Dublin Writers Festival – 20th – 26th May 2013

For all you budding writers seeking advice and tips, the Dublin Writers Festival is an absolute must. Running from 20th – 26th May 2013 the week long event is perfect for every aspiring writer jam-packed with workshops and talks from some the industry’s finest talents. The annual celebration of the written word, returns to the capital with a breathtaking line up of inspiring events. Audiences are invited to ‘Be Part of the Story’ and hear the ideas behind the words as the finest Irish and international writers engage in readings, talks, debates, and workshops across the city.

Curated by Sinéad Connolly, the programme includes a wide range of events for all ages, including the Get Drawn In initiative, which will see 500 school children taking part in events all over the city, featuring top European picture books makers Hervé Tullet (France), Sarah McIntyre (UK) and Ireland’s Laureate na nÓg, Niamh Sharkey. The Ark are hosting an Irish language programme for schools with Patricia Forde, Aine Ní Ghlinn, Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin and Diarmuid de Faoite.

There are plenty of events for children at the week-end, with a choice of indoor and outdoor workshops; and author events with Costa award winner and dyslexia advocate Sally Gardner, master of horror Darren Shan, Jennifer Gray’s witty Cat burglar, Andy Briggs with his re-imagined Tarzan series, and debut novelist Dawn O’Porter.

Budding young teenage writers will be taking part in workshops throughout May with poet Dave Lordan, leading to a performance as part of the popular and streetwise Brownbread Mixtape (featuring the best Irish spoken word performers, comedians and musicians).

The festival also examines the science of programming children’s events, bringing together representatives from the Discover Story Centre, Southbank Centre in London, and Fighting Words and The Ark in Dublin for Drawing Children In, an event highlighting innovative new approaches to literature programming.

This year’s stellar line up includes, amongst others, a rare visit from American literary master James Salter; author of one of the bestselling novels of all time Dan Brown; Booker prize winning heavyweights Thomas Keneally, Anne Enright, Roddy Doyle and John Banville; and compelling contemporary poets Robin Robertson and Frank McGuinness. Proving that feminism is alive and well, Caitlin Moran will bring her sparkling wit and razor sharp intelligence to bear on a dizzying array of topics.

For more information about the festival and a full programme listing, check out the Dublin Writers Festival website.