In an upcoming Saturday edition of The Irish Times, Fiona Gartland will be in conversation with Paula Hawkins, renowned author of Girl on the Train, about her latest gripping novel, The Blue Hour. Josephine Brady, who served as the Librarian of Cavan County for over twenty years before a cancer diagnosis concluded her professional life, will discuss her fresh tome, The Breath of Consolation: Finding Solace in Cancer Literature. A Silent Tsunami, a memoir penned by Anthea Rowan touching on her mother’s dementia ordeal, will also be under discussion. Sara Lodge will shed light on the unexpected history of Ireland’s 19th-century female detectives, which is the focus of her written work, The Mysterious Case of the Victorian Female Detective. Moreover, Shahnaz Habib, who authored Airplane Mode: Travels in the Ruins of Tourism, will deliberate on the paradoxes found in contemporary tourism. An interview with Ian Rankin will also feature, offering insight into his writing journey and his new Rebus thriller, Midnight and Blue.
In terms of reviews, Obsessed: The Autobiography by Johnny Sexton will be critiqued by Paul Howard, while Michael Cronin will give his thoughts on The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden. Rupert Everett’s The American No will be reviewed by Ruby Eastwood, and Rónán Hesson will assess the top new releases in translated fiction. Conor Brady will review Only a Soldier Knows by Ray Lane. Kieran McConaghy’s critique will focus on Murder by Mail: A Global History of The Letter Bomb by Mitchel P Roth and Mahmut Cengiz. Éilís Ní Dhuibhne will delve into My Roman Year by Andre Aciman, while John Boyne will critique The Unfinished Harauld Hughes by Richard Ayoade. Paul D’Alton is set to review The Breath of Consolation by Josephine Brady, and Mei Chin will examine Entitlement by Rumaan Alam. Nicholas Allen’s review will highlight The Turning Tide: A Biography of the Irish Sea by Jon Gower. Brian Maye will review 1588: The Spanish Armada and the 24 Ships Lost on Ireland’s Shores by Michael B Barry, and Declan Burke will detail the best new releases in the science fiction and fantasy genres.
Established in 2022, Circling The Square has quickly become one of the most important poetry happenings in the nation, within just three years. Created to honour the tenth year of passing of Dennis O’Driscoll, a valued poet and critic born in Thurles, the festival promotes his contributions as a poet of nine collections, two works of essays, and a noteworthy book-length interview with Seamus Heaney titled Stepping Stones. The event also aims to showcase the persistent dynamism of Irish poetry by featuring poets who were contemporaries of Dennis, as well as those too young to have met him.
This year, from October 18th to 20th, The Source Arts Centre in Thurles, Co Tipperary, will play host to some of the country’s most talented poets, who will present their work. The line-up for this year includes renowned poets like Thomas McCarthy, Rita Ann Higgins, Louis De Paor, Mark Roper and many more along with emerging talents such as Molly Twomey, Victoria Kennefick, Jackie Lynam, Victoria Melkovska, and various others.
This exceptional assembly of poets will introduce an array of styles and themes, providing a substantial insight into the craft of poetry. Additionally, on the 19th of October, there will be a workshop guided by Poetry Ireland’s poet-in-residence Anne Tannam, and on the following day, an open-mic session will be held for poets, new or seasoned, to present their work to an appreciative audience.
Complementing the poetry readings, a diverse selection of musical styles, spanning across classical, jazz, folk, and traditional genres, will also be performed. Talented musicians including Gina Oberoi-Engela, Hugh Buckley, Ashraf Taghiyev and Anna Stepanova will be gracing the stage.
The host of the event, Joelle Taylor, along with Chair of Judges and BBC 6 Music’s Craig Charles, and poet Kayo Chingonyi, made public this evening the winners of the 2024 Forward Prizes for Poetry. The Best Collection Award, valued at £10,000, was given to Victoria Chang for her collection, “with my back to the world” (Corsair). The debut collection from Marjorie Lotfi, “The Wrong Person to Ask” (Bloodaxe Books), was conferred the Felix Dennis Prize for Best First Collection, corresponding to a £5,000 reward. Ward of One, a poem originally presented in Poetry London, earned Cind Juyoung Ok the award for Best Single Poem – Written, carrying a £1,000 prize. Leyla Josephine won the Jerwood Prize for Best Single Poem – Performed, for her poem, “Dear John Berger”, also valued at £1,000.
Jane Clarke, an Irish poet on the judging panel, applauded the contributions of the four prize recipients, underscoring them as examples of the relevance and diversity of modern poetry. Of the victors, three are born in the U.S. – Victoria Chang from Detroit, Cindy Juyoung Ok from California, and Marjorie Lotfi from New Orleans. Leyla Josephine, the fourth winner, is from Glasgow. Lotfi is currently a resident of Edinburgh.
Craig Charles, Chair of Judges, revealed the extensive effort required in determining the winners among the impressive catalogue of work reviewed in the six-month long process. According to Charles, settling on the winners in each category from the shortlist posed a significant challenge.
