C-DAY!

Well C-Day is here. Gone is my absolute influence over my baby daughter; here is the quiet time I need to write. 3 and a half hours, 3 mornings a week. Heaven.

How was it? Well, it was FANTASTIC! She sailed in the door of the creche and had a ball. I did not go on the internet and went straight to a story I have been itching to finish. I started it in March 2009. And I've known for ages how it would end and I got it down today. Which I can't quite believe. I've been irritated when people go on about the stuff they are writing on Facebook etc. but only because I've been so frustrated about not having time and quiet to write. Now I have it, and it feels FAB! No more sighing and moaning for me, it'll be all productivity, I hope. I feel I am off to a great start. Happy days, as the young people say.

READING AT ON THE NAIL - THURSDAY

I'm reading at the On The Nail literary reading which takes place Thursday 2nd September at 8pm in The Locke Bar, George’s Quay, Limerick. Organised by The Limerick Writers’ Centre, this popular monthly reading and open-mic night is a mix of poetry, prose and music.

I'm delighted to be reading with Gerard Stembridge who wrote 'Scrap Saturday' and the film Nora, about Nora Barnacle, along with much other exciting work.

The Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award 2011

So exciting! I entered this last year and got nice feedback though I didn't even make the longlist. The prize is AMAZING and truly to be long- or shortlisted for this would be fabulous for any writer. My pal Adam Marek was a runner-up last year with a fabulous story called 'Fewer Things'. You can read it here.

The info: 

Entries are now being accepted for The Sunday Times EFG Private Bank Short Story Award 2011 - the world’s biggest short story award, for a single story.

The deadline for submissions is 1pm on 30 October 2010.

The award aims to honour the finest writers of short stories in the UK and Ireland. It is open to authors with a previous record of publication in creative writing. Entries may be previously unpublished, or first published or scheduled for publication after 1 January 2010. All entries must be under 6,000 words and entirely original.

The winning author will receive £30,000 and the five runners-up £500. The winner will be announced at the Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival in April 2011, with the longlist announced on 20 February 2011 and the shortlist on 13 March 2011.

Last year’s winner was New Zealand’s CK Stead, with his story ‘Last Season’s Man’.

Click here to read about last year's prize

For full details of eligibility and how to submit a story, please download the terms and conditions and entry form.

Click here to download the entry form for the 2011 Award

Click here to download the terms and conditions for the 2011 Award

Dublin: Twelve Journeys, One Destination

I have a story in a new anthology from the Irish Writers' Exchange - out in October - and myself and fellow contributor Jeanette Rehnstrom are featured in their newsletter this month. We were each asked the same two questions and our answers, from the Exchange's current newsletter, are below.

From the newsletter, about the anthology:

"Out this autumn, Dublin: Twelve Journeys, One Destination is a collection of short stories about Dublin by Irish authors as well as authors of other nationalities who have made Ireland their home.

From Melatu Okorie's tale of the Irish asylum system's hidden depth to Oran Ryan's moving account of the trials of a library assistant, from Joan Arbery's story of a late-night misadventure throughout the streets of Dublin to Isabel Roleff's account of one woman's victory over institutional child abuse, the collection seamlessly weaves together profound insight into life's momentous issues with experiences we can all share. A dazzling array of fresh talent, the collection truly has something for everyone.

Dublin: Twelve Journeys, One Destination, is now available for pre-order on our webpage.

Find out more about the publication and order your copy here."

Featured Author: Jeanette Rehnstrom

Jeanette's writing life began with her grandmother’s gift of a beautiful round-keyed typewriter. Having lived in her native Sweden, London, Los Angeles and New York, she moved to Dublin in 2004. A regular contributor to GCN magazine since 2005 on immigration and rural isolation issues, she is working on her novel At Cross due out this coming winter.

Why do you write?
I’ve always felt writing to be something self-evident in my life. I write because that is what I do. When I write I come live to a degree which is very particular to that activity alone. Writing connects me to a type of freedom which I am otherwise rarely able to reach.

