23rd October 2009
An update from:
Creative Writers Network
Please continue to forward your news to editor@creativewritersnetwork.org
CWN News and Events
Apologies for the ongoing gap in our information service, however due to Arts Council cuts we are no longer receiving funding to provide information and support services to writers in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately this means that we will be unable to take your general queries or requests for support or referrals. We would ask you to direct all queries of a literary nature to Damian Smyth, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, who is paid to provide information to writers. He can be contacted on: 02890 385 244 or at dsmyth@artscouncil-ni.org
Ulla’s Nib
‘Northern Ireland’s own magazine of new writing’
View past issues at: http://www.creativewritersnetwork.org/Ulla%27s%20Nib.html
Unfortunately due to the cuts in funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Ulla’s Nib will no longer be published. We are deeply saddened by this turn of events but in the current financial circumstances the organisation can no longer afford to produce the magazine. We thank you all for your kind words of support and hope that Ulla’s Nib can be resurrected at some point in the future.
Northern Ireland
Events
St Mary’s College is delighted to launch the eagerly awaited publication 50 Years of Golden Memories – St Mary's College 1959–2009, published by Guildhall Press, in the Foyleside Shopping Centre on Friday 16 October at 1.00pm with music from the school choir.
The publication, commissioned as part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Creggan School, tells the story of the school from its inception in 1959 to its present 21st century college.
The book is filled with photographs, articles and stories told by pupils and staff, past and present, and illustrates the tremendous spirit and courage of the pupils and staff alike as they maintained an oasis of calm amidst the backdrop of the turbulent years of the Troubles.
50 Years of Golden Memories St Mary’s College 1959–2009 is available online from http://www.ghpress.com and from Easons, Shipquay Books & News, Foyle Books and from the office at St Mary’s College, Creggan. Paperback £12.95. ISBN: 9781906271213.
For further details please contact St Mary’s College Tel 028 71 362154 or email office@stmarysderry.com
Poetry Night at Bookfinders
Bookfinders Café
University Road
Belfast
Friday 30th October @ 8pm
A welcome return of this famous poetry evening. Featured poets for this event are Jenni Doherty and Jane Bailey, with other poets chosen by Mary Denvir of Bookfinders. Come along and support the best of Belfast’s spoken word scene.
The Civic Centre in Castlereagh will host monthly events aimed at breathing life into some forgotten local plays.
The dates of these three performances will be:
Tuesday 10th November 2009.
Tuesday 8th December 2009.
Admission is free although bookings are essential.
For more information and booking contact the Arts Officer:
Telephone: 028 9049 4566
Tullycarnet Library will be the venue for a monthly night of storytelling:
The schedule is as follows:
Thursday 19th November 2009 - George Murphy - Storyteller
Thursday 10th December 2009 - The Good Companions - Storytellers
Admission for each night is £4.
Telephone: 028 9048 5079
Linen Hall Library
SATURDAY STORYTIME AT THE LINEN HALL
Halloween Themed Readings for Children
Saturday 24 October
11.00am
Admission Free
Looking for something entertaining for the kids? The Linen Hall has now begun a series of readings in our dedicated children’s area. It’s also a great opportunity to introduce youngsters to the treasures of the Linen Hall Library. And while the children are being entertained, adults can browse themselves or relax in our café. (Event suitable for 4 to 7 year olds)
Bookings for this event are not required.
SAM HANNA BELL, WRITER AND BROADCASTER, 1909 - 1990
Celebrating the life and work of "one of our prophets" - Michael Longley
A remarkable writer, novelist and BBC producer, Sam Hanna Bell's work was dedicated to documenting and exposing the realities of life in Ulster.
