Irish Writers Centre International Debut Novel Competition 2025

The Irish Writer's Centre are open for submissions! Formerly known as 'The Novel Fair', the now revamped International Debut Novel Competition is an opportunity to 'jump the publication slush pile and meet agents and publishers face-to-face or zoom-to-zoom over the course of two days.' Best wishes to Damien Donnelly and team with this year's competition. He kindly asked me to write about my experience as a novel fair winner, it was a pivotal time and is still fresh in my mind. 

I was lucky enough to be a finalist on the very first year of the competition. There were twenty of us. Basically, it was like speed dating for writers, agents and publishers - all first time novelists, we sat at our tables in the Irish Writers Centre in Parnell Square in Dublin, with freshly printed copies of our opening chapters and our hearts thumping. 

Unaware of trends or publishing in general, (this was 2011) I had the notion that a true story from small town Ireland might not be of interest (never doubt your own work, it's like rejecting yourself in advance) and actually had to be persuaded to enter. The Herbalist was based on a true case in my hometown - a trial I came across in an old local newspaper, The Leinster Leader, while working on the archives. I really didn't know what to expect that day - it was the first competition of its kind in Ireland. The energy and kindness of the staff in the centre was just amazing. thinking about the warm welcome (and hot coffee) makes me smile even now.  As each agent and publisher sat down across from me, it became obvious that they were as excited as the writers. All of us wanted this to be a success, all of us wanted to the work to reach readers.  

We had ten minutes with each agent and publisher, after that a bell rang and off they went, sometimes taking a copy of those chapters, sometimes leaving a business card, sometimes leaving you elated, sometimes a little confused. I went from having never set foot in the Writer's Centre, to meeting the most high profile agents and publishers in the country over the course of one afternoon. My nerves! Like most writers, I was a little afraid of the word 'pitch' - so I gave them the gist of my novel (the exciting bits, in the language and mood of the novel) as clearly as possible, and the rest was up to them. That gist wasn't as casual as it sounds, I honed it down to five minutes and practised it over and over. 

The buzz in the room that day was amazing, we could hardly hear ourselves. The thing about meeting an industry professional face to face, is you can see immediately what aspects of the novel, even what words, make their eyes light up.  It sounds obvious, but I realised that day, that to successfully publish your novel, you were also expected to be able to have a conversation about that work, it's themes and subjects. The Herbalist was about women pushing against the rigid boundaries of 1930s Ireland. About Emily, a girl who wanted an awful lot more than the life mapped out for her. For anyone who finds that aspect difficult, it helps to practise talking to other people, or even your phone. Get excited about your book, if you're not - why would anyone else be? My fire came from the fact that "The Herbalist" was one of those stories that was pushed under the carpet, one that would never be told unless I wrote it. 

First draft of The Herbalist
written on my kitchen table 

2013 Irish Edition 

2025 International Edition 

I would highly recommend entering the novel competition, at the very least, it is a deadline - being short or longlisted brings your work to the attention of agents and publishers, regardless of whether it is one of the final winners or not. The publishing world keeps a close eye on the longlist. 

I realise in retrospect, that I was very lucky with my first book - it often takes much longer to see the winning novel published, and signing with an agent and publisher after one meeting does not happen to everyone. In general, I think the industry moves slower now. There are varying timelines, and outcomes, but being listed or winning this competition is a huge thumbs-up, and often a stepping stone to publication.  The Herbalist went onto be Penguin Ireland's best selling book that year and won Debut of the Year at the Irish Book Awards - kind of magical, for a book written long hand early in the morning and late at night while I juggled young children and work. I still have that "first edition", a battered but beloved notebook.  The novel was sparked by a line in an old newspaper, and I still have that too. Along with my sketches of the Herbalist's tattoos. 

I have gone on to complete two other novels - also based on true stories, the second was Her Kind, also based on a real trial, but this time a witch trial: the case of Alice Kyteler in Kilkenny. That was published in the UK and Ireland by the lovely people at Penguin. I published an edition for the US. 
If I had any advise about the novel competition, I would pass on the words said to me all those years ago, 'go on, what have you got to lose?'

Available to read from... 

UK Amazon

Barnes & Noble print

 USA Amazon 

 All other e-book platforms 

About the Competition 

Run by The Irish Writers Centre, its an annual literary competition that awards twelve unpublished novelists with the opportunity to pitch their novels to leading publishers and literary agents. There are two Pitch Days (4 & 5 December 2025) the 12 winners are given the opportunity to skip the queue and pitch their novels face-to-face or zoom-to-zoom to publishers and agents. 

