victory and a bottle of red wine donated by BK's Winebar. For further details, tel. John Walsh at 091 593290 or e-mail kphiggins at hotmail.com
Limerick
17 January 2007 at 9 p.m.
White House Poetry Revival
Launch of issue 2 of Revival plus the Belfast Poets Touring Group.
It's going to be a busy night at the White House Pub next Wednesday the 17th Jan. as the launch of issue 2 of the WhiteHousePoets chapbook 'Revival' takes place prior to an appearance by the Belfast Poets Touring Group, who bring their enormousely entertaining show to Limerick for the first time.
'Revival' was launched to great fanfare last October during Cuisle International Poetry Festival. The poetry journal is set to continue with another bumper issue featuring poets from the US, England and a selection of local poets. A number of poets whose work appears in the new journal will read on the night and patrons are urged to get there early as the night will start promptly at 9.00pm in order to make way for the exciting show from the Belfast Poets later in the evening.
The Belfast Poets have for some time now been breaking new ground for people living in Northern Ireland and, of course, new ground for the Belfast Poets. Recently back from Australia and since then they have organised the Love Poetry Hate Islamophobia show with added music and visuals - also the Love Music Hate Racism show in Derry - Gordon Hewitt, spokesman for the group said "that it probably was one of the best shows we have done and more the kind of show you might see in Australia - with us, dance/jungle DJ's and a brilliant Nigerian band called Talking Drum playing Nigerian rebel music - good crowd and very receptive to us - it was so quiet that even the bar staff were putting the ice in the glasses "gently" while we were on - a good sign". They are now embarking on a tour of the island - Ireland and Northern Ireland - 6 shows in 9 days - their real aim is to link up all the disparate groups of poets around the island and to build a circuit that can be utilised to create avenues to work with people who at present work in isolation from each other. They will also be organising more Love Poetry Hate Racism shows throughout the year but intend to to put on a big event in April with which they want to involve everyone wherever they are. Come what may they will be aiming to perform regularly the rest of the year. You can catch the Belfast Poets this Wed 17th Jan only at the White House Pub, Limerick. Get there early. As usual the reading is preceded by an open mic session in which anyone who wishes to read is invited to do so. Complementary finger food is provided and proceeding commence at 9.00 pm.
For further information contact Barney Sheehan at 086 8657494 or Dominic Taylor at 087 2996409
Email whitehousepoets at eircom.net Website http://www.limerick.com/whitehousepoets/ Blog http://whitehousepoets.blogspot.com/
24 January 2007 at 9 p.m.
White House Poetry Revival
Todd Swift
Born in Montreal in 1966 Swift has lived in Budapest and Paris, and is now based in London (UK). He took an MA in Creative Writing at the University Of East Anglia (UEA) where his tutors were Denise Riley and George Szirtes. He lectures part-time in English and Creative Writing at Kingston University and is a Core Tutor with The Poetry School. He has been the Oxfam GB Poet in Residence (a position he developed with Arts Council England) since 2004 and hosts the Oxfam Poetry Series. His poetry has appeared widely in publications such as The Guardian, Jacket, New American Writing, Poetry Review, The Shop and Vallum. His reviews have appeared in Books in Canada, The Globe and Mail and Poetry London, among others. His poetry appears in the major anthologies Open Field (Persea, 2005) edited by Sina Queyras and The New Canon (Véhicule, 2005) edited by Carmine Starnino. His poetry collections, all from DC Books, Montreal, are Budavox (1999), Café Alibi (2002) and Rue du Regard (2004). With composer Tom Walsh he created the CD Swifty Lazarus: The Envelope, Please (Wired On Words, 2002). He is the
editor of numerous poetry anthologies, including 100 Poets Against The War (Salt, 2003) and the audio CD Life Lines: Poets for Oxfam. He is poetry editor of online magazine nth position. He is co-editor (with Jason Camlot) of Language Acts (Véhicule), the first study of Anglo-Quebec poetry in 40 years, to be launched April 2007. He is currently editing The Carcanet Book of 20th Canadian Verse. As usual the reading is preceded by an open mic session in which anyone who wishes to read is invited to do so. Complementary finger food is provided and proceeding commence at 9.00 pm.
