The results of the Irish Writers’ Centre Novel Fair have been published. Twenty writers and novels were chosen by the judges from 570 entries to take part in the Novel Fair in March 2012 where they will get an opportunity to meet with representatives from Penguin Ireland, Transworld, O’ Brien Press, Lilliput Press, Hachette Books, Liberties Press, Little Island, Arlen House and New Island. Literary agents such as Marianne Gunn O’ Connor, Yvonne Kinsella, Emma Walsh, Ger Nichol, Paul Feldstein and Jonathan Williams will also be present.
Congratulations to the winning twenty. They are as follows:
| Margaret Biessman | Freefall | ||
| Helen Blackhurt | The Galah Birds | ||
| Therese Cox | Dear Dirty Dublin | ||
| Jennifer Brady | What Ghost Burns | ||
| Ian Flitcroft | The Reluctant Cannibals | ||
| Daniel Seery | The Glue Sniffer | ||
| Kevin Curran | Beatsploitation | ||
| Mary Murphy | The Boy from England | ||
| Janet Cameron | Next Time the World Ends | ||
| Garvan Grant | A Piece of Work | ||
| Michelle Woods | Ire | ||
| Susan Stairs | The Watching Wall | ||
| Delia O’Callaghan | Honeysuckle to Handcuffs | ||
| Geraldine Shear | Shakespeare’s Tree | ||
| Fran Russell Banks | A Spider’s Quickness | ||
| Edel Moloney | What is Unspoken | ||
| Alan Timmons | The Dogs Came Home | ||
| Niamh Boyce | The Herbalist | ||
| Marie Hannigan | Tide Riders | ||
| Roderick Maguire | The Legal Term |
I entered my novel Winter Journey in the competition and was informed that while it didn’t make the top twenty it was highly commended by the judges along with fourteen others. Those highly commended were:
| Colm O’ Shea | This Dirty Road | ||
| Josephine Hughes | Southpaw | ||
| Jennifer McGowan | Closing Time | ||
| Deirdre Shanahan | Birds of Erin | ||
| Edel Corrigan | Always a Stranger | ||
| Andrea Carter | Treacherous Strand | ||
| Eimear Kelly | Followers | ||
| Donal O’ Sullivan | And The Dark Falling | ||
| Tara Sparling | In June | ||
| Léan Ní Chuilleanáin | The Living | ||
| Tom Tierney | The Slipstream O | ||
| Brian Kirk | Winter Journey | ||
| Alan McMonagle | Duck Street | ||
| H.D. Waterstone | Eagle in Winter | ||
| Aine Tierney | Panacea |
It’s a bit disappointing to miss out and yet be so close, but I’m trying not to dwell on it. At present I’m in the process of finishing novel no. 2 so I’m trying to be positive and stay focussed on the job in hand. Well, you have to, don’t you?
The Novel Fair is yet another example of the Irish Writers’ Centre providing great opportunities for emerging writers to establish themselves, and they must be thanked and congratulated for their continuing efforts.
Well you know I am a fan – so just keep doing what you do-writing brilliant material:)
I’m blushing here Louise – but thanks!
Well done, Brian. Keep up the good work. I’d say we’ll be hearing big news from you some day soon 🙂
Thanks Valerie!
Well done Brian!
Thanks Michael – hope all is going well with you!