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In Conversation with Billy O’Callaghan

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Monday, July 24, 2023 @ 07:00 PM Armagh – Book here.

Billy O’Callaghan is amongst the finest storytellers and wordsmiths in Ireland today.” Anne Griffin

Billy O’Callaghan from Corkis the award-winning author of four short story collections and four novels including the internationally acclaimed My Coney Island Baby andthe COSTA shortlisted and bestseller Life Sentences.  His most recent novel (May, 2023), The Paper Man, is a sweeping and unforgettable interwar love story (Publisher: J Cape UK)

Based on true events, The Paper Man is the story of twentieth-century Europe and love against the odds. It is a story that will take Jack Shine far from Cork and all the way back to Vienna, and towards Matthias Sindelar, known as “The Paper Man”, one of the most famous footballers in the world in the 1930s.   billyocallaghan.ie/

The Circus on BBC Radio Ulster & BBC Radio Foyle

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My ten-part short story series The Circus commissioned by, and aired on, BBC Radio 4, earlier this year, is being repeated on BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle every Saturday. In five episodes, each one will combine two of the stories. I hope you enjoy.

Episode 1 (two stories)

A former working men’s club in North Belfast called ‘The Circus’ has been refurbished and relaunched with an inaugural talent show – and a massive cash prize for the winner! – inspiring the locals to brush up on some old skills. The new owner, a successful London property developer, has promised to bring a bit of the West End to North Belfast. But can the area really change? Can the people?

Cliftonville Circus is where five roads meet in North Belfast. It is situated in the most deprived part of the city; it is also the most divided. Each road leads to a different area – a different class – a different religion. ‘The Circus’ explores where old Belfast clashes with the new around acceptance, change, class and diversity.

Read by Ruby Campbell and Abigail McGibbon 
Produced by Michael Shannon
Executive Editor Andy Martin

Teaching at John Hewitt Summer School

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Write Short Stories that Stand Out at The John Hewitt Society, Monday 24th, Tuesday 25th and Thursday 27th July.

One of my few teaching gigs this year. Snap it up quick.

“In this course you will find out what competition judges and anthology & journal editors
look for in a short story. You will get tips on where to start the action and how to grab the reader’s attention, as well as opportunities for submission, how to 昀椀nd them and where you should be sending your stories.”

Book here.

Click to access JHSS_2023_WEB_01.pdf

Teaching in Singapore

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16TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE SHORT STORY IN ENGLISH

That Killer First Page 

In this workshop, Paul will share what editors, first readers and judges look for in a short story. He will discuss how to get your story published, onto that shortlist and how to avoid the rejection pile. Paul will take you behind the scenes of anthologies, competitions and journals, explaining the psychology of the decision-making process and the importance of ‘That Killer First Page’. He will highlight the essential ingredients to create that crucial story opening. In a form and genre where every word counts, you will get tips on staying focused on your story and where to start the action; you will also get clues on when to stop. For the workshop, you write an opening and get feedback on that. We will look at submission opportunities; how to find them and where you should be sending your stories.

The Good Son 3rd Editon
You can buy here

Winner of The Polari First Novel Prize

‘A triumph of storytelling. An absolute gem.’ Donal Ryan

‘Raw, funny and endlessly entertaining’. Jonathan Coe

Thanks to Culture Ireland for there support.

‘Sixteen’ on RTE Radio 1

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Lovely responses my essay ‘Sixteen’ on RTÉ Radio 1 last night – a rare occasion where I read something myself. Covering education, the Troubles, escaping into the arts, the arts and class, sexuality and returning home.

The essay is from the anthology ‘Impermanence’ commissioned by ⁦⁦Centre Culturel Irlandais, and edited by Nora Hickey M’Sichili & Neil Hegarty published by No Alibis Press. Recordings beautifully produced by Cliodhna Ni Anluain.

There’s a a great chat beforehand and the essay lasts about 20 mins. Click : https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/11512834/

Presenting: Look North! North Belfast Festival Short Story Awards

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Date: Feb 24th 5-6pm

Where: Clifton House
Tickets: Free. Register online in advance.

The award is open in 3 categories:

11-14 years – Maximum limit 1,000 words 15-17 years – Maximum limit 2,000 words

Adults (18 years +) – Maximum limit 3,000 words

All genres, fiction or non-fiction, are welcome.

Open to Northern Ireland based writers only.
Only original work not previously published will be accepted. One story per writer.
No fee.
Published authors not eligible.

Hosting Library Event about Bernard MacLaverty

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Where: Chichester Library

Tickets: Free. To register contact library with library card.

Feb 24th at 3.30pm – 4.45pm.

This literary discussion will focus on Bernard MacLaverty’s ‘Blank Pages & Other Stories,’ with debate and discussion led by Paul McVeigh.

His collection of twelve extraordinary short stories keep true to MacLaverty’s themes of emotion, the Troubles in Belfast and lived experiences.

In association with Libraries NI

Judging Word Factory Political Short Story Award

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Word Factory Political Short Story Award

In memory of Uschi Gatward 

Mentor: Jacob Ross
Judges: Sam Jordison, Amy Solis, Cathy Galvin, and Paul McVeigh
Submission window: 1 March – 31 May 23

[Writers are] there to help make sense of things, to keep notes, to bear witness, to offer a commentary and a critique, to add to the conversation, and to contribute to the permanent record.Uschi Gatward

In partnership with Writing our Legacy and Galley Beggar Press we are delighted to announce an important new mentorship to support a short story writer whose work demonstrates quality of writing with a strong political ethos. This apprenticeship has been created in memory of former Word Factory Apprentice Award winner Uschi Gatward, whose debut collection, English Magic, was published by Galley Beggar Press to critical acclaim in September 2021, the same month Uschi also received a diagnosis of cancer. Uschi’s spare writing style embraces an acute social and political awareness shaped by personal experience and observation. In her writing, and in her support of other writers, she is deeply missed.

Submission link coming soon.

‘Big Man’ shortlisted for Irish Times Theatre Award

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I’m delighted that Big Man has been shortlisted for the audience choice prize at The Irish Times Theatre Awards. This one-man-show up against all those big productions with massive budgets from the best theatres and companies in the country.

I’m also over-the-moon that James McFettridge has been shortlisted for Best Lighting.

Thanks to all the team!

If you enjoyed the show you can vote here.