For further information contact Barney Sheehan at 086 8657494 or Dominic Taylor at 087 2996409
Email whitehousepoets at eircom.net Website http://www.limerick.com/whitehousepoets/ Blog http://whitehousepoets.blogspot.com/
Literature Festivals, Fairs and Events
Literature Festivals in Ireland 2007
26 – 28 January 2007
Yeats Winter School
The Yeats Winter School is designed as an interlude, which allows the visitor the opportunity to learn more about W. B. Yeats against the backdrop of the places - from Benbulben to Lissadell - which inspired his poetry. Phone: +353 (0)71 9142693,
1 - 4 February 2007
The Caomhnú Literary Festival
Over four days the festival will address the themes of Landscape and A sense of place. The festival will include exhibitions, readings, lectures, master classes, rehearsed readings by actors of Livin Dred Theatre Company, performances and a youth arts programme. The Festival will feature the likes of Aideen Barry, Heather Brett, Tom Conaty, Evelyn Conlon, Shane Connaughton, Dermot Healy, Rita Kelly, Noel Monahan and Rebecca O Connor. For further information, please contact Aoife Reilly, Arts Administrator, Cavan Arts Office T: 049 4378548
2 – 4 February 2007
The Wild Geese Festival of Literature
The festival, hosted by the Write! Down collective, is a partnership project with the Down Arts Centre, and will be one of a necklace of festivals of literature in the north of Ireland, linking Strangford to writing festivals from Rathlin to Gortahork, Co. Donegal. Festival programme includes:
Meeting and showcase of local talent and writers (Fri, 2nd Feb, 8.30-10pm) at the Hole in the Wall in Strangford. Workshops (Sat, 3rd February, 11-1pm & 3.30-5.30pm) with renowned writers Cathal Ó’Searcaigh, Kate Newmann and Damian Smyth. Workshops sponsored by the Down Arts Centre and open to all but book in advance. Evening Event: For Janek (Sat, 3rd Feb, 8.00 pm, The Church, Old Court) with Cathal Ó’Searcaigh, Joan Newmann, Damian Smyth, Kate Newmann, Heather Newcombe, and local performers, Brigid O’Neill, Joan McEldowney, Kevin Kearney. Admission by ticket only (Donation £5 minimum). This unique event is being held to fund a scholarship for Janek, a gifted Nepalese poet, to visit Ireland in Autumn 2007. All donations go to this fund. Book early - the church holds a max of 120. Tickets from Kevin Óg’s, The Square, Strangford. Phone 028 (048 from Republic of Ireland) 44881377. - Festival conclusion (Sun, 4th Feb, 11am) at The Church, Old Court, Strangford with Reverend Brian Smeaton, Church of Ireland minister and poet. Everyone welcome. For further information updates & to book your workshop place please contact Write! Down at: writedown2005 at yahoo.co.uk
23 – 15 February 2007
18th Colmcille Winter School
Weekend long festival including a guided scenic walk, guest speakers from the Irish Times and Donegal County Council, Conference dinner etc. Phone: +353 (0)74 9137044, Location: Letterkenny - Leitir Ceanainn
1 March 2007
World Book Day
The 10th Birthday of World Book Day in the UK and Ireland in 2007. Over this relatively short period World Book Day has become firmly established as the biggest annual event promoting the enjoyment of books and reading. http://www.worldbookday.com/
2 – 4 March 2007
Ennis Book Club Festival
The festival offers an ideal opportunity for comparing notes and chatting with other Book Club members from all over the country. Phone: +353 (0)87 9723647
10 – 11 March 2007
P-Con IV
P-Con IV, Irelands premier science fiction and fantasy convention, are delighted to announce that Kim Newman will be the Guest of Honour at P-Con IV, the fourth Phoenix Convention, which is being held over the weekend of the 10th and 11th of March 2007 in Wynn's Hotel, Dublin. Other guests confirmed for the convention include George Green, Paul Kearney, Conor Kostick, Oisin McGann, Juliet E McKenna, Ken MacLeod, Deborah J. Miller, Leah Moore, Peter Morwood, C E Murphy, John Reppion, John W Sexton, Colin Smythe and Charlie Stross. Further details: http://www.slovobooks.com/pcon4/
29 March – 1 April 2007
"Poetry Now" PN07 Festival
In Spring, Poetry Now will celebrate 11 years as one of the foremost Irish & International festivals devoted solely to poetry where international and national celebrated poets gather for readings to celebration contemporary poetry. Phone: +353 (01) 2054873
31 March – 1 April 2007
Inaugural Irish Writers’ Centre Publishers Book Fair 2007
The Irish Writers’ Centre is delighted to announce the first in a series of publishers’ book fairs to be held in the centre. The fair will be held on 31 March & 1 April 2007. These fairs are aimed at small to medium sized publishers, giving them a platform to show the titles and the range of publications that is on offer. The weekend will include readings and book launches with something for every taste. Publishers wishing to have a stand are invited to contact the Irish Writers’ Centre to reserve a place. Irish Writers’ Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, 01 872 1032
10 – 15 April 2007
36th International Pan Celtic Festival 2007
Donegal welcomes our fellow Celts to the 36th Pan Celtic Festival in Letterkenny from 10th - 15th April 2007. The Pan Celtic festival aims to instill, strengthen and exchange our Celtic cultures and........