EXHIBITION
'A Man Flourishing' – the life and work of writer and broadcaster, Sam Hanna Bell, 1909-1990
Saturday 17 October – Saturday 14 November
Vertical Gallery
Admission Free
COLLOQUIUM
Saturday 17 October
Performance Area
10am – 2pm
£10 (£8 for Members of the Linen Hall Library)
How should we interpret Sam Hanna Bell's legacy in Northern Ireland today? In a morning of fascinating presentations, we explore how the life and work of Sam Hanna Bell has shaped our cultural life. Speakers include:
- Carlo Gébler - Sam Hanna Bell and the Irish Literary Tradition
- Roma Tomelty - Sam Hanna Bell, Joe Tomelty and the Theatre in Ulster
- Anne Tannahill - Publishing Sam Hanna Bell
- Thaddeus O'Sullivan - The making of December Bride
- Glenn Patterson - An Ulster Miscellany
- Sean McMahon - Sam Hanna Bell: the man
Cost includes session entrance and refreshments (lunch not included).
READING GROUP
December Bride by Sam Hanna Bell
Thursday 29 October
Governors' Room
Admission Free
BOOKING INFORMATION
Online - www.linenhall.com
Phone – 028 9032 1707
Studio NI
Northern Ireland's Largest Arts & Culture group is promoting a series of novel-related events in November as part of N.I. Novel-writing Month (NINoWriMO).
Friday 30th October 2009
"NINoWriMo kick-off" at Blick Shared Studios, Malone Road, Belfast, from 7pm till 9pm.
Tuesday 3rd November 2009
"An Evening With George RR Martin" at McHughs Bar, Belfast City Centre, from 6pm til late.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/studio-ni/message/3741
Friday 13th November 2009
"Richard Crawford's Novel-writing Masterclass" at Blick Shared Studios, Malone Road, Belfast from 7pm till 9pm.
For more info on National Novel-Writing Month, please see
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/studio-ni/message/3715
WRITE MORE, READ MORE
In a series of four Thursday evening workshops at the Lock-Keeper’s Inn Ian McDonald, Annie McCartney, Stuart Neville, Gerard Brennan and T.A Moore will read extracts from their novels and answer questions about their experience of a writer’s life.
After the talk there will be a ‘write-in’ for the nanowrimo’ers, but you don’t have to be a writer to attend the event. After all, writers are nothing without readers!
These events are an amazing opportunity to see some of Northern Ireland’s literary stars in an intimate setting.
5.30pm - 7.00pm 5th November - T.A Moore and Gerard Brennan
5.30pm - 7.00pm 12th November - Stuart Neville
5.30pm - 7.00pm 19th November - Annie McCartney
5.30pm - 7.00pm 26th November - Ian McDonald
You will also be able to buy books and get them signed at the event.
Admission FREE. Bookings essential. Call the Arts Officer Conor Maguire on 028 90494566. Refreshments Available.
Pen Insula
In Association with The Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry Invites you to a literary evening with Ciaran Carson, Poet, musician, essayist, Director of the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry, author of Fishing for Amber (1999), Breaking News (2003), Last Night’s Fun (1996), The Irish for No (1987), Belfast Confetti (1989) The Star Factory (1997), Collected Poems (2008), etc.
8pm Friday November 6
Bar Holm, Portaferry
Admission £4 at door. Wine & nibbles
For further details contact: John Wilson Foster tel: 90-971511
Workshops
Creative Writing with Anne Harris- Castlereagh Civic Centre
Workshops and experience preparing creative writing for publication.
October 19th and 28th, November 2nd, 9th, 18th and 23rd, 7pm to 9pm
After the success of last year's 'writing for publication' workshops, published author Anne Harris and local writers compiled a publication of new local writing featuring short stories, poetry and excerpts from drama scripts and novels, with photography and artwork from local artists. The final result 'Variations' was a resounding success and is still available. Castlereagh continues to support Anne and the creative writing group, facilitating a 6 week course through the autumn programme; we would encourage all those interested to contact us early, as there will be limited places available. £15 for 6 sessions.
If you would be interested in attending contact Conor Maguire the Arts Officer on 02890494566.
Northern Visions Heritage & Digital Media School
The school which takes place from Monday November 23rd to Friday November 27th 2009 inclusive is now open to applications. This is a free 5-day intensive and practical school in heritage seminars and media production including interviewing, presenting, studio production, location filming and post production. The school is designed to enhance the potential of those working in community groups and other interested individuals to develop heritage projects in digital media.
To be eligible you must be available on each day of the school from 10.00 am -5.00 pm. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Closing Date: Thursday November 12th at 5.00pm.
