2017 FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
What you said…
‘International standard with a local touch’, ‘lovely friendly staff’ , ‘your volunteers were amazing, helpful and welcoming’, ‘really great job, lovely atmosphere created’
SATURDAY 30th SEPTEMBER 2017
Yoga with Mary Duane
‘Couch to 100k’ – Kickstart your writing and go the distance.
In the space of two years, Cat Hogan has written and published two best sellers while raising a pair of little boys and running her own content marketing business. People often say- ‘I think I have a book in me’. If anyone can motivate you to write that book, screenplay, play, or collection of short stories- it’s her.
Agatha Christie: A Life of Crime
How did Agatha Christie, an otherwise unremarkable woman, with no formal education, and no family background in writing produce the world’s best-selling and most-translated books, as well as the longest-running play in theatre history, The Mousetrap?
“… And catch the heart off guard and blow it open” is a writing workshop where you are supported to write and develop an appreciation of your own potential for creativity, based on the Amherst Writers & Artists philosophy – ‘a trust in the inherent talent in people and trust in the power of writing as a process’. The emphasis will be on generating first drafts and identifying what is strong, vivid and memorable in your writing.
Note: FULLY BOOKED
How to Market Your Book Using Social Media: Lorna Sixsmith uses blogging, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram to promote her three books and believes that social media is very closely linked to traditional marketing as her use of social media has led to her being featured in various newspapers and magazines in Ireland and the UK. She will show you how to build a following, encourage buyers, engage with readers, and create compelling content across all of the social media platforms.
From the Dunbrody to the Somme: tales and sails of the William Graves & Sons company of New Ross
Since the founding of the company in 1811, the story of the William Graves and Sons company is a tale of entrepreneurship, innovation and success on a global arena. This southeast business dynasty was synonymous with a diverse range of commercial activities including merchant shipping, ship building, timber mills, felt roofing and hay barn construction. This workshop will include a genealogy of the key protagonists and focus on the scope and contents of the papers and artefacts contained in what has been described by an expert in the National Archive as the most significant shipping archive in existence in Ireland.
The ship synonymous with the story of Graves is the Dunbrody, a three masted Barque, built in 1845 in Quebec, Canada. It was designed initially to carry cargoes of timber from Canada, fertilizer from South America, and cotton from Southern United states.
Personal correspondence, shipping manifests, original passenger receipts and a dedicated company roll of honour are some of the artefacts which will be accessible on the day. Utilising a case study approach to the archive, a selection of primary artefacts will be deciphered and examined within their broader context supported by genealogical resources Ancestry, Findmypast and the British Newspaper Archive. Following the workshop, attendees will have gained a greater insight into the many hidden gems of the archive and an appreciation of its value as not just a historical resource but as a stimulus for creative writing.
Tips and Advice for Book Clubs and Readers: A discussion forum for readers and book club members with Hazel Percival, Senior Executive Librarian with Wexford County Council Public Library Service. Talk about your favourite books and find some new authors; explore genres, reading habits and how to critically analyse.
Choose From:
Writing For Radio
Foxhole Prayers – How Writing saves Your Life
This workshop will analyse the conventional, three act screen play. It will offer techniques and methods to help writers identify and stay focused on the deeper thematic and emotional dimensions that are necessary to create a natural and organic story structure. The workshop will also offer tips on how to write good comedy and will study some of the techniques used to create great romantic comedies such as WHEN HARRY MET SALLY and AS GOOD AS IT GETS.
We are delighted our special guest Dervla Murphy will participate in our festival this year. The doyenne of travel writers began her famous journeys fifty years ago when she cycled from Dunkirk in France through the Middle East to Delphi in India. She has written over 20 books about her various adventures and her travels in Cuba, Palestine, Siberia and many others places. Dervla will be joined by Belfast-based travel writer Geoff Hill who has circumnavigated the globe on his trusty motorcycle. He has written many books about his adventures such as “Way to go” and “Around Australia on a Triumph”. Join these two authors for what promises to be a fascinating interview.
Venue: COAST KILMORE QUAY HOTEL
€5 Cover Charge
Situated in Wexford, twins Brandon and Ashley combine to create The Ocelots. They have crafted their songwriting and musical experience together to produce a forceful blend of rich harmonies and bare, raw acoustic folk. The Ocelots started originally through busking around Ireland, before playing their music throughout many stages all across Europe.
SUNDAY 1st OCTOBER 2017
Meditation Walk with Marie Christine
This journalism workshop will explain the definition of news, how to source it and how to write and compile reports. Other aspects will include styles of writing – hard news and features – and how to get articles published and avoid costly errors. ..defamation.
Writing For Children
Note: FULLY BOOKED
Developing Characters in Fiction
Note: FULLY BOOKED
interviewed by Peter Murphy
Author of three number one bestselling novels and a short story collection Donal has won three Irish Book Awards, the EU Prize for Literature and the Guardian First Book Award. His debut novel, The Spinning Heart, was shortlisted for the Impac Dublin Literary Award and longlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2013 and was recently voted Irish Book of the Decade.
Readings and Q&A
Falling Off Motorcycles, A Beginner’s Guide
The Spark That Makes A Poem : As children we’re made to learn by heart poems that are chosen for us by people for whom they too were once chosen – and back in time until the poet wasn’t famous yet. Trouble is, these poems we were forced to learn contain images we often don’t come to appreciate until we’re nearly dead!
So let’s read some poems out aloud, hear them, see them and tease out the spark that makes them live.
Finding Your Voice Through Blogging: In this workshop, Barbara will share her experience of harnessing the power of social media along with finding an audience for her work online before being able to pitch for paid work in the media. Barbara will outline the value of blogging for developing your writing skills and discipline of posting regularly.
Discussing the importance of finding your own voice – something which eluded Barbara for some time, inspiration and entertainment is guaranteed.
Music Journalism Workshop :Having spent three decades as a music journalist and contributing editor with Hot Press magazine, author Jackie Hayden talks about the fun and challenges of writing about music, as well as meeting and interviewing top Irish and international artists.
Reading a new short story inspired by the painting THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT by Jan de Beer. The story is called TAKING FLIGHT.
Festival Wrap Up
