Writing.ie Online Writing Magazine

What the Focal? by Mary Egan Campbell Is scríobhneoir/údar mise agus file in oiliúint. I am a writer/author and poet in training, ag foghlaim cúpla focal and writing bits and pieces as Gaeilge ó am go ham. I feel it is important as writers to represent our heritage and native tongue where possible, as this is where our rich culture of storytelling, poetry, song and the arts comes from.

What the Focal? by Mary Egan Campbell

Is scríobhneoir/údar mise agus file in oiliúint. I am a writer/author and poet in training, ag foghlaim cúpla focal and writing bits and pieces as Gaeilge ó am go ham. I feel it is important as writers to represent our heritage and native tongue where…

The Keeper: Tana French

Book now for Tana French at ILFD!

The crime writer who “inspires cultic devotion in readers” according to The New Yorker, and was called “incandescent” by Stephen King, comes to ILFD with the third and final book in the million-copy-bestselling Cal Hooper trilogy.

ilfdublin.com/whats-on/fes...

Full Set and Fuller Publishing Partnership The Full Set and Fuller publishing partnership will start in Spring 2026 with three titles planned. Independent nonfiction publisher Full Set has partnered with Fuller, the award-winning global newsroom dedicated to groundbreaking reporting that catalyses positive change for women and gender-diverse people, to launch a publishing programme of three essays to be published in ebook, audiobook and paperback print on demand.

Full Set and Fuller Publishing Partnership

The Full Set and Fuller publishing partnership will start in Spring 2026 with three titles planned. Independent nonfiction publisher Full Set has partnered with Fuller, the award-winning global newsroom dedicated to groundbreaking reporting that catalyses…

Character and Setting by A. A. Sekhon Author A. A. Sekhon on how, when it comes to character and plot, the setting of your novel can be an absolute goldmine . . . Whenever I sit down to write a new piece of fiction, I always begin with the characters. Two particularly important considerations for character development are the locale and time period in which the story is set, as these can have an enormous impact on character.

Character and Setting by A. A. Sekhon

Author A. A. Sekhon on how, when it comes to character and plot, the setting of your novel can be an absolute goldmine . . . Whenever I sit down to write a new piece of fiction, I always begin with the characters. Two particularly important considerations for…

The Case of the Moonlighting Mouthpiece by Paul Coggins Paul Coggins, author of Chasing the Chameleon, on how 'decades in the trenches as a trial lawyer have made me a better writer . . .' To paraphrase an old saw: Legal writing is to writing what military music is to music. Fact check: partly true and partly false. From as far back as runs the memory of man (a legal concept in the common law), legal writings in briefs, motions, memoranda, and treatises have been criticized as stodgy, stilted, and sprinkled with ten-dollar words, like heretofore, aforementioned, and whereas.

The Case of the Moonlighting Mouthpiece by Paul Coggins

Paul Coggins, author of Chasing the Chameleon, on how 'decades in the trenches as a trial lawyer have made me a better writer . . .' To paraphrase an old saw: Legal writing is to writing what military music is to music. Fact check: partly…

Independent Bookshop of the Year 2026 Winners Announced Nine independent bookshops have been crowned regional and country winners for The British Book Awards 2026 Independent Bookshop of the Year. Selected by the judges from 76 finalists announced last month, the award, sponsored by book wholesaler Gardners, celebrates those bookshops that continue to draw book lovers to towns and cities across the United Kingdom and Ireland. The overall winner, announced on Monday 11th May, receives a cheque for £5,000 from Gardners, and will go on to compete for Book Retailer of the Year.

Independent Bookshop of the Year 2026 Winners Announced

Nine independent bookshops have been crowned regional and country winners for The British Book Awards 2026 Independent Bookshop of the Year. Selected by the judges from 76 finalists announced last month, the award, sponsored by book…

Issue 5 Submissions open from Mar 23 - Apr 6th with @artscouncilireland.bsky.social support. Issue 4 is available from our shop to see the kind of Poetry/CNF/Short Stories/Flash we publish www.the4facedliar.com @irishwriterscentre @writing.ie @poetryireland.bsky.social @munsterlitcentre.bsky.social

Unique Lead Characters by Erik S. Meyers Erik S. Meyers, author of the Sally Witherspoon mystery series, on how the key to writing lead characters is to 'be unique'. When I was planning my murder mystery series, the most important question was who would my lead character be. I guess this is one of the most important questions every writer deals with and needs to deal with before they type (or write) one word.

Unique Lead Characters by Erik S. Meyers

Erik S. Meyers, author of the Sally Witherspoon mystery series, on how the key to writing lead characters is to 'be unique'. When I was planning my murder mystery series, the most important question was who would my lead character be. I guess this is one of…

The Origins of EL by Thaddeus Ó Buachalla The origins of EL are varied and complex. The novel began slowly and germinated over time before the serious process of writing began. I do remember an initial starting point though – an absurd idea that came into my head and took root. I was sitting at a kitchen table one evening in Cork City and noticed a couple of flies making misshapen patterns around the overhead lightbulb.

The Origins of EL by Thaddeus Ó Buachalla

The origins of EL are varied and complex. The novel began slowly and germinated over time before the serious process of writing began. I do remember an initial starting point though – an absurd idea that came into my head and took root. I was sitting at a…

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…