The James White Award is a competition for original short stories of not more than 6,000 words by non-professional writers. The closing date for entries to this year’s competition is midnight (GMT) 31 January 2014 The winner will be announced at Satellite 4, Eastercon 2014 (18-21 April, 2014) during the BSFA Awards ceremony (details to be confirmed).
This year’s prize is £200 plus publication in Interzone. The judging panel will be announced shortly..
The rules in brief:
The James White Award is open to previously unpublished stories of 6000 words or less by non-professional authors from anywhere in the world, but the stories must be written in English. Stories are judged anonymously so names should be removed from manuscripts. You may enter online (strongly preferred) or by post but all entries must be accompanied by a completed entry form. Manuscripts will not be returned. The organisers strongly recommend you read, in full, the rules below before entering.
Monday, 30 December 2013
The Sophie King Prize
Free to Enter
Deadline: 10th January 2014
One entry per writer is allowed.
The story must be a minimum of 1,500 and a maximum of 2,500 words in length.
The story must be a minimum of 1,500 and a maximum of 2,500 words in length.
Open to both published and unpublished writers worldwide.
The winning story will be recorded by a professional actor, and broadcast from a dedicated online audio player at www.sophieking.info, www.thesophiekingprize.com and www.greatstorieswithheart.com.
The winner will also receive a pair of Silver-Plated Life Long Champagne Chalices + a £50 voucher (= to approx. $79) from The Handpicked Collection.
One runner up will receive a £25 voucher (= to approx. $39) from The Handpicked Collection. Please note the vouchers will be issued in £ sterling but can be redeemed worldwide
Friday, 27 December 2013
3 Literary Agents Seeking New Clients
3 Literary Agents Seeking New Clients
About Katie Reed: Katie obtained her Bachelor’s in English from California State University, Sacramento, but the most enlightening part of her college career was her internship with Andrea Hurst & Associates. There she discovered her passion for being part of the process that connects compelling stories with book-hungry readers. Katie is looking for stories that demand to be read, having characters that transcend the page and remain in her thoughts long after the book has been closed. She represents all areas of young adult and adult fiction and nonfiction, with a special interest in YA and fantasy. Katie resides in the small town of Durham, California with her incredible husband, her joyful son, and Snoodles, her loyal cat. Besides her addiction to reading, she is also a diehard Miami Heat fan and obsessed with all things Disney.
What she is seeking:
All areas of YA fiction, particularly:
Commercial, with a compelling hook and a protagonist who battles real life teen issues
Science fiction (soft)
Fantasy
Commercial and Literary Adult Fiction in the following genres:
Book Club Women’s Fiction
Science Fiction (soft)
Fantasy
Suspense/Thriller
Contemporary Romance
Nonfiction in the following genres:
Memoir/Biography with a strong platform
Self-help
Crafts/How-to
Inspirational
True Crime (I would prefer to avoid this unless it is high profile and current)
Parenting
How to contact her: katie [at] andreahurst.com. Put “Query” in the subject line of your query. “Please include your query in the body of the email–no attachments. Do not send proposals, sample chapters or manuscripts unless specifically requested by an agent. They will not be opened or returned. Please indicate if you are simultaneously submitting to other agents. Give us some time to respond—in busy periods [or the holiday season] this may take several weeks.”
*****
About Jordy Albert: Jordy Albert is a Literary Agent and co-founder of The Booker Albert Literary Agency. She holds a B.A. in English from Pennsylvania State University, and a M.A. from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. She has worked with Marisa Corvisiero during her time at the L. Perkins Agency and the Corvisiero Literary Agency. Jordy also works as a freelance editor/PR Director. She enjoys studying languages (French/Japanese), spends time teaching herself how to knit, is a HUGE fan of Doctor Who, and loves dogs.
What she is seeking: Middle Grade - contemporary, fantasy, action/adventure, or historical. Young adult - open to pretty much any genre; however, she's looking especially for YA that has a very strong romantic element-or which romance plays an integral part in the plot). New Adult romance and adult romance (again, open to pretty much any genre).
Please do not send poetry or short stories.
