Literary Events

The Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators welcomes both new and established writers to share ideas, experiences, tips and advice - SCBWI meets on the last Saturday of each month at 2.30pm at Children's Books Ireland headquarters - 17 North Great George's Street, Dubln 1

Sean O'Faolain shortlist
Congratulations to Colm Keegan, one of only two Irish writers shortlisted in the Sean O'Faolain Short Story Award for his story Nighttime Crackle

Molly Keane Short Story Award Winner
Congratulations to Susan Knight, winner of the eleventh annual Molly Keane Memorial Creative Writing Award 2008 for her story It’s hard to die in Springtime’
Full details and photo of the winner....

Susan - winner of 2007's Bryan MacMahon Short Story Award - recently published her third novel Gomorrah. A blackly comic fable of modern times, the book also contains 46 wonderful black and white illustrations by acclaimed Polish artist, Marta Wakula. See Fairground Press Website for further details.

Marta Wakula's cover for Gomorrah

Various festivals around the country, next 6 months
ireland.ie - the tourism website - have a long list of literary events on their website. Check their link regularly for news and updates

The Irish Writers Centre website details literary events and competitions. Updated regularly.

Forthcoming Literary/Poetry Awards

Aeon Award for Short Stories - Closes 30th November
This award accepts entries from all over the world, up to 8000 words and runs in four rounds, closing March 31, June 30, September 30 and November 30.

Davy Byrnes Irish Writing Award 2009 - closes 2nd February 2009
Davy Byrnes is to repeat its very successful short story award - last run in 2004 and won by this year's Booker Prize winner, Anne Enright for Honey. With a top prize of €25,000 making it the world's richest prize for a single short story, the competition will be judged by Richard Ford, acclaimed novelist and short story writer. Entries will be accepted from 1st October 2008.

Fish Publishing Prizes - various closing dates - several in March
Fish Publishing now has quite a number of short story contests. To the original Fish Short Story Prize, has been added the Fish Knife, the One Page Short Story (a challenge at 250-300 words) as well as the Fish International Poetry Prize and others.

Sunday Tribune Hennessy Literary Awards - ongoing (The link is to the Sunday Tribune main section)
The Sunday Tribune's New Irish Writing is edited by chief critic, Ciaran Carty and is published on the first Sunday of each month. The awards are open to Irish writers or those normally resident in Ireland. All stories published are eligible for Hennessy Literary Awards. Stories should not exceed 2,500 words. Up to 6 poems may be submitted. Work (enclosing SAE) should be addressed to: New Irish Writing, Sunday Tribune, 15 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2

Other literary awards...

Irish Writers Centre's newsletter From the Centre lists many competitions, bursaries, awards

Story - a website dedicated to the short story - lists a host of short story awards.