The school has been made possible through the generous support of the Heritage Lottery Fund.
All-Ireland
Events
The Limerick Writers' Centre
would love your company at
The Limerick City Library, Michael St., Limerick
on Friday 23rd Oct 2009 at 7.30pm
For the launch of
KEMMY'S LIMERICK MISCELLANY
New Anthology of Limerick Writing
Edited by Denis O'Shaughnessy
The book will be launched by Jan O'Sullivan TD
Details: www.kemmyslimerickmiscellany.com
The Limerick Writers’ Centre presents
POETRY: READING IT, WRITING IT, PUBLISHING IT!
The Locke Bar, Georges Quay, Limerick
Thursday 5th Nov 2009 8.30pm
The Limerick Writers’ Centre continue their ‘On The Nail’ reading series with a special evening devoted to the art of reading, writing and publishing poetry at The Locke Bar, George’s Quay, Limerick on Thursday 5th Nov 2009 at 8.30pm plus music on the night will be provided by Chris Wood and friends.
Jessie Lendennie, Managing Editor, Salmon Poetry Ltd. and Editor of Poetry: Reading it, Writing it, Publishing it! will introduce some of the contributors to the book on the night. This is a must for aspiring poets or for those who just want to learn how to enjoy reading poetry. After the featured readers a special open-mic for writers will take place - all types of creative writing catered for!
This is also your chance to meet other writers and anyone interested in creative writing is welcome to come along on the night and meet with like-minded people, those interested in becoming part of a writing group are encouraged to meet and form groups under the auspices of the Limerick Writers’ Centre.
Admission is free and finger food will be provided. Get there early for this exciting and entertaining event!
Further information contact: Dominic Taylor 087 2996409 email limerickwriterscentre@gmail.com & http://onthenailreadings.blogspot.com
Workshops
First Annual North/South Creative Writing Festival at the Central Hotel and Leisure Centre, Donegal Town, 22nd – 25th October 2009.
Workshops by Colin Bateman on the novel, Gráinne Tobin on poetry, Maura Johnston on short stories, and Philomena Gallagher on autobiography/ life history, plus three nights dinner, bed and breakfast and nightly entertainment with free transport and daily scenic trips, for a cost of £179 per person sharing. Single room supplement is £50. Non-refundable deposit £50. To book, contact Philomena Gallagher on 07740 740 340
Poetry Workshop with Tim Cunningham at the Limerick Writers' Centre Aspiring poets are invited to participate in a Poetry Workshop with poet Tim Cunningham at the Limerick Writers’ Centre, 12 Barrington Street, Limerick Sat 24th Oct 2009 starting at 10.00am and running to 12.00 noon. Those interested are asked to contact Dominic Taylor at 087 2996409 or email limerickwriterscentre@gmail.com Fee €10.00.
http://whitehousepoets.blogspot.com
http://myspace/thewhitehousepoets
http://revivalpoetrybook.blogspot.com
From Inspiration to Publication
An information day on getting published and the publishing industry.
When: November 7th
Time: 10am to 4pm
Venue: Irish Writers' Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.
Cost: €50 (€40 for members)
With guest speakers Dermot Bolger, Stephen Boylan, Sarah Bannan, Declan Meade, Caitriona O'Reilly, and Abie Philbin Bowman.
Whether you are an aspiring writer or simply someone with an interest in the publishing world, From Inspiration to Publication—an information day on publishing—is for you. It will take place in the Irish Writers' Centre on the 7th of November.
We have a varied line up of speakers from different facets of the publishing industry which include Dermot Bolger, renowned writer and founder of New Island publishing house; Stephen Boylan, New Title Buyer at Easons; Sarah Bannan, Head of Literature at the Arts Council; Declan Meade, publisher and editor of The Stinging Fly; Caitriona O'Reilly, editor of Poetry Ireland Review; and Abie Philbin Bowman, journalist, comedian and shameless self-promoter.
The key to becoming a successful author is not just in writing a masterpiece, but also in how you approach the publishing process. Once you've finished the hard work and put down your pen you then have to think about getting your work into circulation and sustaining a living as a writer. After all, it is important to ensure that your work gets published and that people buy it and read it!