Why did you provide a story for Dublin: Twelve Journeys, One Destination?
Much of my life I’ve spent as an “other”, this even when I was living in my country of birth, Sweden, due to a very personal disconnection to much of what is asked of Swedes by Swedes. I strongly believe in the wisdom generated by outsiders. I believe this particular sort of insight works as a rocket fuel for positive change on ingrown debilitating societal patterns. Hence, my involvement in this project.

Featured Author: Nuala Ní Chonchúir

Galway writer Nuala Ní Chonchúir holds a BA in Irish from Trinity College Dublin and a Masters in Translation Studies from Dublin City University. Having worked as an arts administrator, translator and bookseller, she currently teaches creative writing. She has been shortlisted for the Edge Hill Prize for her short story collection Nude.

Why do you write?
I write because I'm compelled to; if I don't write, I'm extrememly crabby so it keeps me sane, really. My writing grows out of my reading - I've always been a hungry reader - and I just love telling stories. Not orally but specifically by writing them down.

Why did you provide a story for Dublin: Twelve Journeys, One Destination?
I'm from Dublin and I love both city and county, so I was attracted to the project for that reason. Lots of my work - including my novel You - is set in Dublin. It seemed to be a fit for me so I sent in my story and was
delighted to be accepted.

REVIEW OF 'YOU' AT PANK

Irish writer Ethel Rohan gives my novel You a considered review at PANK.

A wee extract: 'Narrated through the child’s point of view and told in the second person, this novel uses plain prose, vivid detail, fresh images, and the delightful Dublin vernacular. You is a compelling story that brings to life complex characters and delivers hard-hitting truths'.

You can read the whole review here.

BBC ARTS EXTRA INTERVIEW ONLINE NOW

The interview I did yesterday with Marie-Louise Muir (left), on BBC's Arts Extra, is online here now. Even though I was in the RTÉ studio in Athlone and Marie-Louise was in Belfast, it felt like we were having a little chat. It was also the first time I've been interviewed by a female presenter, which felt different somehow. Well she had read and enjoyed the book, and she has a lovely, soothing voice so my nerves flew out the door and it felt easy talking to her. I get less and less nervous the more of these radio interviews I do. Bring 'em on! And, I must say I like the way RTÉ and the BBC facilitate each other with studio space etc. How's that for cross-border co-operation?

INTERVIEWS, REVIEWS AND WRITING

C-Day approaches. 6 days to go. What joy! C-Day is the day my littlest child goes into a créche for 3 mornings a week so that I can WRITE. I can't wait. I cannot WAIT! Did I mention I'm looking forward to it?!

I feel all light and airy today because I am making great headway with my editing for Horizon Review. Still have those poetry books to review though for another publication (books by Paul Perry and Grace Wells) but I've been given a month-long extension by the editor until I get on top of things.

All this blazing about doing radio interviews about the novel is very time consuming. I've another one this avo, for BBC Ulster's Arts Extra. It'll be broadcast tonight at 6.30pm and can be listened to online.

FISH PRIZES OPEN

The 2010 Fish Short Story Prize is open and Simon Mawer, author of Man Booker Prize shortlisted ‘The Glass Room’ will judge. The ten best stories will be published in the 2011 Fish Anthology.

The closing date is 30 Nov and results will be announced on 17 March 2011. Entry is online at www.fishpublishing.com and the full details are there too.

Open now, earlier than usual, are the Fish One-Page and Poetry Prizes, and the judges are yet to be appointed.

BBC RADIO INTERVIEW ABOUT *YOU* - Wednesday

I'm doing an interview on Wednesday for BBC Radio Ulster's Arts Extra about the novel. It's a pre-record but as far as I know it'll be broadcast that night at 6.30pm.You can listen live here.