The shortlist for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction 2024, was unveiled at the Cheltenham Literature Festival by Peter Hoskin, one the prize judge. Rachel Clarke, Richard Flanagan, Annie Jacobsen, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Sue Prideaux, and David Van Reybrouck have all made the list this year. Comprehensive information about the weekend’s events and reservations can be accessed from this location.
The prestigious honour acknowledges and rewards exemplary work in the panorama of non-fiction, inviting submissions globally. The author to clinch the honour bags an impressive sum of £50,000, whilst £5,000 is granted to each of the other shortlisted contenders, rendering a cumulative prize fund of £75,000.
The much-anticipated shortlist was judiciously curated by this year’s esteemed critics, namely, Isabel Hilton (head of the panel); Heather Brooke; Alison Flood; Peter Hoskin; Tomiwa Owolade; and Chitra Ramaswamy. Their discerning picks emerged from a pool of 349 literary works that saw publication from November 2023 through October 2024.
The riveting pieces that made it to the final list include: The Story of a Heart by Rachel Clarke; Richard Flanagan’s Question 7; Nuclear War: A Scenario authored by Annie Jacobsen; A Man of Two Faces: A Memoir, A History, A Memorial by Viet Thanh Nguyen; Wild Thing: A Life of Paul Gauguin by Sue Prideaux; and Revolusi: Indonesia and the Birth of the Modern World, a piece by David Van Reybrouck, adeptly translated by David Colmer and David McKay.
Hilton remarked, the shortlisted works demonstrate remarkable diversity in their themes and narrative techniques – they simultaneously challenge existing viewpoints and enhance comprehension. Each submission reflects commendable research and builds an engaging narrative, providing a deep understanding of contemporary, vital issues. The shortlist stands out as a symbol of the power of non-fiction to educate, ignite curiosity, and serve as a source of inspiration. The task of determining the victor is admittedly steep, but one undertaken with excitement and eagerness.
Alaa Abd el-Fattah has been bestowed with the title of ‘Writer of Courage 2024’. This honour belongs to one who advocates freedom of speech, often compromising their personal safety and freedom, and also jointly receives the PEN Pinter Prize. The announcement was made by Arundhati Roy, the recipient of the PEN Pinter Prize 2024, in an official announcement at the British Library, where she was accompanied by Naomi Klein who gave the eulogy. Roy had chosen Abd el-Fattah as her co-laureate, in partnership with English PEN.
Abd el-Fattah, an esteemed author, software engineer and activist of British-Egyptian descent, is one of Egypt’s most notable political detainees, having spent the majority of the previous ten years locked up. He found himself back in custody in 2019 and was sentenced in December 2021 after a two-year pretrial incarceration period. Despite fulfilling his erroneous five-year sentence by September 29th, Abd el-Fattah remains in prison as Egyptian authorities dismiss his pretrial incarceration period, blatantly disregarding both international law standards and Egyptian penal law.
Roy has decided to contribute her portion of the winnings from the award to the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund. Roy then stated her rationale behind nominating the incarcerated blogger and author Alaa Abd el-Fattah as the Courageous Writer who’d share the PEN Pinter Prize with her. It’s the same justification why Egyptian officials have opted to extend his imprisonment by two years rather than setting him free a month prior. He possesses a voice as lovely as it is perilous, and his comprehension of today’s challenges is as piercing as a dagger.
Lina Attalah, accepting the Courageous Writer 2024 award on behalf of Abd el-Fattah, noted: “For those like us, who are persistently seeking the truth via writing, journalism, or other forms, Alaa’s bravery is discernible. According to Bertolt Brecht’s words in an anti-fascist congregation, it’s the valour to admit the concealed truth, the artistry to use it as a weapon, the shrewdness to determine who to disseminate it to. Every piece of writing he created, including newspaper articles, social media posts and prison letters, underscored his ability to identify and express the truth through language. His style is not a self-indulgent musing; rather, it is a call to learn, ponder, and advance. His work from behind bars transformed into a critique of incarceration as the state’s ultimate tool of control. This is the ground because his writings are deserving of such acclaim.”
Klein remarked that Alaa Abd el-Fattah is a paragon of unyielding bravery and intellectual brilliance, akin to the qualities that Arundhati Roy profoundly manifests, which makes her choice of him as the Courageous Writer deeply appropriate. He has been stripped of more than a decade of his liberty by a series of unjust sentences and is still deprived of his release. This award, divided between these two crucial voices, reminds us of the critical need to persistently voice our plea to finally ‘Free Alaa’.
Celebrated author Claire Keegan has been conferred with the esteemed Siegfried Lenz Prize 2024, valued at €50,000, at the Hamburg City Hall the previous Friday. Keegan, aged 56, was hailed by the jury as “a prominent European raconteur.” Her works have been transcribed into 30 different languages and have inspired films. Her book ‘Small Things Like These’ was made into a movie with Cillian Murphy, which premiered at this year’s Berlinale film festival. The literary award is bestowed biennially to international authors who create masterpieces embodying the spirit of the late Siegfried Lenz, a German author who passed away aged 88 in 2014.