How to contact her: E-mail Jordy at jordy@thebookeralbertagency.com
*****
About John Weber: John Weber grew up in the Midwest where Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin meet on the
What he is seeking: John Weber is looking for middle grade and young adult stories with universal themes told in unique settings, which show developing and changing relationships between characters. Because of his science/math/computer science background, he is interested in realistic historical fiction using current technology and projecting technology into the future. He is also wants well-researched science fiction, with no fantasy elements where science forms the foundation of progressive societies in the future.
John is no longer accepting children's picture books, fantasy, science fiction, poetry, and submissions from authors who are currently incarcerated. He is especially eager for non-fiction, African-American fiction, Latino fiction and non-fiction, young adult fiction, women’s fiction and non-fiction, and prescriptive non-fiction.
How to contact him: Serendipity Literary Agency uses an online contact form. Please read their submission instructions before contacting.
Short story and poetry submissions
| GeminiMAGAZINE |
Hello!
Still time to enter the fourth annual Gemini Magazine Poetry Open featuring a Grand Prize of $1,000. Email/postmark deadline: January 2. No rules! Any style, any subject. Entry fee: $5 for up to three poems. Second place wins $100 and four honorable mentions each receive $25. All six finalists will be published online in the March 2014 issue of Gemini. Read previous winners at the above link. Our fifth annual Short Story Contest just opened. It runs through March 31 and also offers a $1,000 prize. Rules: none. Entry fee: $5. General submissions are open year round. No fee. We now pay $10 for each general submission we publish. |
| GeminiMAGAZINE |
Hello!
Still time to enter the fourth annual Gemini Magazine Poetry Open featuring a Grand Prize of $1,000. Email/postmark deadline: January 2. No rules! Any style, any subject. Entry fee: $5 for up to three poems. Second place wins $100 and four honorable mentions each receive $25. All six finalists will be published online in the March 2014 issue of Gemini. Read previous winners at the above link. Our fifth annual Short Story Contest just opened. It runs through March 31 and also offers a $1,000 prize. Rules: none. Entry fee: $5. General submissions are open year round. No fee. We now pay $10 for each general submission we publish. |
The south Circular seeking submissions
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Tuesday, 24 December 2013
Patrick Kavanagh's poem 'A Christmas Childhood' in Ireland
Patrick Kavanagh's poem 'A Christmas Childhood' in Ireland
My father played the melodion
Outside at our gate;
There were stars in the morning east;
And they danced to his music.
Across the wild bogs his melodion called
To Lennons and Callans.
As I pulled on my trousers in a hurry
I knew some strange thing had happened.
Outside in the cow-house my mother
Made the music of milking;
The light of her stable-lamp was a star
And the frost of Bethlehem
A water-hen screeched in the bog,
Mass-going feet
Crunched the wafer-ice on the pot-holes,
Somebody wistfully twisted the bellows wheel.
My child poet picked out the letters
On the grey stone,
In silver the wonder of a Christmas townland,
The winking glitter of a frosty dawn.
Cassiopeia was over
Cassidy's hanging hill,
I looked and three whin bushes rode across
The horizon - the Three Wise Kings.
An old man passing said:
"Can't he make it talk" -
The melodion, I hid in the doorway
And tightened the belt of my box-pleated coat.
I nicked six nicks on the door-post
With my penknife's big blade -
There was a little one for cutting tobacco.
And I was six Christmases of age.
My father played the melodion,
My mother milked the cows,
And I had a prayer like a white rose pinned
On the Virgin Mary's blouse.
Monday, 16 December 2013
Petals and Pages short fiction
Petals and Pages
Deadline: 31st December 2013
Petals and Pages is dedicated to all things literary. It comprises reviews, thoughts and comments on new writing and more classic works alike. It is currently seeking submissions for the launch of its new 'Short Fiction' page. Submit 2,500 words or less. "There is no theme, just be as interesting, ambitious and engaging as you can."
Competitions and submissions short fiction
(d) ROPES 2014
Deadline: 1st January 104
ROPES is an annual literary journal published by the students of the MA in Literature and Publishing at NUIG.
The theme is "Home."
Home means different things to different people. What does home mean for you?
They are accepting submissions of writing (up to 2000 words) including, but not limited to, prose, poetry, and drama.
