A collection of Irish authors have responded to Brexit in the Irish Times today. Mine begins…
“One positive thing for Northern Ireland is that Brexit has actually made it visible. Mostly it feels like a little desert island and we jump up and down trying to get the attention of passing aircraft.”
And ends…
“…the whole damn place needs a gaying up!”
Head over the read the full text and the rest of the responses.
Congratulations Toby Binder on ‘Wee Muckers’ becoming huge photo features in The Guardian and now The Washington Post – where my introduction is quoted: “poverty, political strife and living in fear was what we had in common. And the Troubles has become this hugely enveloping, shared experience that binds those generations as much as it divides”.
I’m coming home to Northern Ireland for the Aperture Festival 29th July to August 2nd in Ballycastle. I’ll be giving a reading Sat night. I’m taking part in some panels and giving a class there on Saturday 1st on creative writing.
The following week I’m in Belfast and will give 2 classes at Crescent Arts Centre That Killer First Page and Social Media for Writers. Click to see more about each class and if you’d like to do both, contact me for a discount.
That Killer First Page has sold out in Melbourne, London and Cork. The course helps writers get an insight into what competition judges and editors look for in a short story. This year I’m judging 3 competitions in UK and Ireland.
Social Media for Writers gives my personal experience of using social media and blogging to create and grow a public profile and to generate paid work. My blog is getting 40,000 hits a month and has had over 900,000 visitors.
I hope to see some of you there.
