Writing.ie Online Writing Magazine

Irish Bestsellers 28th February 2026 Welcome to this week's Irish bestselling books, where World Book Day is sending sales surging and dominating the Top 20 – but there are a few other books doing very well too, including Finding Joy: Words to Capture the Beauty of Ordinary Life by Dearbhla Mescal at no. 6 (and don't we all need some of these at the minute), …

Irish Bestsellers 28th February 2026

Welcome to this week's Irish bestselling books, where World Book Day is sending sales surging and dominating the Top 20 – but there are a few other books doing very well too, including Finding Joy: Words to Capture the Beauty of Ordinary Life by Dearbhla Mescal…

Irish Authors Longlisted for 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction Kit de Waal and Wendy Erskine have been longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction. Kit de Waal's The Best of Everything is a tender and unforgettable story of found family and the long way back from heartbreak. The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine is an astounding novel about intimate histories, class and money - and what being a parent means.

Irish Authors Longlisted for 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction

Kit de Waal and Wendy Erskine have been longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction. Kit de Waal's The Best of Everything is a tender and unforgettable story of found family and the long way back from heartbreak. The Benefactors by…

June Fest National Short Story Competition 2026 Competition deadline: 2nd April 2026 The June Fest National Short Story Competition invites writers aged 18+ from across Ireland to submit original, unpublished work in English. Open to all writers who are residents on the island of Ireland at the time of submission, the competition aims to celebrate the art of storytelling. The story, of 2000 words or fewer, can be on any subject.

June Fest National Short Story Competition 2026

Competition deadline: 2nd April 2026 The June Fest National Short Story Competition invites writers aged 18+ from across Ireland to submit original, unpublished work in English. Open to all writers who are residents on the island of Ireland at the…

Mark Ellis wins Cob and Pen Literary Prize

Mark Ellis has been awarded the very first Cob and Pen Literary Award for Best Crime Fiction of 2025 at the inaugural Bloody Barnes Crime Festival, a standout new prize in the crime fiction world. His winning novel, Death Of An Officer, rose to the top of…

Authentic Child Characters: Really Useful Links by Lucy O’Callaghan Writing authentic child characters requires more than simply shrinking an adult perspective into a smaller body. Children experience the world with intensity, immediacy, and a developing sense of logic that shapes how they speak, think, and react. To create that authenticity, writers must understand how children interpret events differently from adults, how their language reflects their developmental stage, and how their fears, joys, and misunderstandings carry genuine weight.

Authentic Child Characters: Really Useful Links by Lucy O’Callaghan

Writing authentic child characters requires more than simply shrinking an adult perspective into a smaller body. Children experience the world with intensity, immediacy, and a developing sense of logic that shapes how they speak,…

The Ballad of Forsaken Souls: a Novella by James Martin Prendergast I pursued this journey with a purpose: to represent my generation. I wanted to portray what it means to be a teenager. In this novella, I acknowledge the trials we face and the obstacles we all overcome. It’s a celebration of our next generation, who deserve more recognition than they receive. It aims to help people, specifically young adults. I wanted to show them the magic, yet the true real-life impact of a good tale.

The Ballad of Forsaken Souls: a Novella by James Martin Prendergast

I pursued this journey with a purpose: to represent my generation. I wanted to portray what it means to be a teenager. In this novella, I acknowledge the trials we face and the obstacles we all overcome. It’s a celebration of our…

World Book Day: An Post to Donate 40,000 Books An Post is to donate and deliver over 40,000 books to children in hospitals, care settings and Direct Provision Centres for World Book Day on Thursday, 5th March – in partnership with Children’s Books Ireland. Over 40,000 books will be delivered to children who need them most in hospitals, care settings and Direct Provision Centres across the country by An Post for World Book Day, which will take place on Thursday, 5th March.

World Book Day: An Post to Donate 40,000 Books

An Post is to donate and deliver over 40,000 books to children in hospitals, care settings and Direct Provision Centres for World Book Day on Thursday, 5th March – in partnership with Children’s Books Ireland. Over 40,000 books will be delivered to…

The Deflector by Nicole Liang Author Nicole Liang on her fascinating life journey and how she came to write her novel, The Deflector . . . Growing up, I’ve always been intrigued by fantasy and storytelling. Sometime in primary and secondary school, I would make up stories and tell them to my friends during recess, culminating in interactive, choose-your-own-adventure tales where their decisions shaped the plot and determined the ending.