REVIEW OF 'YOU' AT MELUSINE

Writer and blogger Rachel Fenton has reviewed You at the feminist online mag/blog, Melusine. The review is positive and very interesting in its approach. I'm delighted!
You can read what she had to say in her review here.

ARENA INTERVIEW ONLINE & LMFM INTERVIEW TODAY

My Arena interview, with the very affable Seán Rocks, is online here now.

My interview with LMFM is on at 11.20 am this morning. No livestream so you have to be local!

ARENA INTERVIEW TONIGHT

I'll be interviewed tonight on RTE Radio 1's Arts Show, Arena, about my novel, by Seán Rocks.

TINY POEMS #3

Paris Couplet

The moon over Notre Dame is a plate

tossed by a Greek waiter from rue Hachette.

CALL ME 'WRITER' NOT 'POET', PLEASE

I feel rather procrastinatey today; maybe just getting back into the swing of things after the week-end. I have a ton of reading and editing to do for Horizon; I also have two poetry reviews to write and I am itching to get at my own work - one short story in particular is crying out to be finished.

I'm on Arena this week with Seán Rocks talking about my novel You; Wednesday night RTÉ Radio 1, at some point between 7.30pm and 8.30pm. They livestream.

A funny thing has been happening lately while I am on the promo trail for the novel. I keep being referred to as 'poet'. I do write poetry and I love it as both reader and writer but I don't consider that it defines me or what I do. I prefer 'writer'. Plain and simple. I had a piece in Saturday's Daily Mail for example (The 'My Life' page in, coincidentally, You magazine.) My one line bio read 'Poet Nuala Ní Chonchúir's début novel You is out now from New Island.' Why 'poet'?! I've published a novel. Most of what I write is short fiction. I don't get this 'poet' tag. It's the third time in a matter of weeks a newspaper has referred to me as 'poet'. I find it odd.

Now, don't get me wrong. In the right context I don't mind being called 'a poet' but I don't like it as an all-defining term. It would be like saying 'Mother Nuala Ní Chonchúir blah blah blah...' or 'Vegetarian Nuala Ní Chonchúir blah blah blah...' I am not just a mammy or a veggie! Neither am I just a poet.

Oh, I found out why that radio station never rang on Thursday. They got Emma Donoghue instead!!! And somewhere along the line someone forgot to tell me. I guess when it's a toss up between a Booker Longlistee and A.N. Other, there's no contest...but, I will be on this Thursday.

I checked their website and they don't appear to have a livestream but this is the site anyway Louth Meath Radio and they are at 95.8FM if you happen to be in that part of the country. 11.20am Thursday morning next.

Righto, must go and do some actual work. Maybe I'll write a poem ☺!

CRANNÓG 25 - SUBS CALL

Crannóg Magazine of Galway is celebrating its 25^th issue in October and preparations are already underway to make it a landmark issue. It is now open internationally to submissions of fiction (max 2000 words) and poetry (max 50 lines) until the closing date of September 1st. Definitely the magazine to be in this autumn.

Submissions may be sent by email to editor@crannogmagazine.com or posted to:

Crannóg Magazine, Galway Language Centre, Bridge Mills, Galway, Ireland.

Before submitting please read complete submission details on their website.

MOVING YOUR DESK HAS BENEFITS

So I moved my desk into the dining room to make way for magnificent red bookshelves in the sitting room and in preparation for Babykins heading off to creche and me having time to write (real, actual time!) come August 31st. I bought a fabulous desklamp in Arnott's (before that beautiful shop disappears into some bank-induced black hole, weep, gnash).

I've cleared the shelf beside the desk to make way for my thesaurus, dictionary and piles of 'urgent' papers. Urgent as in I am meant to be dealing with them but, because they are in a scruffy pile, I forget, until I get a frantic email about a looming deadline. I'm looking for a nice intray so that they can be a neat, neglected pile but have yet to source the correct, aesthetically pleasing one. I may use an old wooden winebox but it's already full of utterly unnecessary but nonethless jammed scrapbooks. Sigh. I hoard therefore I am.