Phone: +353 (0)87 2834412, Location: Letterkenny - Leitir Ceanainn
12 – 14 April 2007
Belfast Book Fair
A Book Fair will be held at the University of Ulster, Belfast. It takes place from April 12 - 14, 2007 in conjunction with the Association of Art Historians' Annual Conference. Publishers with titles related to the visual arts may be particularly interested in participating. For further information contact Anne MacNeill on A.McNeill1 at ulster.ac.uk
21 – 23 April 2007
Cork World Book Festival
A celebration of books with readings taking place outdoors, music, films, food stalls, children’s workshops. Phone: +353 (0)21 4924900
24 – 29 April 2007
Cúirt International Festival of Literature
Cúirt is an International Festival of Literature
Phone: +353 (0)91 565886, Location: Galway City
4 – 7 May 2007
Strokestown International Poetry Festival
Readings from internationally known poets. Poetry competitions in the English and Irish language, and political satire. Pub poetry and traditional music. Presentation of prizes. Phone: +353 (0)87 2361794
11 – 13 May 2007
Rosscarbery Arts & Literature Festival
The aim of the festival is to provide a platform for all the artistic & creative disciplines while offering an opportunity to experience the artist's way through workshops, talks and discussions.
Phone: +353 (0)87 6783842
30 May – 3 June 2007
Listowel Writer's Week - Writer's Week
A celebration of the works of great local, national and international writers at this annual literary festival, with workshops for adults and children. Phone: +353 (0)68 21074
2 – 3 June 2007
Riverstown Vintage Festival
The Sligo Vintage Festival includes vintage displays, traditional crafts, music, dance, drama, readings, poetry and traditional cooking of foods. A great atmosphere to be had and a fun day out for.....
Phone: +353 (0)87 9855274, Location: Riverstown - Baile idir Dhá Abhainn
June 2007 - Dates to be confirmed
Dublin Writer's Festival
The Dublin Writers Festival has grown from a celebration of contemporary Irish writing into a fully fledged international festival. Phone: +353 (01) 2225455
15 – 17 June 2007
The Allingham Experience
A festival to celebrate the life and works of the writer and poet William Allingham and his sisters renowned for their art. Phone: +353 (0)71 9852823, Location: Ballyshannon - Béal Átha Seanaidh
June 2007 - Dates to be confirmed
Immrama, Lismore Festival of Travel Writing
The Lismore Festival of Travel writing takes place in June each year. The Festival will include three very full days of arts, music and cultural activities for all interests and ages music, literature, readings, theatre performances street and indoor. Film exhibitions are the main components of this event which is augmented by ancillary events in other areas of mainstream literature.
