Autumn Adult Writing Retreat

Adult Writing Retreat After the success of my first adult writing retreat in May, I am running a second one this November in the same country house in Kildare. http://www.dollardstown.com/   We will hire the venue exclusively for us, so we can have complete run of the place.  They will feed us all of our meals and it’s only one hour from Dublin! DATES The retreat runs over the weekend …

New Online Writing Courses!

This January I am launching online writing course for children (7-12 year olds) / teenagers (11-16 yr olds) and adults: Each course consist of ten modules. For each module I email notes and an assignment to be completed. Once I receive an assignment, I will promptly reply with written feedback on the work and also set the next assignment. My tone will be positive and encouraging, praising what is good …

Children’s Ireland Book Conference

I was lucky enough to attend the Children’s Ireland Book Conference last weekend in the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield. What a super cool venue! John Boyne (one of my heroes) was interviewed by Robert Dunbar, and afterwards I asked John a question. How did he come up with the idea of a boy who floats for his children’s novel ‘The Terrible Thing that Happened to Barnaby Brocket.’ He said that …

New Ventures

Yesterday, I received the goods news that The Department of Education has approved my summer writing courses for teachers. The course ‘Improving Literacy Standards Through Creative Writing’ will take place in Skerries Mills from 6 – 10th and 20 -24th Augus 2012. This is an exciting new venture for me and I hope to meet lots of teachers with a passion for writing. As a result of this, the dates …

More Good News!

This morning I received a very welcome letter in the post: I was informed that my short story ‘The Secret’ has been placed amongst the top five entries for Listowel Writers’ Week Originals, Short Story Competition; the adjudicator highly commended my work. I an delighted! Thank you very much to Eilish Wren, and the team at Listowel Writers’ Week, for taking the time to let me know that you my …

Summer is Coming!

This summer Skerries Mills have given me their gorgeous art gallery  for the month of July and a week at the end of August to run teenage and children’s summer camps, and adult week-long courses. In the Mills there is an excellent Cafe (where adults can natter over cappuccinos) and outside there is lots of green space for younger writers to run around; during the breaks I organise games to …