PRESS RELEASE FROM THE IWC ON THE ITALY TRIP

Fourth year of Italo Irish Literature Exchange is celebrated by three publications

Next week (4–10 June) marks the fourth year of the Italo Irish Literature Exchange (IILE). Organised by the Irish Writers’ Centre and its Italian counterpart, ònoma, the IILE enables Irish and Italian writers to take part in readings, workshops, discussions, educational visits and other cultural events in both countries. This fourth year is significant in that it is the first time that publications will emerge as a result of the exchange:
30 May, marks the launch of Inkroci, a new online magazine that showcases works by the participating Irish authors
Ugo Guanda Editore will publish an Italian version of the works of Irish and Italian participants in book form (2015)
New Island Books will publish an English language version of the works of Irish and Italian participants in book form (2015)

The make-up of both the Irish and Italian groups is designed to showcase a mix of emergent and established writers in a range of genres, including novels, short stories, poetry, drama, screenplay, non-fiction and political satire. Among the themes to be discussed with Italian IILE writers and audiences will be the importance of place and identity; migration; the role of writers and writing in responding to the political and economic crises facing Italy and Ireland; the challenges and opportunities facing publishers and writers in both countries in the digital age; and the establishment of further cultural links between Ireland and Italy.

This year’s group includes: - Mia Gallagher - Fabio Bussotti - Sean Hardie - Gaja Cenciarelli - Afric McGlinchey - Francesca Melandri - Liz McManus - Giulio Mozzi - Noel Monahan - Ivano Porpora - Nuala Ní Chonchúir - Federica Sgaggio - William Wall - Gianpaolo Trevisi - Fabio Viola
There have been three visits to date under the IILE banner, two by Italian authors to Dublin (in 2011 and 2012) and one return visit by Irish authors to Verona (in 2012) with the support of Culture Ireland and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura – Dublino. The 2014 trip to Italy represents the return journey of the second incarnation of the IILE, a venture which was spearheaded by writer and former board member of the Irish Writers’ Centre, Catherine Dunne.

The itinerary begins in Rome with a welcome reception and readings in the Irish Embassy, then moves onto the town of Sant’Agata de’ Goti (Campagnia) to meet and exchange with the ònoma writers under the IILE banner. Then, the Irish writers will move onto Lugo and Bologna for events and cultural interchange with translators and other members of the literary society. We are truly delighted to take part in this year’s Italo Irish Literature Exchange (IILE) and are grateful to all of our funders, particularly Culture Ireland, for this opportunity.

INKROCI FEATURES IRISH EXCHANGE WRITERS

On Wednesday morning, while the rest of you sleep, seven Irish writers will board a plane to Roma. We will travel from Rome to Sant' Agata to Lugo and Bologna. Yes, we are finally heading off and it is hard to believe the time has come. We are all very excited about meeting our fellow writers in Italy, as well as meeting students and reading for the Irish Ambassador to Rome, among other events.

In the meantime, we are featured in the Italian literary magazine, Inkroci. See our work here.

PUBLISHING DAY AFTERS

The IWC, Dublin

The seven writers travelling to Italy in June took part in a panel at the Publishing Day at the Irish Writers' Centre on Saturday. It is always hard to know if you are being frightening or encouraging when you talk at these events, but I think the aspiring writers present got a lot for their money on the day.

PENGUIN IRELAND
The morning session saw MD of Penguin Ireland, Michael McLoughlin, talk about what his company does and about what they like to receive. The good news is: everything! The better news is that the two commissioning editors in the company read EVERY script that comes in. There are no pre-readers at Penguin Ireland. That is pretty wonderful service from a top-notch publisher. In further good news un-agented authors are welcome to submit.

In positive news for literary writers, McLoughlin said publishers are more likely to invest time in a lit author. So, even if your first book doesn't sell brilliantly, they won't drop you. Whereas, commercial books 'have to work first time out'. He also said that commercial fiction 'enables Penguin Irl to publish literary fiction', a fact which some people feel unhappy about but which appears to be the truth of things.

LITERARY AGENT
Literary agent Sallyanne Sweeney of Mulcahy Associates, the most Irish of London lit agencies, spoke to the assembled about the dos and don'ts of pitching to an agent.

In good news, she is actively seeking début authors in fiction and non-fiction (including memoir). You can see what genres she is interested in here. She also stated that Mulcahy Assocs want to build long term relationships with their authors. Some of her advice to prospective clients included tips on writing cover letters:

Be polite!
Address the agent by name.
Keep it simple - one page letter only.
Don't mention illnesses or your age - both are irrelevant.
Mention comparative books and your genre.
Don't say your kids love your book - let the work speak for itself.
Don't be apologetic (no info on other rejections).
Proofread your letter carefully!

POETRY SESSION
This session was chaired by Maureen Kennelly of Poetry Ireland, and featured Peter Fallon and Paul Lenehan, both of whom spoke eloquently on the business of poetry editing.

Peter Fallon says he takes on about one writer per year at Gallery Press. And receives enough mss for every day of the year, many of which are clearly not ready to be published. He urged authors to become critics of their own work.

Paul Lenehan gave excellent advice to would-be submitters to Poetry Ireland Review - send up to 6 poems, to give the editor a choice; don't get into a battle of wills if you are rejected; try not to send all 1st person POV poems - make an imaginative leap away from yourself.

LITERARY PANEL
Our panel was chaired by writer and editor Anthony Glavin. Each of us spoke for 5 minutes or so about something instructive from our own writing lives. I talked about the importance of finding the right agent for you. And how it took me 10 years after my first book was published to do that. Other topics covered included setting up your own small press; being your own best editor; self-publishing vs publishers; play writing; cultivating patience as a writer; contracts; earnings; using manuscript appraisal services, and much more besides.

The audience, for the whole day, were very forthcoming with questions, which was good and provoked lively discussion. All in all it was a very informative day, with good presenters, and I would recommend to aspiring writers to watch out for similar events coming up at the IWC.

PUBLISHING DAY - MORE INFO

Publishing Day on Fiction & Poetry - this Saturday!

The Irish Writers' Centre is hosting a special Publishing Day focusing on poetry and fiction on the 8th March. The day is aimed at emerging, unpublished writers who are keen to know the inside track on publishing and how publishers select work.

10.00-10.30: Registration
10.30-11.20: Michael McLoughlin, Managing Director of Penguin Ireland, will give his insights on publishing fiction.
11.20-12.10: Sallyanne Sweeney, a director at Mulcahy Associates Literary Agents in London will share her expertise on what an agent looks for in signing a new writer.
12.10-12.20: Quick tea/coffee break.
12.20-1.10: Maureen Kennelly, Director of Poetry Ireland, and Peter Fallon of The Gallery Press will cover a number of topics relating to poetry publishing.
1.10-2.10: Lunch
2.10-4.15: Author, editor and Novel Fair judge Anthony Glavin will moderate and contribute to a panel of six published authors working in a range of forms and genres including: Mia Gallagher, Sean Hardie, Liz McManus, Noel Monahan, Nuala Ní Chonchúir and William Wall.

There will be a generous amount of Q&A time built into each of the sessions.

For more information and for booking, click here.

PUBLISHING DAY PANEL - IWC

The seven writers who are off to Italy in June will take part in a panel, chaired by Anthony Glavin, at the Irish Writers' Centre's Publishing Day this spring.

The Publishing Day at the IWC will also feature the Penguin Ireland Director, a London literay agent, poetry experts and a panel of writers.

Cost: €60/€50 members.

Date: 8th March.

Full details here.

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