The Deflector by Nicole Liang

Author Nicole Liang on her fascinating life journey and how she came to write her novel, The Deflector . . . Growing up, I’ve always been intrigued by fantasy and storytelling. Sometime in primary and secondary school, I would make up stories and tell them to my…

5 Tips for Creating a Poetry Collection by Marion Lougheed Poet Marion Lougheed with some invaluable tips for putting together and publishing a collection of your poetry. In the last few years, I crafted various versions of what eventually became Baggage Claim (Off Topic Publishing, 2025). I moved poems around, added and cut pieces, changed the title, restructured the concept more than once, and rewrote the dedication. It took time and thought over many months; the effort and delay paid off.

5 Tips for Creating a Poetry Collection by Marion Lougheed

Poet Marion Lougheed with some invaluable tips for putting together and publishing a collection of your poetry. In the last few years, I crafted various versions of what eventually became Baggage Claim (Off Topic Publishing, 2025). I moved…

How to Write a Covering Submission Letter What is the first thing an agent or publisher sees when they open your submission email? Your covering letter… This is your first point of contact with someone who, potentially, has your future in their hand, so make the right impression the first time. The whole industry works on email so ensure your own email address is sensible and easy to find - ideally with your name in it, and check it regularly.

How to Write a Covering Submission Letter

What is the first thing an agent or publisher sees when they open your submission email? Your covering letter… This is your first point of contact with someone who, potentially, has your future in their hand, so make the right impression the first time.…

Health Care in Fiction by Chris Bridges Chris Bridges, author of psychological thriller, The Death Bed, with some top tips when it comes to writing about health care in your fiction . . . I aspired to be a writer from a young age but life doesn’t always like plans. I’d followed the prescribed pathway by working my way through the school library, hoarding notebooks and applying for a place to study an English Literature degree.

Health Care in Fiction by Chris Bridges

Chris Bridges, author of psychological thriller, The Death Bed, with some top tips when it comes to writing about health care in your fiction . . . I aspired to be a writer from a young age but life doesn’t always like plans. I’d followed the prescribed…

Animation to Illustration: Mimi the Dancing Bee by Estrela Lourenço Estrela Lourenço, illustrator of Mimi the Dancing Bee, on her fascinating journey from science to animation to storyboarding and on to writing and illustrating children's books. I think I’m one of those people that just can’t stay still in one place for a very long time - and that has been the theme of my career so far. From Science to Animation…

Animation to Illustration: Mimi the Dancing Bee by Estrela Lourenço

Estrela Lourenço, illustrator of Mimi the Dancing Bee, on her fascinating journey from science to animation to storyboarding and on to writing and illustrating children's books. I think I’m one of those people that just can’t stay…

Irish Bestsellers 21st February 2026 It's another week in the Irish bestselling books charts, where we have an eclectic mix. As well as almost a dozen World Book Day titles (including this week's no. 1, Bunny vs Monkey: Total Chaos), we've got tv hits (Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid at no. 20), TikTok hits (Binding 13 by Irish BookTok sensation Chloe Walsh returns at no.

Irish Bestsellers 21st February 2026

It's another week in the Irish bestselling books charts, where we have an eclectic mix. As well as almost a dozen World Book Day titles (including this week's no. 1, Bunny vs Monkey: Total Chaos), we've got tv hits (Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid at no. 20),…

The Bridport Flash Fiction Prize 2026 Competition deadline: 31st May 2026 The Bridport Flash Fiction Prize 2026 is open for entries until 31st May 2026. It may be the sprint of creative writing but that doesn’t mean you can rush the creative process. Take us somewhere fast then let your story marinate in the reader’s mind. Make every one of your 250 words count. There is no minimum number of words, just like there is no limit to your imagination.

The Bridport Flash Fiction Prize 2026

Competition deadline: 31st May 2026 The Bridport Flash Fiction Prize 2026 is open for entries until 31st May 2026. It may be the sprint of creative writing but that doesn’t mean you can rush the creative process. Take us somewhere fast then let your story…

I Accuse by Michael Clemenger (Part 2) Part 2 of author Michael Clemenger's article the role of the women of Cumann na Bhan who fought in the 1916 Rising and the subsequent civil war. Read Part 1 of this article here. The Role of the Catholic Church The role of the Catholic church had the most profound influence on the foundation of the free state. Their role was pivotal and they became the hidden hand in the formulation of policies that restrained the political influence of women in the new free state.

