Feel like a sojourn in the south-west? I’m leading a historical fiction workshop next week at the West Cork Literary Festival, July 7 – 11, in Bantry. The Bantry festival is a great event, intimate, serious in intent but great fun, and, of course, there’s the wonderful location. I’m hoping to use the work of writers appearing at Bantry – including Audrey Magee and Eibhear Walshe – during my workshop so participants can hear them live and on the spot.
Here’s the spec. . .
Want to be the new Hilary Mantel or Sarah Waters? Dream of delving into the recent or distant past like Colum McCann or Colm Toibin? Do you have an idea that might become a historical novel, or have you already started? Then this workshop is for you. Aimed at intermediate-level writers, we will explore different approaches to historical fiction; how to imagine yourself into another time; research – when and how to do it; the ethics of writing about real people; the melding of fact and fiction.
This workshop will be a creative hot-house experience and participants should be prepared to share their ideas, develop their own work during the workshop and, most importantly, to write – lots!
mary morrissy 
Very much enjoyed your Bantry reading and the Q&A afterwards, with John MacKenna, Mary. Didn’t get to say hello but you were great, as always.
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Thought I spied you in the audience, Nuala; thanks for coming. Hoped I’d run into you (on the writers’ bus?) but I had to race off yesterday for Sunday Miscellany gig this morning in Dublin. I see The Closet getting great reviews!
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