I’m delighted to be attending The John O’Connor Writing School and Literary Arts Programme on November 3. In the morning I’ll be teaching a fiction starter and in the evening I’m honoured to be sharing the stage with Paul Muldoon, poetry editor for the New Yorker, for one of his world famous literary picnics. See more info below.
Step Into Fiction Writing with Paul McVeigh
Venue: Milford House Collection, 3 Victoria Street.
Saturday 3rd November 10.00am–1.00pm.
‘Paul McVeigh lets us see the human condition through penetratingly fresh eyes. A splendid writer.’ – Pulitzer Prize- winner, Robert Olen Butler.
This class will focus on that crucial story opening, work on developing plot and character, with tips on how to keep the reader engaged.
You will discover what competition judges and journal editors look for and will have an opportunity to get advice and guidance on how best to promote and sell your work. Paul’s classes have sold out all over the UK, Melbourne, and Ireland.
And in the evening…
Muldoon’sPicnic–An ‘Omnium Gatherum’ of Words and Music
Venue: Charlemont Arms Hotel, 57-65 Upper English Street. £20/ £18 (concession).
‘A music-and-literature extravaganza’ – Time Out.
Join us for fun and frolics at Muldoon’s Picnic – making its way back to Armagh where it debuted for the first time outside of New York, in 2016.
How would you describe a poet with a house band and a selection of guest artists from the worlds of literature and music?
Paul Muldoon calls it an ‘omnium-gatherum’ – a variety show. It’s about songs, poems, stories – and fun. Join Paul and his guests for an unforgettable evening’s entertainment. Guests include fiction writers Lisa McInerney and Paul McVeigh, poets Mark Doty, Maureen Boyle and Peter Fallon; with music from Horslips.
Paul Muldoon has won numerous awards, most recently the 2017 Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry, and The Seamus Heaney Award for Arts and Letters. Born in Co. Armagh, he now lives in New York City. Muldoon is the author of twelve major collections of poetry.
Horslips are the Irish Rock legends regarded as the founding fathers of ‘Celtic Rock’. They formed in 1970 and ‘retired’ in 1980! Never! ‘As for The Táin, it most definitely, saved my life. Epic stuff. Literally.’ – John Kelly, RTE.
Peter Fallon is a prize-winning Irish poet, member of Aosdána, and publisher of The Gallery Press. He possesses a unique and unparalleled track record as an editor and assembler of books.
Lisa McInerney’s The Glorious Heresies, won the 2016 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction. Her second novel, The Blood Miracles, won the 2018 RSL Encore Award. ‘A preposterously gifted writer’ – The New Statesman.
Paul McVeigh’s The Good Son won The Polari First Novel Prize and The McCrea Literary Award. His short story ‘Hollow’ was shortlisted for Irish Short Story of the Year at theIrish Book Awards 2017.
Mark Doty is a renowned author of poetry and prose. He is currently at work on a memoir that centers on his poetic relationship with Walt Whitman, entitled What Is the Grass?
Maureen Boyle’s debut poetry collection, The Work of a Winter, is published by Arlen House Press.
The Good Son 