All proceeds of the literary journal will go to COPE, Galway, Ireland. More on their Facebook page.
(e) The Caterpillar
This quarterly magazine is the younger sibling of The Moth. It's for kids between the ages of 7-11 (ish). It includes some great writing by the likes of Michael Morpurgo (of War Horse fame), poet Julie O'Callaghan, Frank Cottrell Boyce (author of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang sequels) and Janet Wong (she's read her poems at the White House and on the Oprah Winfrey Show).
They are delighted to receive submissions from (grown-up) writers and artists in Ireland and abroad.
If you are submitting poetry, then please send no more than six poems. Short stories should preferably be no longer than 1,000 words. Full submission details at www.thecaterpillarmagazine.com
(f) The Scum Gentry
The Scum Gentry is an Irish arts, news and media website.
While submissions in all styles and genres are generally welcomed and accepted, those that fit with the darkly-comic humour of the website itself are most likely to be received favourably.
Submissions should be directed to Editor@thescumgentry.com
For full details visit their website.
Poetry Chapbook Competition
We are reviving our Fool for Poetry Chapbook Competition. Two winners will each have their manuscript published, receive €500 in cash and fifty complimentary copies of their chapbook.
The competition is open to new, emerging and established poets from any country BUT at least one of the winners will be a debutante (with no chapbook or book published previously). 25-50 other entrants will be publicly listed as "highly commended". Manuscripts must be sixteen to twenty pages in length, in the English language and the sole work of the entrant with no pastiches, translations or 'versions'. The poems can be in verse or prose. Each chapbook is guaranteed a review in Southword Online.
The winning chapbooks will be published in August 2014 with striking cover designs, ISBNs, barcodes and will be offered for sale internationally through our own website, Amazon and selected independent book sellers. The winning poets will be considered for the 2015 Cork Spring Poetry Festival programme and have their chapbooks entered for the UK Forward Prize for best poem and anthology. An entrance fee of €25 will be charged for each manuscript. Entrants may enter more than one manuscript of 16-20 pages. For full details consult www.munsterlit.ie in January. The winners will be selected by a panel chosen by the management board of Southword Editions. Deadline: March 31st 2014.
The winning chapbooks will be published in August 2014 with striking cover designs, ISBNs, barcodes and will be offered for sale internationally through our own website, Amazon and selected independent book sellers. The winning poets will be considered for the 2015 Cork Spring Poetry Festival programme and have their chapbooks entered for the UK Forward Prize for best poem and anthology. An entrance fee of €25 will be charged for each manuscript. Entrants may enter more than one manuscript of 16-20 pages. For full details consult www.munsterlit.ie in January. The winners will be selected by a panel chosen by the management board of Southword Editions. Deadline: March 31st 2014.
Thursday, 12 December 2013
totally4for women competition
otally4women competition
Deadline: 19th December 2013
Free to Enter
They are looking for stories (200 words max) entitled 'A Christmas Story' which should begin with the words: "If there had been room at the Inn..."
Your 200 word count can be additional to these words and your story may take the form of poetry or prose.
Winning entry: first choice of one of their three special prizes.
a night away for two at Dewsall Court in Herefordshire
a day of pampering at a Champneys resort
a special treatment at the Inter X clinic in Cheltenham
First runner-up: second choice of one of the 3 special prizes
Second runner-up: the remaining prize
The winning entries will also published on their website.
You must be a member of totally4women at the time of entry. (if you are not then you can sign up over on the website and it's free)
More over on their website.
International Poetry Competition
Gregory O'Donoghue International Poetry Competition
This one closes soon (on the 15th of December).
The winner will receive a cash prize of €1,000, a one-week residency at Tyrone Guthrie centre, publication in Southword and a trip to Cork:)
2nd prize: Cash price of €500 & publication in Southword
3rd prize: €250 and publication in Southword
10 runners-up will also be published in the magazine and will receive a €30 publication fee.
Entry Fees: €5.
Any theme, poems up to 40 lines are accepted. Must be in English.
Judge: Patrick Cotter
More over on the Munster Literature website.
