The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
THE second annual Doolin Short Story Competition, details of which were announced on Monday, offers both experienced and budding writers an opportunity to put their skills to the test. An attractive prize fund should help to stir the writers’ creativity.
Hotel Doolin has confirmed a prize fund of €1,000 will be awarded to the winning entrant, with prizes of €600 and €400 prizes for the second and third placed entries respectively. The winning entries will be announced at the Doolin Writers’ Weekend on March 28 to 30.
Competition entries will be judged this year by Anthony Glavin, former editor of New Irish Writing in the Irish Press (1986-88) and former commissioning editor with New Island Books (1994-2004). The Boston-born author has published two story collections, One for Sorrow and The Draughtsman and The Unicorn. His stories have also appeared in many Irish, UK and US anthologies, while is also the author of a critically acclaimed novel, Nighthawk Alley.
The second annual Doolin Writers’ Weekend will feature workshops and readings by some of Ireland’s leading writers including Claire Keegan, Claire Kilroy, Theo Dorgan and Arlene Hunt. There will also be a publishing workshop with Eoin Purcell from New Island Press and live traditional Irish music sessions hosted by Conor Byrne, as well as a DJ set by music legend Terri Hooley.
“It is a great opportunity for aspiring writers as well as literary fans and published authors to get together and celebrate everything that is good about Irish literature”, explained event organiser and Doolin Hotel general manager, Donal Minihane.
“Many artists and writers spent time in Doolin, including JM Synge, George Bernard Shaw, Dylan Thomas, Augustus John and Oliver St. John Gogarty. This spring we look forward to welcoming back some of Ireland’s best writers to North Clare,” he added.
Entries to the Doolin Short Story Competition 2014 can be on any theme and should be no longer than 3,000 words. The closing date for entries is Monday, March 3 at 5pm.