Phone: +353 058 53365, Location: Lismore - Lios Mor
June 2007 - Dates to be confirmed
Erris Literary Festival
The Erris Literary Festival (Féile Litríochta Iorrais) celebrates the centenery of playwright, John Millington Synge's stay in Erris. Phone: +353 (0)97 83568, Location: Belmullet -
8 – 13 July 2007
West Cork Literary Festival
The festival aims to bring the best and most inspiring literary figures to an audience in West Cork. Phone: +353 (0)27 55645, Location: Bantry - Beanntraí
July 2007 - Dates to be confirmed
MacGill Summer School & Arts Week 2007
The MacGill Summer School celebrates its twenty-fifth birthday this year not by looking back over the past quarter of a century since its foundation but by looking forward to another quarter of a cent. Phone: +353 (0)74 9551103, Location: Glenties - Na Gleannta
21 July – 17 August 2007
48th Yeats International Summer School & Yeats Festival
The Yeats International Summer School is now in it's 48th year, and has become one of the most prestigious in Europe, attracting students from around the world. Phone: +353 (0)71 9142693, Location: Sligo Town - Sligeach
July 2007 - Dates to be confirmed
Raglan Road Festival @ Patrick Kavanagh Centre
Taking as its title Kavanagh''s most famous ballad, The Raglan Road Festival is a celebration of music, poetry, theatre and song to be held in the poet''s native Inniskeen. Phone: +353 (0)42 9378560, Location: Inniskeen - Inis Tióg
July 2007 - Dates to be confirmed
Patrick Kavanagh Writer's Weekend
This workshop weekend in prose/fiction writing is aimed at improvers or those with a body or work which they wish to be critiqued. Phone: +353 (0)42 9375860, Location: Inniskeen - Inis Tióg
July 2007 - Dates to be confirmed
Ledwidge Day
A day celebrating the works of Meath’s First World War poet Francis Ledwidge both in Ledwidge Cottage and around the village of Slane. Phone: +353 (0)41 9824544, Location: Slane - Baile Shláine
3 – 12 August 2007
August Féile
Mostly free literature festival bringing world-renowned authors and speakers to west Belfast for 10 days of debates, discussions, talks, music and street parties. Féile an Phobail, Belfast +44 (0)28-9031 3440 feilebelfast.com <http://feilebelfast.com/>
September 2007 - Dates to be confirmed
Scriobh Literary Festival
Held at the Model Arts and Niland Gallery, the prestigious Scriobh Literary Festival, now in its twelth year, has established a reputation for attracting a fascinating array of writers. Phone: +353 (0)71 9141405, Location: Sligo Town - Sligeach
September 2007 - Dates to be confirmed
Frank O'Connor International Festival of the Short Story
The festival celebrates the genius of Frank O'Connor and the literary form which made him famous. It is the world's only annual English speaking festival dedicated to the short story.
Phone: +353 (0)21 4312955, Location: Cork City - Corcaigh
September 2007 - Dates to be confirmed
Athlone Literary Festival
Athlone Literary Weekend formally The John Broderick Weekend.
Phone: +353 (0)90 6478531
28 – 30 September 2007
Dromineer Literary Festival
A winter literary festival celebrating the best in local and national literary talent in all it's forms. Phone: +353 87 6908099
September 2007 - Dates to be confirmed
Writers Weekend, Arnolds Hotel
Ever dreamed of writing an article for a magazine or newspaper, a family history, or even a book but don't know how to go about it? Or have you written something which you would like to see in print,.......
Phone: +353 (0)74 9136208, Location: Dunfanaghy - Dun Fionnachaidh
October 2007 - Dates to be confirmed
Story-telling in Slieve Bloom
The Slieve Blooms, a landscape of mountains, valleys, glens, waterfalls, ancient raths and medieval castles, in the green heart of Ireland, rich in music and folklore, is an ideal setting for a festival of storytelling, music, dance and song. Location: North Offaly - Uíbh Fhailí Thuaidh
17 – 21 October 2007
Cuisle - Limerick International Poetry Festival
This year is the 11th Cuisle, Limerick City International Poetry festival and will take place. Phone: +353 61 407421, Location: Limerick City Centre
October 2007 - Dates to be confirmed
South Tipperary Writer's Festival
Readings, workshops and debates with national and internationally known authors. Also includes annual Sterne Lecture and START chapbook competition. Phone: +353 (0)52 2787 Location: Clonmel
26 – 28 October
Samhain International Poetry Festival
The highest prize worldwide for a haiku - €7,000. Workshops, master classes, and concerts hosted by Cathal O'Searacigh. Phone: +353 (0)74 9135300, Location: Gortahork - Gort An Choirce
November 2007 - Dates to be confirmed
Annual Patrick Kavanagh Weekend
This event celebrates the life and work of Inniskeens most illustrious son and attracts visitors form all over Ireland and overseas. Phone: +353 (0)42 9378560
Literary Festivals in Britain 2007
A list of some of the book and reading festivals happening in Britain this year.