With top industry professionals on hand to guide you, From Inspiration to Publication aims to give you the tools to identify a market for your work, find and work with an editor or agent, apply for literary bursaries, and understand how your book will be sold.
This event will take place in the Irish Writers’ Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1 from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm. Tickets will be available from Monday and can be purchased online via our website www.writerscentre.ie, by calling into the centre, or by phoning 01-8721302.
Submissions
20x20 magazine is a square platform for writings, visuals and cross-bred projects. Rather than on a theme, each issue is assembled around meta-words to be interpreted, researched, illustrated according to a loose, wide and multi-angled perspective. Submissions are now open for 20x20 magazine issue 3.
Artists and writers are invited to propose work for the following sections:
WORDS - in the shape of fiction, essays, poetry
VISIONS – drawings, photography, visual projects
the BLENDER - where words and visions cross paths
Meta-words for Issue Three: HARMONIA MUNDI
Deadline: Monday 16 November 2009
Please visit our website for information and submission guidelines www.20x20magazine.com
Flax the publishing imprint of Lancaster's Litfest, is looking for audio submissions in either poetry or prose for the Flax020 anthology from 26 Oct -18 Nov.
For more information read our submissions guidelines: http://www.litfest.org/submission-guidelines.html
Tel: +44 (0)1524 62166
Fax: 0871 266 4113
Post: Litfest, The Storey, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster LA1 1TH
Web: www.litfest.org
Cinnamon Press
We are looking for submissions to an anthology of sequences – written as poetry (all styles and subjects welcome) or prose poetry. Your sequence should contain between 3 and 12 poems/prose poems, each of up to 40 lines or 250 words for prose poems.
The aim of this anthology is to showcase a substantial piece of work from each of the selected poets and to feature a poetry form that is often hard to place with publishers.
You may submit as many sequences as you wish, and those chosen will appear in a new Cinnamon anthology: Sequences to be published in late 2011, co-edited by Rowan and Jan Fortune-Wood.
Due to the huge popularity of the submission calls we are charging a small administration fee. This will help us pay for the time of someone to collate email addresses and send responses etc. This is a small, one off fee per person, not per sequence so you do not have to pay for the number of sequences you send. The fee is £2 payable via Paypal (which will convert other currencies) or you can send a cheque to ‘Cinnamon Press’ (sterling only) with a note of your name and the title of your submission.
Submission Guidelines for Sequences anthology: Please read these carefully. Due to the large volume of submissions expected we will only be able to process those submissions that conform to the guidelines.
The deadline for submissions is: 15th May 2010. Due to high volume of submissions received we will not be able to extend this.
Each sequence must contain between 3 and 12 poems/prose poems, each of up to 40 lines in length or 250 words for prose poems.
Sequences can be on any subject and you may send several sequences, but please submit them attached to ONE email with each sequence attached as a word document using a .doc or .rtf format (so, for example, if you are sending three sequences you will be sending one email with three attachments).
All submissions must be via email. We are not accepting hard copy submissions.
There is an admin fee of £2 per person (this covers as many sequences as you would like to send provided they are in one email).
Submit pieces to both Rowan Fortune-Wood – rowan@cinnamonpress.com and Jan Fortune-Wood – jan@cinnamonpress.com with ‘sequences anthology’ in the subject line.
In the body of the email please type your name and location.
Please ensure your virus protection is up to date.
We hope to inform everyone who has sent a submission of which pieces will be included in the anthology by late October 2010. Please ensure that you inform us if your email address changes after sending the submission.
The decisions of the editors are final.
All those whose work is selected will receive a complimentary copy of the anthology.
Squid Quarterly, an online journal of the Short i.e., short-shorts, microfiction, prose poetry, flash fiction, seeks submissions for its second issue. Please send us previously unpublished work of no more than 1,000 words to;
submissions@squidquarterly.com
We welcome multiple submissions of up to 4 shorts poetry or fiction, and simultaneous submissions, but please let us know immediately if a piece you’ve submitted is accepted for publication elsewhere.