Novel of the Year Competition
Kerry Group Irish Novel of the year 2014 details announced:The coveted €15,000 Kerry Group Award is the largest monetary prize for fiction available solely for Irish authors. Established in 1995 and sponsored by Kerry Group, the prize is awarded annually to the best Irish Novel of the year. This year’s Adjudicators are; literary critic with the Irish Times, Eileen Battersby and Award Winning Novelist David Park. Speaking about the Award, David Park stated “The Kerry Group Irish Novel Award continues to be one of our most prestigious prizes with a formidable roll of honour of previous winners, and it is both a pleasure and a responsibility to be involved with the judging. In a time of financial austerity Ireland continues to have a wealth of literary talent and I'm sure it will prove a significant challenge to arrive finally at a single winner.” Eileen Battersby said, “I am delighted to again be judging this prize, having previously adjudicated in 2002 and 2003. This is a very important award; not only because it supports Irish fiction, but because it is itself supported and sustained by Irish fiction."
Frank Hayes, Director of Corporate Affairs at Kerry Group said, "Kerry Group is delighted to sponsor the 2014 Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year. Now, in its 19th year, the award attracts books of exceptional merit from both accomplished and aspiring Irish writers. We are very proud to be associated with this literary prize and we look forward to the 2014 festival which really showcases the wealth of talent that exists amongst Irish writers"
Entries are now being accepted from authors who must be from the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or hold an Irish Passport and have published a novel between the 1st February 2013 and 1st February 2014. Full details of the criteria are available on www.writersweek.ie
The 2013 winning novel was This is the Way by Gavin Corbett who said “Winning the Kerry Group Novel Award has been the best thing that has ever happened to me as a writer. Next year the judges will select a new winner, but it is an honour conferred on you for life and something that I will proudly brandish for the rest of my days." Previous winners included Christine Dwyer Hickey, Neil Jordan (twice), John Banville (twice), Joseph O’Neill, Roddy Doyle, Sebastian Barry and John McGahern.
Frank Hayes, Director of Corporate Affairs at Kerry Group said, "Kerry Group is delighted to sponsor the 2014 Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year. Now, in its 19th year, the award attracts books of exceptional merit from both accomplished and aspiring Irish writers. We are very proud to be associated with this literary prize and we look forward to the 2014 festival which really showcases the wealth of talent that exists amongst Irish writers"
Entries are now being accepted from authors who must be from the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or hold an Irish Passport and have published a novel between the 1st February 2013 and 1st February 2014. Full details of the criteria are available on www.writersweek.ie
The 2013 winning novel was This is the Way by Gavin Corbett who said “Winning the Kerry Group Novel Award has been the best thing that has ever happened to me as a writer. Next year the judges will select a new winner, but it is an honour conferred on you for life and something that I will proudly brandish for the rest of my days." Previous winners included Christine Dwyer Hickey, Neil Jordan (twice), John Banville (twice), Joseph O’Neill, Roddy Doyle, Sebastian Barry and John McGahern.
Tuesday, 10 December 2013
Cúirt New Writing Prize 2014
Cúirt New Writing Prize 2014
The Cúirt New Writing Prize, in memory of Lena Maguire, is open for submissions from Thursday 28 November 2013. Entries should be sent via email to: tara@cuirt.ie
Submissions are welcome in poetry and fiction. There is a €500 cash prize for the winner in each category, an opportunity to read at the Cúirt/Over the Edge Showcase event at Cúirt 2014, and the inclusion of the winning piece in a Cúirt publication that will be launched at Cúirt 2014. The judges for this year are Martin Dyar for poetry and Mary Costello for fiction.
In 2014, Cúirt is introducing Young Cúirt for ages 12-17. Entries are welcome in poetry and fiction. The winner will receive €100 cash prize, they will be published in the Cúirt publication, and they will have the opportunity to read at the 2014 Cúirt labs event in April.
The guidelines for both adult and youth submissions are as follows: Poetry entries must consist of 3 poems under 50 lines each, and fiction pieces may be up to 2000 words. Entries in both English and Irish are welcome.
A €10 entry fee applies which can be paid via paypal or sent using a postal order or bank draft to:
Cúirt International Festival of Literature, Galway Arts Centre, 47 Dominick Street, Galway.