I Accuse by Michael Clemenger (Part 2)

Part 2 of author Michael Clemenger's article the role of the women of Cumann na Bhan who fought in the 1916 Rising and the subsequent civil war. Read Part 1 of this article here. The Role of the Catholic Church The role of the Catholic church had the most…

A Billion Sharp Pieces by David Looby Author David Looby tells us of the inspiration behind his novel, A Billion Sharp Pieces . . . I began writing A Billion Sharp Pieces with a very simple premise: exploring male youth and toxic relationships. The characters I used to explore this couldn’t have been more different: Todd McCarthy and Jack Salback have a friendship built on obsession which brings out the worst in both.

A Billion Sharp Pieces by David Looby

Author David Looby tells us of the inspiration behind his novel, A Billion Sharp Pieces . . . I began writing A Billion Sharp Pieces with a very simple premise: exploring male youth and toxic relationships. The characters I used to explore this couldn’t have…

A white note pinned to a corkboard stating - Competition Deadline Reminder

📢 REMINDER - Upcoming Writing Comp. DEADLINES

Fish Flash Fiction Prize - 28/02

The Mairtín Crawford Awards - 11/03

The International Rubery Prize - 31/03

The Caterpillar Poetry Prize - 31/03

Witty Wicklow Writers Contest - 31/03

More:
www.writing.ie/category/wri...

An Post to Donate and Deliver over 40,000 Books

An Post is to donate and deliver over 40,000 books to children in hospitals, care settings and Direct Provision Centres for World Book Day on Thursday, 5th March - in partnership with Children’s Books Ireland. Over 40,000 books will be delivered to…

Submissions Call: Profiles Literary Journal Submissions deadline: 15th March 2026 The submission window for Issue 5 of Profiles is open until Sunday March 15th. Profiles is an independent literary and vis-arts journal dedicated to character studies and portraiture. It is a print journal published in Dublin, Ireland. We feature work by writers, translators and artists living in Ireland and abroad. Edited by Clare Healy & Sarah Sturzel.

Submissions Call: Profiles Literary Journal

Submissions deadline: 15th March 2026 The submission window for Issue 5 of Profiles is open until Sunday March 15th. Profiles is an independent literary and vis-arts journal dedicated to character studies and portraiture. It is a print journal published…

'A morning of inspiring and engaging conversations around wellbeing, poetry, and the power of words to capture deeply moving stories.'

Book your tickets:
dublinbookfestival.com/event/celebr...

The Art of Haiku with Gabriel Rosestock (Part 2) The Art of Haiku: An Interview with bilingual haikuist Gabriel Rosestock (Part 2) See Part 1 of this interview here. Gabriel Rosenstock, a writer who has published over 400 books, is almost certainly the most prolific haiku writer and translator in Ireland. Tell us about the ekphrastic haiku in Orang-Utan – can you explain in simple language what are ekphrastic haiku?

The Art of Haiku with Gabriel Rosestock (Part 2)

The Art of Haiku: An Interview with bilingual haikuist Gabriel Rosestock (Part 2) See Part 1 of this interview here. Gabriel Rosenstock, a writer who has published over 400 books, is almost certainly the most prolific haiku writer and translator in…

The Discover Irish Children’s Book Symposium The Discover Irish Children’s Books Symposium is a unique full day event created by children’s writers and illustrators, for fellow children’s writers and illustrators. It’s part-funded by the Dún Laoghaire Rathown County Council Grants Scheme and will take place in the dlr Lexicon Library on Saturday 6th June 2026 from 11am to 5pm. It aims to demystify the children’s writing and publication process and give lots of useful, practical information for writers and illustrators at all stages of their careers, from absolute beginners to professional authors and illustrators.

The Discover Irish Children’s Book Symposium

The Discover Irish Children’s Books Symposium is a unique full day event created by children’s writers and illustrators, for fellow children’s writers and illustrators. It’s part-funded by the Dún Laoghaire Rathown County Council Grants Scheme and will…

Meeting a Deadline by Áine Toner Áine Toner, author of The Confidence Club, on how her training as a journalist has helped when it comes to meeting a publisher's deadline . . . To blow my own trumpet: I am the most organised person I know. It’s something I wear as a badge of honour, a faux humble nod of the head when someone’s astounded that yes, all that work for the following fortnight is ready to go.