Please send your material as attachments in .doc format, and include a brief cover letter/bio in the body of your e-mail. Our tastes are eclectic, so there are no specific guidelines about theme, subject matter, or narrative style. We’re simply looking for the best short work out there.
If you have questions, please direct them to couture@squidquarterly.com
We nominate for the Pushcart Prize, and publish a year-end print anthology of the best work from each of our online issues.
www.squidquarterly.com
Opportunities
WANTED
Ace reporter/s to help keep Baglady Shirley Lewis on track with play, living ASAP, eco-audits etc
Essential: writing skills, creativity, passion about environment and social justice; energy!
Computer skills a definite advantage but not vital
Any age, sex, religion, political persuasion welcome
Hours variable with agreed minimum, contract if wished.
If interested, check our website and contact shirley@bagladyproductions.org
by November 10 giving 1-2 references and your phone no.
Competitions
The Poetry Can Poetry Competition 2009
For full competition details go to the website at http://www.poetrycan.co.uk/news_details.asp?id=287 The deadline for entries is 30 October 2009 and the judge will be Catherine Smith, New Generation Poet and Arvon tutor. The prize is a week long Arvon poetry writing course of your choice at any one of the beautiful and historic Arvon houses in Devon, Yorkshire, Shropshire or Inverness-shire.
Children's Story Competition
Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of Barefoot Books, Tessa Strickland, is our judge for this year's Children's Story Competition. Renowned author in her own right, Tessa writes under the name Stella Blackstone and has published many enchanting books.
This competition is for original and unpublished stories of no more than 1000 words from children between the ages of 7 and 18 years old.
Cash prizes of £150, £75 & £50 for the winners in each of the four age categories. All the winning entries will be published in the Children's Story Book.
Use one of these titles listed below to create your story
Take Flight
The Gangster's Convention
The Explosion
Eden's Garden
Weekly Report from the Front Line
The entry fee is £5 per submission and entries can be sent online or by post to Chapter One Promotions, Canterbury Court, 1-3 Brixton Road, London, SW9 6DE, England.
The closing date for submissions is at midnight on Saturday 31 October 2009.
Café Writers is a Norwich based grass-roots writers' network supporting and showcasing work by established writers in all genres. It also encourages and champions new work by emerging writers.
Closing date 30th Nov 2009
1ST £1000, 2nd £300, Five Commended Prizes of £50
also £100 Norfolk Prize awarded to best poem from a permanent Norfolk resident and
The Nancy Jervis Poetry Prize. £150 for best poem on theme of reconciliation not winning another prize.
Entry Fee: £4 per poem; or £10 for 3 poems and £2.00 per poem thereafter.
SOLE JUDGE GEORGE SZIRTES.
You can also enter online at www.cafewriters.org.uk
Café Writers is a Norwich based grass-roots writers' network supporting and showcasing work by established writers in all genres. It also encourages and champions new work by emerging writers. It is run entirely by volunteers that are passionate about encouraging wider participation and excellence in literature. Our main activity is a monthly live literature event that gets a regular audience of around 50 and sometimes double that. Our readers have included: Jacob Polley, Michael Laskey, Penny Shuttle, Emma Jones, Jackie Kay, Esther Morgan, Matthew Hollis and Matthew Sweeney. All these were supported by less established emerging writers; Joe Dunthorne gave one of his first readings with us whilst at UEA. In programming we aim to put on interesting and balanced events.
Our competition the only significant source of funding to fund our programme and we pay visiting writers properly.
The Iota International Poetry Competition 2009
Deadline: 30th Nov 09
Iota magazine presents the Iota International Poetry Competition 2009. The first prize consists of £2,000, the second prize of £1,000 and the third of £500. The competition will be judged by Tim Turnbull, and the University of Gloucestershire will welcome an event and a reading in Spring 2010.
Poems of any style up to 80 lines will be considered and you can submit until 30 November. For more information, please visit the Iota website: www.iotamagazine.co.uk
or send a self addressed envelope to: Iota Magazine, PO Box 7721, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 9DD.