When emailing submissions, please specify how you have paid the fee. In the case of paypal payments, please include a copy of your paypal receipt in the email.
The closing date for submissions is 30th January 2014 at 5pm, winners will be announced on Monday 24 February.
**Writers submitting work should not have had a collection published in the category in which they enter. This does not include the publication of single poems or chapbooks.
Friday, 6 December 2013
Vintage Script is looking for short stories
Vintage Script is looking for short stories and articles that are original and well-written, and must be on an historical theme. Short stories and longer articles should be no longer than 2,000 words. Also interested in shorter articles of 500-1,000 words. Contributions should not have been published elsewhere. Look at the Submissions page on the website if you have a historical story or article to share. Website: http://www.vintagescript.co.uk/
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
A quote of note
Short Story Competition Glimmer Train
Upcoming deadline:
It's not too late to give a meaningful gift
to the readers and writers in your life.
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- Fiction Open. 1st place wins $2,500, and publication. Deadline: January 2.
- NOTE: We are reorganizing our submission calendar for 2014. This will be the last Fiction Open until June. (Details to follow in the January bulletin.)
- The 1st-place winner will be published in Issue 93 and will receive 20 copies of that issue. Second- and 3rd-places win, respectively, $1,000 and $600 (or, if published, $700).
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
Monthly Writers' Forum Short Story Competition
Monthly Writers' Forum Short Story Competition Any genre, but stories must be original and previously unpublished. Aim for a word count between 1,500 to 3,000. Stories may embrace crime, mystery, romance, sport, humour, fantasy, erotica or science-fiction. The competitions are held monthly and there is also £1,000 for the best short story of the year. Monthly prizes of £250 for the best story published and two prizes of £150 for runners up. All stories not selected for publication are returned to authors with a grid assessment. Text should be type-written or word-processed, printed in double spacing. Entries should be accompanied with a short biography and colour photograph of the writer. Please submit a saved copy of the ms on disk as a Rich Text File (RTF) or Microsoft Word 5.1a (for Apple Macintosh). Send complete ms and contact details to: Writers International Ltd, PO Box 3229, Bournemouth BH1 1ZS Tel: 01202 589828 Fax: 01202 587758 Website www.writers-forum.com
wise words
What is the best lesson life has taught you?
That we haven't a clue who we are, where we are, where we came from or where we're going.
Shay Healy -In the four minute Interview Sunday Independent
Flash 500 short stories-hints from the judges
Hints from the Judges
No.2 – The Opening Paragraphs or Stanzas
Having attracted the interest of the judge/reader with a really good title (see Hints No.1) it is important to build on this interest in the opening of any submitted work.
Before committing anything to writing, it is essential to establish the structure of the piece: know what you want to say and how you will achieve it.
The opening, whilst it should always be thought provoking, leaving the reader wanting to discover more, should not reveal too much. As with the title, you don’t want the opening to be so explicit that the reader knows exactly what is coming. Also, avoid introducing too many ideas and/or characters, which can give a judge mental indigestion!
Except in the case of certain types of humour verse, it is also better to steer clear of over the top ideas or situations.
The opening needs to be well thought through and subtle in its appeal. Every word must count; this is particularly important for poetry and flash fiction where line/word counts are tight.
Above all, do not try to cram too much in.
Monday, 2 December 2013
The Moth Short Story Competition
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THE BALLYMALOE INTERNATIONAL POETRY PRIZE 2013 IS NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES!
There are three cash prizes for a single unpublished poem, and this year they have increased to €10,000, €2,000 and €1,000, making it one of the most lucrative prizes in the poetry world.
The Prize is open to everyone, as long as the work is original and previously unpublished. The entry fee is €9 per poem, and you can enter as many poems as you like.
ENTER ONLINE HERE Or simply send your poem(s) along with a cheque or postal order made payable to The Moth Magazine Ltd. and an entry form (downloadable here) or a cover letter with your name and contact details and the title of poem(s) attached to:
The Moth
81 Church Street
Cavan
Co. Cavan
Ireland
This year’s competition will be judged by the poet Marie Howe, who teaches creative writing at New York University and Sarah Lawrence College, Columbia, and is the Poet Laureate of New York State.
