Professional Development Events at DBF24

At the heart of Dublin Book Festival is our writers, from the established, to the emerging, the aspiring and all those looking to hone their skills during the buzz of the festival. From panel discussions, where experienced writers and those in the industry share their insights, to writing workshops, showcases for new voices, a meet up for professional children’s authors and illustrators, and more, this year’s programme provides an array of events for writers of all levels, as well as those working within the industry who are seeking to better support the writers they work with. Read on for a selection of these events and, as always, visit the full programme for more.

The Artist and the City is a one day symposium happening all day out in DCU on Wednesday 6 November.

Join DCU Arts Council Writer in Residence, and the mastermind behind this event, Aingeala Flannery, for a day which includes a workshop, writing clinics, an inspiring writers panel discussion, and more. Featuring Stephen James Smith, Luke McManus, Roisin Kiberd, Ferdia Mac Anna, Darren Murphy, Louise Nealon, Muireann Ní Chíobháin and Declan Toohey. Book here.

Chiamaka Enyi-Amadi

Writing from the Margins on Thursday 7 November at The New Theatre sees Chiamaka Enyi-Amadi and Páraic Kerrigan in conversation with Aoife Martin about their own writing, and they will also explore and consider the challenges faced by minority groups when writing and publishing with mainstream press. Book here.

On Friday 8 November at The Printworks, the “Future, Now” Annual Irish Publishers Conference is a full day of presentations, discussions, learning and networking, and an invaluable opportunity open to all publishers in Ireland. Book here.

This year’s Literary Producer Event on Friday 8 November in our Festival Hub at The Printworks will once again allow those producing literary events to come together to share insights and learnings from the past year. This year, we are also delighted to have contributions from guests working internationally in the world of literature. Book here

Let’s Talk Children’s Books on Friday 8 November is a meet up for professional children’s authors and illustrators, hosted by Sarah Webb and members of Cruthú/Create. The new guild’s aim is to host regular meet ups where professional children’s creatives can exchange experiences and ideas, and talk about their work in a mutually supportive environment. Some come on down for a coffee and chat, at our Festival Hub, with your children’s book-creating peers! Book here.

The Play It Forward Fellowships, delivered by Skein Press and supported by The Rowan Trust, nurture and amplify the talents of writers whose voices and stories have traditionally been underrepresented in Irish literature and publishing. Come on down to this special showcase at our Festival Hub on Friday 8 November as this year’s fellows – Sara Chudzik, Helen Hutchinson, Emer Lyons, Roxana Manouchehri, Aoife Martin, Sadhbh Moriarty, Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan and Nellie Warren – read some of their new work. Book here.

In another wonderful showcase event, the Irish Writers Centre Foundation Showcase on Friday 8 November in the Dublin Liberties Distillery sees emerging writers Aoife Horan, Declan Jones, Clíona Malin, Catriona Murphy, Ifunanya Ogochukwu and Khaled Sultan all take to the stage to perform some of their new work. Book here.

Soula Emmanuel

Then stick around straight after this as the Irish Writers Centre Bilingual Takin’ the Mic kicks off! An evening of poetry and prose in English and Irish hosted, by Zainab Boladale with readings from special guest author Soula Emmanuel, the ‘open mic’ element will see more writers, poets and musicians take to the stage to share their best work! Book here.

In a seated but no doubt equally lively discussion, our panel of experts will delve into the brand new edition of The Irish Writers Handbook on Saturday 9 November at our Festival Hub. Ronan Colgan (Wordwell), Deirdre Nolan (Eriu), Ruth Hegarty (Royal Irish Academy), and Patrick O’Donoghue (Gill Books) will share an abundance of valuable insights and advice as they discuss some of the themes explored in this essential manual for writers. Book here.

Jessica Traynor © Ruth Medjber

Shortly after this, and also at our Festival Hub, the Dublin Review Conversations: The Essay Clinic will provide inspiration and insights for writers and readers alike, as three of the Review’s brilliant contributors – Sam Bungey, Brenda Romero and Jessica Traynor – choose an essay from the journal’s nearly twenty-four years of publishing, talking about what they love about these essays, how they relate to their own work, and what they tell us about the art and craft of essay writing. Book here.

We also have two booked-out practical workshops. Those joining acclaimed poet Colm Keegan will explore how creatives can harness the power of creativity towards social change in their communities, while those joining writer Wendy Erskine will get to explore short story possibilities through pop videos and Chekhov.