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| Frank O'Connor Award shortlistee, Valerie Trueblood |
The Frank O'Connor Festival has been re-named The Cork International Short Story Festival. This is the 12th year of the festival and it's in my top two - maybe even my top one - of lit fests.
They have a new website here and the programme for the festival is now up. Two friends of mine are reading at it, Órfhlaith Foyle and Kathleen Murray, along with a host of literary stars including Colm Tóibín and Edna O'Brien. English writer Clare Wigfall will give a four day masterclass. I am looking forward to meeting in person San Francisco-based Irish writer Ethel Rohan who I only know virtually so far. Ethel reads on the Friday with the lovely Alison MacLeod.
I am conducting a public interview with American writer and shortlistee for the Frank O'Connor Award, Valerie Trueblood, on the Friday at 3pm in The Ballroom of the Metropole Hotel. She is a wonderful writer and a lovely woman, so it is my honour and pleasure and I can't wait!
7 comments:
A great line up, I just read Ethel Ronans Cut Through The Bone and thought it was fantastic, best thing I've read in ages, have a ball:)
Why has it been renamed I wonder, Is Frank O Connor out of favour?
Hi Niamh. No, the s/story award is still called after Frank but the fest has been renamed because, I would say, Cork City & Co Co give a lot of money towards it and want Cork as the brand. I think it's a good move. Cultural tourism and all that jazz. It also simplifies things a little. Though I do wonder how Frank's family feel about it. They are a sensible lot so I am sure they see the wisdom in it.
I really really want to come, fingers crossed! Finally meeting Ethel r - and the lovely Valerie T - are certainly incentives, as well as hanging out with you and eating tapas!
Hope you can make it, Tania, I would love to spend time with you in Cork again :)
Nuala, thanks so much for the kind mention. I'm so excited for the Festival--my first time to attend and such an honor to get to read. I look forward to meeting you then and will absolutely attend your interview at 3 pm. Meanwhile, all best.
Tania, please do come, I'd love to meet you.
Niamh, I just visited your blog. Thanks so much for your kind words re Cut Through the Bone. I'm so glad you enjoyed the stories. Will I get to meet you in Cork? I look forward to reading your work. Thanks again.
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