nd year I’m judging –
About the competition
The Seán Ó Faoláin Short Story Competition is an annual short story competition open to writers from around the world, submissions accepted from March to July annually. It is dedicated to one of Ireland’s most accomplished story writers and theorists and is sponsored by the Munster Literature Centre.
With live readings from the shortlisted writers
The annual Swansea University International Dylan Thomas Prize is one of the most prestigious awards for young writers. It encourages raw creative talent worldwide and celebrates international literary excellence. I’m honoured to be one of this year’s judges.
Launched in 2006, the £30,000 Prize is awarded to best published literary work in the English language written by an author aged 39 or under. The 2017 winner was Fiona Macfarlane for her critically acclaimed collection of short stories, The High Places.
Join us for live readings from shortlisted authors and an audience Q&A, just a few days before this year’s prize is awarded.
This year’s shortlisted writers are:
Zambian-born poet, MC and music producer Kayo Chingonyi (31) for his debut collection of poetry ‘Kumakanda’, which explores the rites of passage boys go through to become men, the intersection of masculinity and race and what it means to be British and not British, all at once.
Cuban-American short-story writer Carmen Maria Machado’s (31) debut short story collection ‘Her Body & Other Parties’ explores the eroticism, violence and emotion of the female experience through a potent mix of science fiction, ghost stories and fairytales.
Six-time British novelist Gwendoline Riley (39) has been shortlisted for ‘First Love’, a compelling tale of toxic love and poisonous partnerships which has been shortlisted for the Bailey’s Women’s Prize for Fiction and the Goldsmiths Prize.
Irish debut novelist and Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Sally Rooney (27) has been called the ‘Salinger for the Snapchat generation’ for her runaway success ‘Conversations with Friends’
Debut American novelist Emily Ruskovich (33) is shortlisted for her thriller hit Idaho, which tells the story of a mother suddenly killing her six-year-old daughter.
American thriller author Gabriel Tallent (30) has been shortlisted for his debut novel ‘My Absolute Darling,’ called ‘the year’s must-read novel’ by The Times and ‘a masterpiece’ by Stephen King.
Price:
Full Price: £10.00
Member: £10.00
Senior 60+: £8.00
Student: £7.00
Registered Unemployed: £7.00
Under 18: £7.00
Friend of the British Library: £10.00
Enquiries:
+44 (0)1937 546546
boxoffice@bl.uk
It’s been quite a week!
I flew to London last Thursday to teach a class The Author & Social Media and to read at an event A Novel Affair, both at the Irish Cultural Centre. It was a great class, and the event went really well – after readings from the authors, there was a long and interesting Q&A from the audience made up of writers.
Alan McMonagle and me
On Friday I interviewed Booker-winner Anne Enright at the biggest bookshop in Europe, Waterstones Piccadilly. The packed event was a real insight to Enright’s writing process and I’ve never heard her read so well.
Anne Enright and me
After a sold-out class in Lewes on Saturday I went to Brighton where The Good Son was the City Reads and to see old friends.
I was back in London on Monday for meetings with my old pal and BBC National Short Story Award-winner KJ Orr and my agent Carrie Kania.
On Tuesday I went Swansea in Wales for the shortlisting meeting for the Dylan Thomas Prize and got to meet some of the panel. The next day I taught at Swansea University before flying back to Belfast.
It’s wonderful traveling around doing interesting work and meeting fascinating people but there are times when a night in your own bed is priceless. So, after a day at home I’m heading off now to Dublin for the weekend. I’m delighted to be reading at The Franco-Irish Literary Festival with events taking place at the Alliance Francaise and Dublin Castle. You can download the programme and come along to see Rob Doyle, Lisa McInerney and Anne Enright – the events are free!
You can check my other upcoming events in the flyer below. Come up and say hello!
Any other questions don’t hesitate to email us lewesshortstoryclub@gmail.com or visit our website www.lewesshortstory.co.ukWe look forward to seeing you there!
Date and Time: Sat 17 March. 2pm – 4pm.
I recently did an event for the Royal Society of Literature on Can Literature Solve Poverty? Nicola Solomon of the Society of Authors as there and she has quoted me in an article in the Bookseller about authors’ earnings.
“With these figures how can we encourage new and diverse voices into the industry? Author Paul McVeigh says: “Working-class writers can’t afford to take up a career in writing, it is considered elitist and too risky. Families with uncertain incomes often expect their children to leave education earlier and to support them, and press them to get a ‘proper’ job rather than rely on writing.”
Read the full article here.
