This programme is for writers who have already published two books and who practice in the following genres and forms: fiction, creative non-fiction, children’s/Young Adult fiction and poetry.
Dedicated places:
Writers from or living in Northern Ireland: Two places are reserved for writers from or living in Northern of Ireland, thanks to the support of the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
The Irish Writers Centre encourages applications from writers from backgrounds currently underrepresented in Irish literature. We particularly encourage applications from people who are D/deaf, neurodivergent & disabled, LGBTQIA+, Minority Ethnic, Black & Persons of Colour, Roma, a member of the Travelling Community, and from working class backgrounds. We also encourage writers who are writing in the Irish Language to apply. While we can't guarantee that all of our supports are delivered as Gaeilge, some elements of the programme can be arranged in Irish.
Key dates:
- Monday, 28 September 2026, 4-5pm, online: Introductions, with Irish Writers Centre CEO & Irish Writers Centre Team
- Monday, 12 October 2026, 4-5.30pm, online: Forum 1
- Saturday, 7 November 2026, 10am-3pm, in-person: Evolution Day (a day of talks taking place in-person at the Irish Writers Centre on 19 Parnell Square)
- Monday 16 November 2026, 4-5.30pm, online: Forum 2
- Monday 14 December 2026, 4-5.30pm, online: Forum 3
- Monday 11 January 2027, 4-5.30pm, online: Forum 4
- Monday 15 February 2027, 4-5.30pm, online: Forum 5
- Saturday 20 March 2027, 10am-3pm, in-person: Evolution Saturday (a day of talks taking place in-person at the Irish Writers Centre on 19 Parnell Square)
- Monday 29 March 2027, 4-5.30pm, online: Forum 6
How to Apply
Please submit the following two documents before Tuesday, 30 June 2026 at 15:59pm:
Document One should include:
A letter of intent that includes:
- Why you would like to be on the programme.
- How you can contribute to skill-sharing forums with your peers on the scheme.
- Confirmation that you are available for the monthly online forums and the two in-person Evolution days (dates above).
A writer’s CV (max. two A4 pages) that includes your birth year, postal address, Postcode/Eircode and email and mobile number. Please also include publisher names and ISBNs for publications.
Please collate the above into one single document.
Document Two should include:
Two short samples of no more than 600 words each or two poems, no more than 60 lines each, one published work and one work-in-progress, ensuring that your name is not on them (these will be sent for blind readings). This must be in a seperate document.