I have found that because the laptop is away from me, I'm on the net less and writing longhand more. Result! Also while decluttering our books for the new shelves I came across ones I will re-read and ones I can safely get rid off.

This afternoon I sat at my newly located desk waiting for a radio interview about the novel that never happened. I stay awake half the night worrying and hoping I'll be coherent; I get the baby asleep in time for the interview; I warn the other two to be silent; I think about lofty things to say (!?) and they DON'T ring. Harumph.

Anyway next week (Weds 18th)  I'm going to be on Arena, so I can look forward to more sleeplessness until that's over. And I posted a link earlier to an interview I did in Dublin last week for WDA Radio.

Right, Babykins is screeching and putting all my stuff in the bin. Gotta go.

MY WDAR INTERVIEW ONLINE NOW

My interview on WDAR with writer Brendan Nolan about my novel YOU (New Island) is now available here.

LIVERPOOL LENNON POET 2010

Can you compose a poem celebrating the life of John Lennon? Liverpool is celebrating what would have been John Lennon's 70th Birthday with a unique poetry competition open to all poets.

Free to enter

First prize £1,000

Judge: Carol Ann Duffy

Closing date 10th September 2010

‘Paper’ and ‘Performance’ categories.

More at this site.

WDAR INTERVIEW TODAY

I'm interviewed today about the novel, by Brendan Nolan, on WDA Radio at 1.30pm - it will live-streamed on the net at their site here. If you care to tune in...
It will be archived at www.askaboutwriting.net next week.

CENTRE FOR CREATIVE PRACTICES READING - afters

The Centre for Creative Practices is a gorgeous little gem of an arts centre, right in the heart of Dublin city - just near St Stephen's Green. I was expecting a sort of gloomy, damp venue (the usual arts centre type place) but this is a light-filled basement in a Georgian house. The walls are stripped back to reveal the stone and they are hung with a stunning variety of artworks. The centre hosts art exhibitions, runs readings and classes, and there is an atmosphere of can-do and vibrancy about the place. Very pleasant altogether.

Oh, and they have beanbags. I nearly forgot to mention the beanbags! They are so cool and my audience looked comfy and relaxed as they lolled in front of me, sipping complementary herbal tea.

Some of the audience on the beanbags

I read a chapter from the novel but mostly it was a Q&A which turned into a lively discussion/conversation on everything from 2nd person POV, to translation, to what is, or is not, legitimate writing fodder (eg whether it is OK to use friends' stories in your work, without their say-so).

So, my thanks to Ian and Monika for having me there to read, and to all the lovely people who turned up and made the night so friendly, interesting and fun.

READING TONIGHT IN THE CFCP

I'm so attuned to Facebook now, I forgot to say here that I am reading from my novel YOU tonight at 7pm at the Centre For Creative Practices in Dublin.
All welcome!
More here.

LAST STOP ON *YOU's* VIRTUAL TOUR

The last stop on my virtual tour for my novel YOU takes me to Eimear Ryan's blog today. We talk diary writing and titles, among other things. Interview here.

SHORT STORY COMP FOR UNDER 30's

In the framework of the year of combating poverty and social exclusion, the Anna Lindh Foundation and the European Institute of the Mediterranean are sponsoring a short story competition with the aim of reinforcing inclusion and respect for social justice and equality principles.  The objective is to show  the different sensibilities and realities experienced by young people - under 30 - in the 43 countries of the Euro-Mediterranean area, of which Ireland is one.

Length of stories is 2,500 words maximum. Must be original and unpublished stories.  Deadline is midnight 15 September 2010. Stories can be emailed to concurso@iemed.org

The writers of the best 20 short stories will have their works published and will participate in an awards ceremony in Barcelona in December and given the opportunity to participate in international workshops. The organisers will cover travel, food and accommodation expenses.

For further information see www.iemed.org/seaofwords