Professional Development Events at DBF23

The Dublin Book Festival has a wide variety of Professional Development events for all ages, whether your interest or passion in publishing is fledgling or already an established career. Explore iconic Dublin venues and take a peek behind the curtain of Ireland’s publishing industry with some of the best in the business. 

We’re kicking off the show on Wednesday November 8th in the evening with an event for teens with a passion for books and reading. Whether you’re a pro at your English essays or a massive bookworm, check out our online Paper Lanterns Writing Workshop for Young Adults at 7pm to work on writing non-fiction essays and informative book reviews and submitting to literary journals [TICKETS HERE]. 

Our two professional development events on Thursday November 9th are can’t miss, trust us. Join Director of the Irish Writers Centre Valerie Bistany and our own Dublin Book Festival Director Julianne Siron at 11am in the Irish Writers Center for our Literary Producers Event, a facilitated discussion exploring the considerable challenges of the media landscape and audience engagement of the Arts world, and more. If you’re a professional creating literature events at festivals, venues, libraries or elsewhere, this event is perfect for you [TICKETS HERE].

Sarah Webb – Photo © Ger Holland

Later at 6.30pm in The Studio at dlr LexIcon, join us for Properbook 2023: The Business of Children’s Books. If you want to know more about writing or illustrating books for children of all ages come ask your burning questions to a panel of Award-winning Children’s Authors and representatives from Children’s Books Ireland, The O’Brien Press, Little Island Books and Futa Fata [TICKETS HERE]. 

Friday November 10th, as is tradition and open to all publishers in Ireland, the Publishing Ireland Annual Irish Publishers Conference Trade Day will be taking place in The Printworks, Dublin Castle, where industry professionals will take to the stage to share their secrets and reveal the latest trends shaping the publishing landscape. From sustainability concerns, the use of AI in publishing and more, explore full details, schedule and bookings [TICKETS HERE]. 

Anna Carey

Outside of the conference, we’ve got a great Friday line up. Join award-winning author and journalist Anna Carey on Friday at 11am in the Learning Room at the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) for top tips on Effectively Chairing Literary Events. This training session is presented in partnership with Children’s Books Ireland and is intended to provide training for anyone who would like to gain skills in chairing engaging, informative and fun literary events for all types of audiences [TICKETS HERE]. 

If you can’t get in on Friday morning, never fear, there are great evening events as well. For this year’s annual Dublin Review Conversations event, join us in the Glass Mask Theater at 6pm for Dublin Review Conversations: The Edit Suite where editors of The Stinging Fly, Banshee and Tolka join The Dublin Review to talk about what they do, how they do it, and how their work relates to the broader culture [TICKETS HERE].

Ciara Ní É

Or, back in The Printworks, IWC Bilingual Takin’ the Mic returns to the festival at 7.30pm for an evening of poetry and prose in English and Irish. Hosted by M.C. Ciara Ní É with readings from special guest author Declan Toohey, as well as an ‘open mic’ for writers, poets and musicians. Everyone welcome! Tá Takin’ the Mic ag Féile Leabhar Bhaile Átha Cliath le hghaidh sár-oíche filíochta, focal labhartha agus grinn i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge. Arna óstáil ag M.C. le léamha ó aoi speisialta chomh maith le ‘mic oscailte’ do scríbhneoirí, filí agus ceoltóirí. Fáilte roimh chách! [TICKETS HERE]

Jan Carson

On Saturday November 11th at 1.15pm in the Chester Beatty, novelist and commissioning editor Olivia Fitzsimons will be in discussion with three award-winning authors for The Stinging Fly – This So-Called Writing Life, a yearlong essay series published on stingingfly.org discussing the highs and lows they’ve experienced while developing their creative practice [TICKETS HERE]. Or drop by on Saturday back in The Printworks after 2.30pm to Meet the Publishers, don’t worry about reserving a ticket, just come by and chat. It’s the perfect–and free–opportunity to answer all your questions about publishing. We’re also introducing publishers and journals driven by a vision for social change, so come check out some of our special guest speakers.

This November, take advantage of these Professional Development events and opportunities to get your questions answered and demystify the publishing industry. Whether there is a specific challenge you or your colleagues are facing, or you’re interested in developing new skills or entering the field for yourself, we’ve got you covered. Make sure to check out our full programme of events [HERE] to find these events and more. We can’t wait to see you soon!