10 -11 February 2007
Festival at the Edge
A fascinating and unique festival of storytelling at Much Wenlock near Shrewsbury, with international storytellers in performance, music, comedy, poetry and related arts. Many events over the weekend are free. +441939 236626, festivalattheedge.org <http://festivalattheedge.org/>
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<data:%20show%20next%20article> 14 – 18 March 2007
StAnza: Scotland's Poetry Festival
This St Andrews gathering is the only regular festival dedicated to poetry in Scotland. stanzapoetry.org <http://stanzapoetry.org/>
20 – 25 March 2007
Oxford Literary Festival
In 2007 the Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary and will again be at Christ Church. www.sundaytimes-oxfordliteraryfestival.co.uk <http://www.sundaytimes-oxfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/>
March 2007
Essex Book Festival
A month-long free community festival bringing readers and writers together throughout the county, with many events in libraries. +441245 244953 / +441206 573948, essexbookfestival.org.uk <http://essexbookfestival.org.uk/>
16 – 18 April 2007
London Book Fair
The London Book Fair is the leading Spring forum for booksellers, publishers, librarians and worldwide. Ideally timed to provide you with a concentrated 3 day trading and educational platform giving you access to the world’s books, real business contacts and shared knowledge. Earls Court, www.londonbookfair.co.uk <http://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/>
11 – 20 May 2007
Lincoln Book Festival
Alice in Wonderland looks set to be a strong theme in this year's festival, which includes free readings, children's events, one-to-one writers' surgeries and the popular Lincolnshire Literary Day, offering a chance to meet and chat with authors and publishers. +441522 873844 www.lincolnbookfestival.co.uk <http://www.lincolnbookfestival.co.uk/>
11 – 13 May 2007
Word: University Of Aberdeen Writers' Festival
Word attracts more than 50 authors to King's College in May for a weekend of readings, lectures, debates, music, art exhibitions and film screenings. All events taking place on campus are free of charge. +441224 273726, www.abdn.ac.uk/word
14 – 20 May 2007
Writing On The Wall
An annual, not-for-profit festival in Liverpool that celebrates writing, diversity, storytelling and humour. Guest writers confirmed so far for this year's event include Benjamin Zephaniah, John Belchem and Gordon Bowker. Almost all events are free. +44151-707 4313, writingonthewall.org.uk <http://writingonthewall.org.uk/>
17 May - 1 June 2007: Spring festival
Countrybookshop Peak Festival
Free events make up about a quarter of this festival, which takes place in the bookshop and other venues. Readings, talks and a chance to meet authors.
Countrybookshop, Hassop Station nr Bakewell, Derbyshire +441629 816701
countrybookshop.co.uk/peakfestival
24 May – 3 June 2007
The Guardian Hay Festival
Hay is a tiny market town in the Brecon Beacons National Park, It has 1500 people and 41 bookshops. The Festival is a spectacular holiday party for friends to gather and indulge their tastes for the finest books, food, drink, comedy, music, art, argument and literature. http://www.hayfestival.com/
May 2007
Lambeth Readers and Writers Festival
Free month-long festival of reading and writing taking place in libraries throughout Lambeth each May. Event includes authors' talks and readers' and writers' workshops.+4420-7926 1056, lambeth.gov.uk <http://lambeth.gov.uk/>
2 – 9 June 2007
Brockley Max Festival
Brockley's free early summer festival is a week-long feast of art exhibitions, poetry, dance, theatre, comedy and music. Includes events for children. brockleymax.co.uk <http://brockleymax.co.uk/>
16 – 24 June 2007
Broadstairs Dickens Festival
70th anniversary of the famous festival on the Kent coast inspired by the works of Charles Dickens, with literature events, Victorian parades, a cricket match and music hall entertainment. Around half of the events are free. broadstairsdickensfestival.co.uk <http://broadstairsdickensfestival.co.uk/>
11 – 27 August 2007
Edinburgh International Book Festival
The world's largest celebration of the written word includes free events for adults and children, including the annual Amnesty International imprisoned writers series. edbookfest.co.uk <http://edbookfest.co.uk/>
28 September – 14 October 2007
Ilkley Literature Festival
Major literature festival that includes a free festival fringe of over a dozen events, including poetry events, readings and music performances. +441943 601210 (info), +441943 816714 (box office), ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk <http://ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/>
September 2007
Hackney Word Festival
Mostly free literature festival bringing writing talent to venues and stages throughout Hackney. Free outdoor events confirmed for 2007 include a Poetry Street in Dalston and the Field of Words, an installation combining writing and photography in London Fields. +4420-7249 6572, centerpriseliterature.com <http://centerpriseliterature.com/>
18 – 28 October 2007: Autumn festival
Countrybookshop Peak Festival
Free events make up about a quarter of this festival, which takes place in the bookshop and other venues. Readings, talks and a chance to meet authors.
