DUBLIN BOOK FESTIVAL PANEL

Tomorrow I am taking part in 'Writing Long & Short' at the Dublin Book Festival with Dermot Bolger, Aidan Mathews, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne and Donal Ryan. We're in conversation with Paula Shields.

When: Saturday 14 Nov, 3.30pm – 4.45pm

Where: Main Theatre, Smock Alley Theatre

Cost: €5/€3 Concession| BOOK NOW

Paula Shields, senior researcher for RTE’s arts show The Works, discusses form, inspiration and the current work of some of Ireland’s most prestigious writers. Join Dermot Bolger, author of eleven critically acclaimed novels, most recently Tanglewood (New Island Books); Aidan Mathews, poet, playwright, novelist and author of new short story collection Charlie Chaplin’s Wishbone and Other Stories (The Lilliput Press); Nuala Ní Chonchúir, short story writer, poet and author of three novels including The Closet of Savage Mementos (New Island Books); award-winning novelist, short story writer and playwright Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, who received the 2015 Irish PEN Award for Outstanding Contribution to Irish Literature; and Donal Ryan, whose first collection of short stories, A Slanting of the Sun: Stories, will be published by The Lilliput Press and whose first two novels, The Spinning Heart and The Thing About December (The Lilliput Press), have won and been listed for numerous awards.

DUBLIN DAYS - A LITERARY WEEKEND

I'd a busy two days in Dublin: I went to the Plotting History event at the Dublin Book Festival on Friday, featuring Lia Mills, Patricia O'Reilly and Martina Devlin, all of whom were very interesting on their diverse and excellent novels. Tea and cake afterwards with the sublime Mia Gallagher in Queen of Tarts.

Karl Parkinson, MCing

On that evening to the launch of Dave Lordan's new poetry collection from Salmon, Lost Tribe of the Wicklow Mountains in Toner's. Karl Parkinson was a great MC, Philip Coleman of TCD  delivered a considered and moving launch speech (he and Dave are old friends) and Dave read brilliantly, as always.

Philip Coleman launching Dave Lordan's new book

I love hearing the context of poems and enjoyed Dave's explanations about the lost tribes and about learning to love the corner of Wicklow he calls home. It was great to see pals old and new, including Kerrie O'Brien, Dmita Xidous and Nicole Rourke, director of the Big Smoke Writing Factory. I do so love a night out in Dublin.

Dave reading (phone pic, so excuse quality)

Saturday then was my Lines of Vision event at the National Gallery with Moya Cannon, Dermot Bolger and Roddy Doyle, with Luke Gibbons as chairperson.

Roddy Doyle

We each read our piece from the Lines of Vision book (Roddy and me - stories, Moya and Dermot - poems) and then talked about our relationship to Jack B. Yeats and why we had chosen Yeats's particular paintings as jumping off points for the pieces we wrote. The place was jammers, Luke was a great moderator and I learnt even more about Jack B. Yeats which makes me fall even harder for him and his work.

Dermot, Moya, Janet McLean (curator and editor of the LoV book), Luke, me, Roddy)

It was a great weekend of literary chatter, food and drinks, but am happy to be back at my desk now ready to continue on into novel #4. It has slowed down a little so I may need to have a research/brainstorming week with it. As long as I stay in touch with it, anything will do.

Much as I love getting away, I love even more to come back and potter at my desk. So, while I thank the stars for outings, I thank them equally for retreats.

DUBLIN BOOK FESTIVAL - AFTERTHOUGHTS

Anti-Room panel at Dublin Book Festival

I've been tearing around the place the last few days and there's no rest for me yet - I'm back up to Dublin today to meet my new TCD writing mentee - always a joy. I ran a flash fiction workshop with the Lit and Deb Soc in NUI Galway on Thursday; then went up to meet the lovely MA and MPhils in Writing at UCD on Friday. And this Friday sees the New Planet Cabaret launch in the Gutter Book Shop.

The Dublin Book Festival on Saturday saw the Anti-Room discussing women's literature and women's place in the literary world with the charming and wonderful Sinéad Gleeson, Anna Carey, Christine Dwyer-Hickey and Jennie Ridyard. We talked VIDA stats, Brontës and Austens, women-only lit prizes and the branding of female writers. Both Christine and Jennie have brand new books out - so look out for them: short stories and a novel, respectively.

Anna Carey and Christine Dwyer-Hickey listening to Jennie Ridyard give the VIDA stats

Yesterday I took part in Mindshift at the Festival, an excellent day of professional development for published writers. Authors have been crying out for just such a forum for ages and kudos to Valerie Bistany at the Irish Writers' Centre for providing it. The two speakers - Margaret E. Ward and Eoin Purcell - were excellent. I learnt so much about how the publishing business works and where all the money goes. It was both humbling and mildly depressing but, ultimately, knowledge is power.