Please make sure you read the rules before entering the competition. CLOSING DATE 31 DECEMBER 2013 |
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THE BALLYMALOE INTERNATIONAL POETRY PRIZE 2013 IS NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES!
There are three cash prizes for a single unpublished poem, and this year they have increased to €10,000, €2,000 and €1,000, making it one of the most lucrative prizes in the poetry world.
The Prize is open to everyone, as long as the work is original and previously unpublished. The entry fee is €9 per poem, and you can enter as many poems as you like.
ENTER ONLINE HERE Or simply send your poem(s) along with a cheque or postal order made payable to The Moth Magazine Ltd. and an entry form (downloadable here) or a cover letter with your name and contact details and the title of poem(s) attached to:
The Moth
81 Church Street
Cavan
Co. Cavan
Ireland
This year’s competition will be judged by the poet Marie Howe, who teaches creative writing at New York University and Sarah Lawrence College, Columbia, and is the Poet Laureate of New York State.
Please make sure you read the rules before entering the competition. CLOSING DATE 31 DECEMBER 2013 |
|
THE BALLYMALOE INTERNATIONAL POETRY PRIZE 2013 IS NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES!
There are three cash prizes for a single unpublished poem, and this year they have increased to €10,000, €2,000 and €1,000, making it one of the most lucrative prizes in the poetry world.
The Prize is open to everyone, as long as the work is original and previously unpublished. The entry fee is €9 per poem, and you can enter as many poems as you like.
ENTER ONLINE HERE Or simply send your poem(s) along with a cheque or postal order made payable to The Moth Magazine Ltd. and an entry form (downloadable here) or a cover letter with your name and contact details and the title of poem(s) attached to:
The Moth
81 Church Street
Cavan
Co. Cavan
Ireland
This year’s competition will be judged by the poet Marie Howe, who teaches creative writing at New York University and Sarah Lawrence College, Columbia, and is the Poet Laureate of New York State.
Please make sure you read the rules before entering the competition. CLOSING DATE 31 DECEMBER 2013 |
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The Prize is open to everyone, as long as the work is original and previously unpublished. There is a 6,000 word limit. The entry fee is €9 per story and you can enter as many stories as you like.
You can enter online or simply send your story or stories along with a cheque or postal order made payable to The Moth Magazine Ltd. and an entry form (downloadable here) or a cover letter with your name and contact details and the title of story attached to: The Moth, 81 Church Street, Cavan, Co. Cavan, Ireland. This year’s competition will be judged by Mike McCormack, a recipient of the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature whose debut short story collection was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. His novel Notes from a Coma was shortlisted for the Irish Book of the Year Award and was described in the Irish Times as ‘the greatest Irish novel of the decade just ended’. CLOSING DATE 30 JUNE 2014 |
The Prize is open to everyone, as long as the work is original and previously unpublished. There is a 6,000 word limit. The entry fee is €9 per story and you can enter as many stories as you like.
You can enter online or simply send your story or stories along with a cheque or postal order made payable to The Moth Magazine Ltd. and an entry form (downloadable here) or a cover letter with your name and contact details and the title of story attached to: The Moth, 81 Church Street, Cavan, Co. Cavan, Ireland.
This year’s competition will be judged by Mike McCormack, a recipient of the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature whose debut short story collection was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. His novel Notes from a Coma was shortlisted for the Irish Book of the Year Award and was described in the Irish Times as ‘the greatest Irish novel of the decade just ended’.
You can enter online or simply send your story or stories along with a cheque or postal order made payable to The Moth Magazine Ltd. and an entry form (downloadable here) or a cover letter with your name and contact details and the title of story attached to: The Moth, 81 Church Street, Cavan, Co. Cavan, Ireland.
This year’s competition will be judged by Mike McCormack, a recipient of the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature whose debut short story collection was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. His novel Notes from a Coma was shortlisted for the Irish Book of the Year Award and was described in the Irish Times as ‘the greatest Irish novel of the decade just ended’.
CLOSING DATE 30 JUNE 2014
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