Meridian Winter Competition for stories up to 3,000 words
* Winter Competiton
* Story: Open Theme/Genre, 3,000 wds max
* Prizes: £100, £50 & £25 plus firstwriter.com vouchers
* Fee: £5 per story
* Eligibility: Open to new and published authors, see website for full details
* Closing Date: 31st December
* Critique service now available
* Website: www.meridian-writing.co.uk for full details
Dog Horn Literature & Art Prize, with categories in fiction, poetry and art for works of a cutting edge or transgressive nature. The competition is open from now until 1 April, 2010. The number of entries is uncapped, but recommend sending entries in earlier rather than later, as most entries are likely to come around the closing date.
Entries should be experimental, cross-genre or post-something in nature. We want you to challenge traditional forms and ask difficult questions. We want you to have fun and, to coin a cliche, think outside the box. In fact, we want you to take that box, cram it with Semtex and blow it to pieces.
The winner in each category will receive a publishing contract (subject to meeting editorial standards) for a book-length project of fiction, poetry, art or a combination of the three.
Here are the rules:
All entrants must be at least 18 years old at the time of submission
Short stories cost £5 for the first entry (max. 5,000 words) or £7 (max. 5,001-10,000 words), with additional stories costing £4/£6, respectively. Poems cost £3 for the first entry (max. 40 lines) or £4 (41 lines+), with additional poems costing £2/£3, respectively
Art submissions cost £10 for the first entry, and £8 for additional entries
A short bio should be included with entries
Dog Horn Publishing reserves the right to publish winning entries and any honourable mentions on the Dog Horn website and/or in a print anthology at a later date
Winners' names will be posted to the Dog Horn website in April.
Full rules and details at www.doghornpublishing.com/competition.html.
Cinnamon Press competitions offer writers in different genres excellent publication opportunities. We run each of the competitions twice a year with the next closing date of November 30th in 2009.
Poetry Collection Award £100- The aim of this award is to provide a platform for new voices in poetry. The winning author has his/her poetry collection published with Cinnamon Press and receives a prize of £100. We also publish an anthology of the best poems submitted and entry includes a copy of the winners' anthology. We have commissioned several other collections as a result of being short-listed.
Short Story Award: £100 - The competition is open to new and published authors. The first prize for a story between 2,000 and 4,000 words is £100 & publication. Up to ten runners up stories' are also published in the winners' anthology. Entry includes a copy of the winners' anthology.
Novel/Novella Writing Award £400 - The aim of this award is to encourage new authors, enabling debut novelists/novella writers to achieve a first publication in this genre. The winning author has his/her first novel published by Cinnamon Press and receives a prize of £400. The four runners up also receive a full appraisal of their novel. We have also commissioned other novels as a result of short-listing in the competition.
Guidelines for all Genres
* Entrants for the novel/novella and poetry categories should not previously have had a novel/novella or full poetry collection published. Short story writers may have had stories, but not a single author collection published.
* Entries must be made by post unless they are entries from outside UK, which may be submitted electronically – contact jan@cinnamonpress.com
* Please enclose sae or email (sufficient for response only, not return of work)
* Submit the first ten thousand words of your novel/novella or 10 poems up to 40 lines (unpublished) or story of 2,000-4,000 words (unpublished) in a clear type script, double spaced for prose.
* Please mark each sheet with a nom de plume and working title in the header.
* Do not put any other identification on the work, but enclose a separate sheet with name, address, email contact & nom de plume and titles of poems/working title.
* Deadline for submissions – 30th November 2009.
* Entry is £16 per entry for all categories (this includes a copy of the winners anthology for the poet and short story categories, worth £8.99)
* Please make cheques payable to ‘Cinnamon Press’ or you can pay online in a range of currencies using PayPal
* Work will not be returned, so please keep a copy.
* Send your work to: Cinnamon Press Novel Writing Award, Meirion House, Glan yr afon, Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, LL41 3SU.
* Results will be sent to everyone who includes a sae or valid email by October (for June competitions) or March (for November competitions)
* All enquiries: jan@cinnamonpress.com
Disclaimer: CWN cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of these news items. We do our best to ensure the information is full and accurate, but as much of this is from external sources, we suggest you check details by alternative methods, such as websearches or phonecalls.
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