The new website of Irish Pages: A Journal of Contemporary Writing is now online. On the website, you can:
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Note from the Editors:
Although Irish Pages is mainly a prose journal, poetry is, of course, a major component of the journal’s mix of genres. On average, about a third of contributors and about a quarter of each issue have been given over to poetry, in both Irish and English, and including translations from other languages. There are also substantial essays on the poetic art by noted practitioners. This distinct but circumscribed space for poetry reflects the view of both poet-editors that in the context of a general-readership journal such as Irish Pages, a lean selection of poetry is likely to be read more attentively within the overall mix.

The sole criteria for inclusion in the journal are the distinction of the writing and the integrity of the individual voice. There are no favoured styles, themes, schools, publishers, critical hierarchies, and so on. Equal editorial attention will be given to established, emergent and new writers. Submissions are especially encouraged from younger poets, or poets at an early stage in their careers.

The Diverse Writers Group are holding a workshop at Tralee Library on Saturday the 6th of March from 12-4pm in the Women’s Resource Centre, 35, Ashe St, Tralee.

Anyone interested in attending should contact Jane Obude at 0870635812 or by email.

The Forge at Gort festival will feature a poetry workshop with Pete Mullineaux and will take place on Saturday, March 27th. at 11am in Sullivan’s Royal Hotel, the Square, Gort, Co. Galway.

The poetry workshop is open to writers at all levels. Participants are invited to bring one of their own poems for discussion. Some of the time will be spent writing short spontaneous pieces, with the aim of unlocking new perspectives and inner voices. He will also touch on the poet’s ‘voice’ and how the poem sounds when read aloud.

For more details contact 0872178138 or email westernwriters@eircom.net

For those of you that couldn’t make the lunchtime reading with Seamus Heaney in the National Gallery – we have the entire reading on film. Visit our video archive to watch the full reading – or click below to hear Mid-term Break.

Listowel Writing Workshops for spring 2010 will take place at the Seanchaí Literary Centre, Listowel, Co Kerry.

WRITING FOR THEATRE: 10 – 11 April with Billy Roche.
This workshop will deal with beginnings and endings and the bits in-between, along with the rules of the road regarding writing for the stage. Participants may send in their work beforehand for assessment and discussion.

SHORT FICTION: 17 – 18 April with Leo Cullen
How does the writer of fiction accomplish success? – By presenting the work in such a way that the reader can see, hear, taste, smell, touch it. The reader must be engaged and stimulated through his/her senses. With this in mind, the workshop will incorporate:

1. Characterization: We will develop character by showing how the character acts in given situations. We will get to know the character. We will present him/her in such a way that the reader can see, hear, taste, smell, touch him/her.
2. Setting (or) Atmosphere: We will show the setting in which the character acts out his/her situation. We will present the setting (or atmosphere) in such a way that the reader can see, hear, taste, smell, touch it.
3. Plot (or) Conflict: We will show the conflict. Where characters interact with one another and with the setting we have conflict/plot. We will present the conflict in such a way that the reader can – yes, you’ve guessed – see, hear, taste, smell, touch it!
The emphasis will be on group participation; writers will read their own course work and then the class will discuss. On completion of the course, writers will have brought greater energy and tension into their work.

WRITING POETRY: 24 – 25 April with Paul Perry
This workshop will focus on the creation of new work through the use of writing exercises and assignments in poetry. Mornings in particular will be devoted to the writing of new work with directed assignments. During the afternoon session we will workshop the new work with constructive criticism. Workshop participants will also have a chance during the two days for individual one-on-one sessions with Paul to discuss their work, its strength and weaknesses, and strategies for improving their work. Participants may bring some examples of work-in-progress for critique, but the main focus of the two days will be the making of new work while in Listowel. The workshop will aim to create a supportive environment while investigating and developing the notion of a ‘voice’ for each author. We will also discuss the practicalities of publishing and appropriate ways participants can submit work for publication. The workshop is open to new or experienced writers who want to develop their craft.

LITERARY READINGS:
As part of the 2010 Spring Workshops Programme all three writers will give a reading from their works on each Saturday evening of the workshop at 8 pm in the Seanchaí Centre. Admission is free for workshop participants, and €5.00 for the general public.

Fee Per Workshop : €130.00

T: 068 22212 E: info@kerrywritersmuseum.com W: www.kerrywritersmuseum.com

Gangway is looking for submissions for issue 40 – dedicated to expatriates and expatriation in all its forms.

From the Latin expatriare, ex (out of, from) and patria (pater/father; paternal; fatherland), the word ‘expatriat’ literally demonstrates the bond that the subject has to the old land, the “pater” land, even as he/she is ex – out of it…..

Submissions are sought from expat poets, writers, scholars, thinkers and artists on the theme of expatriation – with only the caveat that expatriates are not tourists. (No travel writing, tourism, tales of extended trips, vacations or gap years).

Please send all submissions to: editors@gangan.com before the deadline of 1 June, 2010

With Valentine’s Day looming we thought we should choose some favourite love poems – it might inspire you to write one of your own!

These nights are gifts,
our hands unwrapping the darkness,
to see what we have.

The train rushes,
ecstatic,
to where you are,
my bright star.
- December, Carol Ann Duffy.

here is love
like a tinsmith’s scoop
sunk past its gleam
in the meal-bin.
- Mossbawn Sunlight, Seamus Heaney.

You are so beautiful
and I am a fool
to be in love with you
is a theme that keeps coming up
in songs and poems.
There seems to be no room for variation.
I have never heard anyone sing
I am so beautiful
and you are a fool to be in love with me,
even though this notion has surely
crossed the minds of women and men alike.
- Night Club, Billy Collins

We were flinging it from you to me, me to you, you to me;
me-you, you-me, me-you, you back again.
And you would have sworn that its flat arc was a pendulum
- Without Me, Leontia Flynn.

Or something a little more classical?

O! never say that I was false of heart,
Though absence seem’d my flame to qualify,
As easy might I from my self depart
As from my soul which in thy breast doth lie:
That is my home of love: if I have ranged,
Like him that travels, I return again;
Just to the time, not with the time exchanged,
So that myself bring water for my stain.
Never believe though in my nature reigned,
All frailties that besiege all kinds of blood,
That it could so preposterously be stained,
To leave for nothing all thy sum of good;
For nothing this wide universe I call,
Save thou, my rose, in it thou art my all.
- Sonnet 109, William Shakespeare

Have you a favourite? Will you be writing your own?

Our Lunchtime Reading Series, in association with the National Gallery of Ireland, continue this week with poet, critic and current Poetry Ireland editor Caitríona O’Reilly. The reading begins at 1.05pm on Wednesday 10 February in the lecture theatre at the National Gallery of Ireland.

Last weeks reading with Thomas McCarthy was a great success – and for those who missed it, here’s a chance to see it again:

Revival Poetry Journal is calling for submissions from local, national and international poets for the next issue which will be published in Limerick, April 2010. The deadline for submissions is 28 February 2010 for Issue 15.

Submission guidelines can be found here. Send to: The Editor, Revival, Moravia, Glenmore Ave., Roxboro Rd, Limerick.

The Irish Times Poetry Now Award shortlist was announced on Saturday (30 Jan) in the Irish Times.

The winner will be announced during the DLR International Poetry Festival, March 25th-28th. Click for more details.

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To celebrate the shortlist Gallery Press are offering sets of their shortlisted books at special offer prices for one week only* (until Monday 8th February 2010 @ 10am GMT).

Visit gallerypress.ie for more details.