Meeting a Deadline by Áine Toner

Áine Toner, author of The Confidence Club, on how her training as a journalist has helped when it comes to meeting a publisher's deadline . . . To blow my own trumpet: I am the most organised person I know. It’s something I wear as a badge of honour, a faux humble…

The Wild Within by Brigit Anna McNeill The Wild Within: On Life, Recovery, and the Slow Work of Remembering Wildness is often imagined as something distant - a place we travel to, a threshold we cross. But wildness is not elsewhere. It is intimate. It moves through breath and blood, through cycles of contraction and release, through the quiet labour of repair that happens beneath our noticing. It lives in bodies as much as in forests.

The Wild Within by Brigit Anna McNeill

The Wild Within: On Life, Recovery, and the Slow Work of Remembering Wildness is often imagined as something distant - a place we travel to, a threshold we cross. But wildness is not elsewhere. It is intimate. It moves through breath and blood, through cycles…

The Bookshop Band release Oz Sucks EP

The Bookshop Band have announced the release of a new Oz-inspired EP, Oz Sucks - as a free magazine designed by original Oz designer. Released as a 24 magazine, designed by one of the original Oz designers Originally written for performance at the V&A Museum…

Irish Bestsellers 14th February 2026 Welcome back to the Irish bestselling books charts. We've got a couple of new releases, and if you take a look at the Children's Top 10 you'll see the start of the annual World Book Day releases flooding in! Our featured book this week is one of those new releases, from a constant favourite here, Roisin Meaney. Second Chances is new out and appears this week at no.

Irish Bestsellers 14th February 2026

Welcome back to the Irish bestselling books charts. We've got a couple of new releases, and if you take a look at the Children's Top 10 you'll see the start of the annual World Book Day releases flooding in! Our featured book this week is one of those new…

2026 British Book Awards: Island of Ireland Finalists The British Book Awards have announced the Island of Ireland finalists for both the 2026 Small Press of the Year and the 2026 Library of the Year. 2026 Small Press of the Year The Island of Ireland finalists for The British Book Awards Small Press of the Year are: Banshee Press | Cork Bullaun Press | Sligo Little Island Books | Dublin…

2026 British Book Awards: Island of Ireland Finalists

The British Book Awards have announced the Island of Ireland finalists for both the 2026 Small Press of the Year and the 2026 Library of the Year. 2026 Small Press of the Year The Island of Ireland finalists for The British Book Awards Small…

Irish Writers Centre Irish-Language Programme 2026 The Irish Writers Centre is delighted to announce its 2026 programme of Irish-language activity, funded by Foras na Gaeilge and the Arts Council of Ireland. The programme reflects the organisation’s ongoing commitment to supporting writers working in Irish and to fostering a vibrant, inclusive literary culture. The 2026 programme includes special Seachtain na Gaeilge events, a new Irish-language mentoring initiative and workshops with contemporary writers and performers.

Irish Writers Centre Irish-Language Programme 2026

The Irish Writers Centre is delighted to announce its 2026 programme of Irish-language activity, funded by Foras na Gaeilge and the Arts Council of Ireland. The programme reflects the organisation’s ongoing commitment to supporting writers working…

The Mo Siewcharran Prize 2026 Competition deadline: 2nd May 2026 The Mo Siewcharran Prize 2026 is now open for submissions from romance and psychological thriller writers. Hosted by Bookouture, the prize gives commercial fiction writers the opportunity to win £2,500 and a possible publishing contract. To enter, writers must submit the first 10,000 words of their novel and a synopsis of up to 700 words on the…

The Mo Siewcharran Prize 2026

Competition deadline: 2nd May 2026 The Mo Siewcharran Prize 2026 is now open for submissions from romance and psychological thriller writers. Hosted by Bookouture, the prize gives commercial fiction writers the opportunity to win £2,500 and a possible publishing…

I Accuse by Michael Clemenger (Part 1) Author Michael Clemenger on the deliberate downplaying of the role of the women of Cumann na Bhan who fought in the 1916 Rising and the subsequent civil war. When researching for my book The Secret of the Clay I came to the unsettling conclusion that Irish historians have deliberately downplayed the role of the women of Cumann na Bhan who fought in the 1916 Rising and the subsequent civil war.

I Accuse by Michael Clemenger (Part 1)

Author Michael Clemenger on the deliberate downplaying of the role of the women of Cumann na Bhan who fought in the 1916 Rising and the subsequent civil war. When researching for my book The Secret of the Clay I came to the unsettling conclusion that Irish…