Journalist Tanya Sweeney has inked a substantial six-digit publication contract with Transworld for her inaugural novel, ‘Esther is Now Following You,’ slated for release in spring 2026. UK and Commonwealth rights for a two-book agreement were procured by Finn Cotton, the director of Bantam fiction editorial, from Sweeney’s representative Marianne Gunn O’Connor. Marketed as an amusing yet gripping narrative about celebrity fan culture and obsession from a stalker’s viewpoint akin to ‘Baby Reindeer,’ ‘Esther is Now Following You,’ is centred on protagonist Esther. She maintains her sanity by obsessively following Canadian actor and comedian Ted Levy on a fan site geared for ‘Tedettes.’ Esther then impulsively decides to fly to Canada to be closer to Ted: She believes fervently in her inevitable union with Ted Levy, who she feels just requires a tad bit of convincing.
“Cotton expressed her enthusiasm for Tanya, one of Ireland’s most renowned reporters, whose captivating narrative style continually charms readers. Cotton shared her excitement over Tanya branching out into the realm of novel writing. Esther is Now Following You, Tanya’s novel, offers a compelling and amusing insight into a woman’s descent into obsession and continually challenges preconceived notions.
Sweeney was equally thrilled and honoured to appoint Transworld as the official publisher of the book, expressing her happiness that Esther was receiving such a profoundly enthusiastic reception.
The Leaves Festival 2024, orchestrated by Marina Rafter, offers a glimpse into the best of Irish literature and music in Co Laois this November 6th to 9th. Key events include a fusion of poetry and melodies featuring Paul Muldoon, Caoimhín Ó’Raghallaigh on the fiddle and Brendan Begley on the accordion, a book reading from Niall Williams’ latest novel, The Time of the Child, with musical renditions from Mike Hanrahan of Stockton’s Wing, and engaging conversations with accomplished novelists Caoilinn Hughes and Cathy Sweeney held by Rick O’Shea.
Workshops conducted by children’s author pair Eve McDonnell and Sinead O’Hart, a masterclass held by acclaimed poet and novelist Mary O’Donnell, together with Youth by Kevin Curran, the Leaves Festival’s Writer in Residence and star of the Leaves Festival’s One County One Book campaign for Laois, provide further highlights for attendees. To reach a diverse audience, Kevin will conduct readings in places such as Portlaoise Prison, Mount Library and Dunamaise Arts Centre as part of the festival.
In other news, Finders: Justice, Faith, and Identity in Irish Crime Fiction (Syracuse University Press) penned by Anjili Babbar has been feted as Best Mystery-related Nonfiction/Critical at the annual Macavity Awards. The awards, christened after the “mystery cat” from TS. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, see Mystery Readers International’s members nominate and vote for standout mysteries across five categories each year. Praise has been heaped on Babbar’s comprehensive and incisive examination of Northern Irish crime fiction, Finders. Author Adrian McKinty described it as the must-read guide for not only literary scholars but also the casual followers of the exploding sub-genre Celtic Noir.”
Thierry Robin, a writer for Etudes Irlandaises, praised Babbar’s interpretation of the genre, specifically noting how it excellently dissects the “quixotic” aspect of good contemporary crime fiction and most notably, emerald noir.
Furthermore, a list of potential recipients for the An Post Bookshop of the Year at the current An Post Irish Book Awards has been released, commending independent bookshops and local branches of bookshop chains for their invaluable contribution. Among previous victors are Kennys Bookshop and Art Gallery, won in 2021, Wicklow’s Bridge Street Books, crowned in 2022, and Halfway Up The Stairs, another gem from Wicklow, clinched the prize in 2023.
The twelve candidates for the honour include Bantry Bookshop in Bantry, Co. Cork, Dublin’s Books Upstairs, Bridge Books Dromore in Co. Down, Hodges Figgis also in Dublin, New Ross’ Hubb16 in Wexford, Leaf and Bower in Co. Cork’s Ballincollig, Liber from Sligo town, Little Acorns Bookstore in Derry, O’Mahony’s in Limerick, Bray’s Tales for Tadpoles in Co. Wicklow, The Company of Books in Dublin’s Ranelagh, and The Secret Bookshelf in Co. Antrim’s Carrickfergus.
The finalized shortlist is set to be revealed on the 24th of October. At the Irish Book Awards on November 27th, the victor will be conferred with a trophy and a €15,000 reward, courtesy of An Post Commerce.
Larry Mac Hale, who chairs the An Post Irish Book Awards voiced his esteem for bookshops, stating their inherent place in the heart of various Irish communities. He emphasised on their pivotal functions not only to the book industry but also to Ireland’s literary tradition and heritage. He further applauded these cultural hubs for nurturing creativity and fostering a passion for reading in both children and adults. With genuine pride, he expressed his eagerness in extending support in such a manner and offered his congratulations to the worthy longlisted bookshops, sending his best wishes.
“Dawn Behan, the leading figure of Bookselling Ireland, asserts that Irish bookstores play an integral role in the community, providing a place for the exploration and appreciation of literature. She acknowledges the indispensable contributions of booksellers to the literary sector in Ireland who facilitate the relationship between readers and their beloved books. Behan expresses her delight at the recognition their work receives and is enraptured by the eclectic longlist for 2024. She sends her sincerest regards to all those involved.”