In the afternoon, Audrey Carville chaired a discussion about what development needs published writers have and asked how the IWC can help in providing them. Very valuable for mid-career writers who find themselves isolated and, often, feeling a little neglected when all opportunities appear to be for either the début writer or those who are famous.

There will be more Mindshift events and I urge published writers to attend, to meet their peers and help to get some new supports in place. I met loads of great writers who were new to me and/or whose names I know but had never met. An excellent day out, hugely informative - thanks to all involved.

The Anti Room @ Dublin Book Festival - Saturday

I'm taking part in The Anti Room @ DBF with Sinéad Gleeson, Anna Carey, Christine Dwyer-Hickey, and Jennifer Ridyard on Saturday 16th November at 4.30pm in The Main Space at Smock Alley Theatre.

Things we will examine: Is women’s writing treated differently than men’s? Does gender define a writer? And what place does feminism have in contemporary women’s writing? Basically, we will discuss what it means to be both a woman and a writer.

More info here. This is a FREE event. And it will be available as a podcast afterwards.

DUBLIN BOOK FESTIVAL INTERVIEW & MASSACHUSETTS

I'm interviewed at the Dublin Book Festival site ahead of my appearance on the Anti Room panel on women’s writing, which will also feature arts journalist and broadcaster Sinéad Gleeson, journalists Anna Carey and Jennifer Ridyard, and author Christine Dwyer Hickey.

The event is on Saturday 16th November at 4.30pm in The Main Space at Smock Alley Theatre.

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And with that I am off to Massachusetts for a short stint at Bay Path College to take part in their Writers' Day, give a reading and visit some classes. I will also be doing final research for my American novel.

It will be hard to be aways from my kids and husband for 10 days (my eldest turns 20 today - 20!!!) but I am very much looking forward to the New England autumnal colours, seeing Emily Dickinson's house and catching up with old friends. I'll talk to you, no doubt, on the other side.

DUBLIN BOOK FESTIVAL - s/s discussion

I will take part in a discussion on the short story, 'Inspiring Short Stories' at the Dublin Book Festival. With writers Mary Costello and Eilís Ní Dhuibhne, chaired by Eithne Shortall of the Sunday Times.

Sunday 18th November at 4pm.

Venue: Main Theatre, Smock Alley, Temple Bar.

See here for full details.

DUBLIN BOOK FESTIVAL - pics

The Dublin Book Festival was about the busiest I've ever seen it - City Hall and its environs was buzzing. I went to the Salmon Poetry 30 year Celebration Reading (fabulous!) and my own reading, with Paul Soye, Yvonne Cassidy and Liam Carson, introduced by Sinéad Mac Aodha. It was all very jolly and thanks to all my friends and fellow writers who came along.

Jessie Lendennie, Director, Salmon Poetry

Nessa O'Mahony, Patrick Chapman, Ann Le Marquand-Hartigan, Maurice Harmon

Paul Soye, novelist

Meself, and the panel I read with. Sinéad Mac Aodha to my right.

Liam Carson, memoirist

Yvonne Cassidy, novelist

Sarah, Juno and Finbar, heading back to the DBF for more readings

READINGS - WOMAN FACTOR & DUB BOOK FEST

I'm doing two readings this coming weekend in Dublin.

I'm reading with my women's poetry group The Prufrocks, at The Woman Factor, run by ArtWave, on Saturday the 5th at 8pm, in The Back Loft/La Catedral Studios. See the poster above for admission prices etc.

The Woman Factor is a 3-day event whose aim is to bring together women of all ages and nationalities to show the diversity and creativity of females in Ireland and to celebrate their achievements and passions.

On Sunday 6th March at 4pm, in City Hall, I am reading at the Dublin Book Festival and taking part in a panel discussion with fellow writers Liam Carson, Yvonne Cassidy and Paul Soye. The event will be chaired by Sinéad Mac Aodha. Free admission.

For World Book Day on Friday I am reading to twenty-five 6, 7 and 8 year olds. Eek. Kids are the toughest audience of all. Well, apart from frosty-faced fellow writers...

DE DUBLIN BOOK FESTIVAL

Some very interesting events at the Dublin Book Festival and it is FREE in to all of them. No excuse!

When: Saturday 6th, Sunday 7th and Monday 8th of March 2010.

Once again it's on in City Hall and there are readings with the likes of poets Geraldine Mills and Nessa O'Mahony; the launch of a selected writings form the late Nuala Ó Faoláin by New Island; and Eileen Battersby in conversation with The Stinging Fly's Declan Meade.

That's a mere taster. The programme is vast and interesting. Be dere or be square.