Countrybookshop, Hassop Station nr Bakewell, Derbyshire +441629 816701
countrybookshop.co.uk/peakfestival
19 – 21 October 2007
TipOfYourTongue
Arts festival in Penzance, Cornwall, with a mission to make poetry accessible and interesting to everyone. All the daytime events during the weekend-long celebration are free, including poetry karaoke, stalls and performance events. +441736 365520 , acorn-theatre.co.uk <http://acorn-theatre.co.uk/>
October 2007
The Word's Out!
Celebration of reading for all tastes and ages at Perth's annual literary festival.
+441738 444949, thewordsout.org.uk <http://thewordsout.org.uk/>
October 2007
Manchester Literature Festival
The programme features readings by international authors, newly commissioned work and a series of events exploring the crossover between new technology and literature. Many events are free. +44161-236 5725, manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk <http://manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk/>
October 2007
Off The Shelf
Sheffield plays host to one of the largest literary festivals in the north of England, with appearances from major authors and plenty of activities for kids. Includes free community events — check the online programme later in the year. +44114-273 4400, www.offtheshelf.org.uk <http://www.offtheshelf.org.uk/>
October 2007
Wellington Town Council Literary Festival
Wellington's annual literature festival is a month of free literary events, including talks by national and local authors, reading group discussions and a scriptwriting workshop. Several events take place in schools. Wellington Town Council, Telford, +44 1952 567697, wellington-shropshire.gov.uk <http://wellington-shropshire.gov.uk/>
October 2007
Arts Alive Festival
A month-long cultural celebration in Surrey, with more than 70 events covering everything from art exhibitions and literary events to dance and music performances. Many events are free, with a only a nominal charge for the few paying events. +441306 879188 molevalley.gov.uk/leisure
Late October-early November 2007
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Guests from all over the world in venues across Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Scottish Borders. Includes many free events. +44131-556 9579 (box office), scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk <http://scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk/>
2 – 4 November 2007
Aldeburgh International Poetry Festival
International celebration of contemporary poetry with guest poets from around the world descending on this quiet Suffolk spot. Around a third of the events are free. aldeburghpoetryfestival.org <http://aldeburghpoetryfestival.org/>
European and Worldwide Book Fairs and Events 2007
March 23 to 28: Salon du Livre, www.salondulivreparis.com
April 24 to 28: Bologna Children's Book Fair, www.bookfair.bolognafiere.it <http://www.bookfair.bolognafiere.it/index.asp?m=52&l=2&ma=3>
June 1 to 3: Book Expo America, New York, www.bookexpoamerica.com
October 10 to 14: Frankfurt Book Fair, www.frankfurt-book-fair.com
Conferences
The 4th World Haiku Association Conference (WHAC4)
Theme: Haiku beyond Differences
Date: 14-16 September 2007
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Venue: Suigetsu Hotel Ohgaisou & Meiji University Liberty Tower
Scheduled Programme
Friday 14 September: Welcome Party (Short Speech & Haiku Reading)
Saturday 15 September: WHA Meeting, Speech 1~6 “Haiku beyond Differences”,
Presentation of International Haiku Publication,
Haiku Contest Results & Haiku Reading
Sunday 16 September Walking around Ueno & Farewell Haiku Reading
For more information, visit the WHA website at http://www.worldhaiku.net/ <data:%20show%20next%20article> <data:%20show%20previous%20article> Previous
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