Coming back to Writing

After a bit of a hiatus due to life events, this week I've been enthused with writing again. Being in the company of other writers, receiving good news, getting back to the theatre and engaging with publishers have all helped.

Last weekend I met up with our SCBWI Ireland Belfast social group. Over coffee we chatted and shared tips and our experiences of submitting our work to publishers and collectively enthused each other.

During the week I attended a couple of performances as part of the Ulster Drama Festival. The standard of acting was extremely high in The Actress by Peter Quilter performed by Bart Players. We were moved and entertained.

And I received unexpected good news during the week from Jonathan Humble, editor of The Dirigible Balloon. I've had a few of my children's poems published on this website, so I was excited to open an email telling me one of these poems has been selected to be included in a forthcoming anthology to be published later this year.

https://dirigibleballoon.org/poem/Exciting-News-From-The-Balloon

I'm honoured that my poem 'Calendar Countdown' will feature alongside the work of other children’s poets, including Michael Rosen and Philip Ardagh. Having met Michael a few years ago at a poetry event, I'm still amazed that my words will be printed in a publication alongside his work. And the best news is that profit from sales of the anthology (out at the end of 2024) will be donated to Juvenile Arthritis Research (UK charity no 1091620).

Last night I facilitated our SCBWI Ireland zoom meeting with Ivan O'Brien from the O'Brien Press. Our members heard Ivan willingly and openly share his experience and tips on Getting Published. It was fun, enlightening and inspiring. I'm delighted that several of our members are now going to sumbit their work as a result of our engagement with Ivan. Now, to dust off that manuscript.....

Cupcakes and Chums

I caught up with a few writing chums last night at the book launch of one of our mutual friend's new YA novel. Jenny Ireland's second novel 'The Boy Next Door' was published earlier in the week by Penguin.  We gathered last night at The Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast to celebrate Jenny's achievement.

Jenny spoke eloquently about her illness and the inspiration behind this novel before reading from it. Later we tucked into delicious cupcakes  - some with a mini book cover made of icing and others that reflected the gorgeous colours in the book cover design. They tasted even better than they looked!

Having got my copy of the novel from The Secret Bookshelf who were at the launch, I queued to get it signed with so many others at the packed event.

Events like this encourage and inspire other writers. They remind me why I enjoy writing and also that writers are among the best people about. Thanks to Marianne McShane for posting this fun photo on Children's Books Belfast instagram account - we really had the best time.