'As a first-time novelist it can be difficult to know what an agent or publisher wants and so, in preparation, winners will participate in The Online Prep Day (28 November) where they will learn how to craft the ideal pitch and what to expect from their encounters during our Pitch Days. 

submit 5,000 words and a synopsis 

To find out more....

https://irishwriterscentre.ie/international-debut-novel-competition/

Launch of Novel Fair 2016

The Irish Writers Centre are launching the 2016 Novel Fair tomorrow Thursday 16th of at 7.00pm in their centre in Dublin. It is a free event, but you need a ticket, which you can book by following this LINK

The launch will allow aspiring novelists to gain the inside track about how the Fair works. At the Fair twelve emerging writers will have the opportunity to bypass the slush pile and pitch directly to a selection of publishers and agents. The submissions period will open tomorrow, and remain open for six months. The Fair itself will be held in February 2016.

Here's what they have to say -
Former Novel Fair winner Niamh Boyce (The Herbalist) will share insights on this unique opportunity to connect with publishers and agents, and Dan Bolger, Commissioning Editor of New Island Books will reveal how the Fair benefits publishers through discovering new authors. A must for anyone who has ever dreamed of getting a novel published.

Author Interview - Marion Reynolds

Marion Reynold's debut novel 'A Soldier’s Wife' was one of the winners of the 2013 Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair Competition, a compelling historical novel, it has been described as 'a dramatic exploration of love, loss, resilience and divided loyalties.'

Welcome to the blog Marion. A Soldier's Wife is set between 1916 and 1922, and was partly inspired by your grandparents and their experiences -can you tell us a little about that? 

When I was growing up, I realised that there were many contradictions in their lives. They were always very pro-British but their children were nationalists and Republican. My grandmother had a relatively privileged upbringing as the daughter of the lodge keeper on Lord Lucan’s estate in Castlebar and lived a glamorous life in India  but returned to a frugal life in in a small house in Dublin.

My grandfather spent fourteen years serving with the Connaught Rangers in  India and fought in Flanders  during WW1 where he was awarded a medal for bravery, yet he never talked about it. On Remembrance Sunday, he wore his medals and a poppy in spite of the protests of is family.

How did you approach your research - did you do it in advance or as you wrote?

I started by researching my grandmothers life through the census and newspaper articles which I found in Castlebar library. Then I researched my grandfather’s military records and discovered things that I hadn’t known. For instance, family lore always said that he escaped without a scratch during WW1. I discovered that he had been wounded twice and posted missing once. I love history so knew most of the background to the Lockout, Easter Week , the War of independence  and the civil war. However, I had to check the accuracy of my knowledge all the time. 

Author Marion Reynolds

 I imagine being from Dublin you were already very familiar with the historical background, but was there anything that surprised you during your research?

One of the things that surprised me was the number of women who were involved in the fight for Independence and the Civil War. They have been airbrushed out of history to a great extent. A good example is Elizabeth Farrell who carried the white flag when Pearse surrendered. A picture taken at the time shows Pears and a British officer and Elizabeth who was almost hidden by the flag. All you can see of her is her feet. In later years when that picture is used her feet are airbrushed out and she is not mentioned. 

A very symbolic example Marion. I've included the photographs below, more on Elizabeth Farrell can be found at The Women's Museum Of Ireland

The elimination of Nurse Farrell

Is place important in your writing?

I didn’t realise how important place was to me in my writing until started this book.  The action in Dublin all takes place in areas that I knew as a child such as Parkgate Street and Infirmary Road. I never lived there as an adult but I recall every lamp post  and doorway with great clarity. I lived near London for eleven years and never wrote a word while I was there. I think it was because I was no longer in a place that inspired me.

And, what are you working on at the moment?

I am working on a sequel to “A Soldier’s Wife” which takes up the story of the family in the 1930’s and includes one member of the family being involved in the Spanish Civil War. It might sound like I am interested in war but I am only interested in the terrible way that war divides families  and communities.

Have you a favourite inspirational writing quote?

I use this quote the beginning of my book. It is from Paul Ricoeur, the French philosopher.

“History begins and ends with the reciting of a tale. Our future is guaranteed by our ability to possess a narrative identity, to recollect the past in historical or fictive form.”

I think that quote explains why I write historical fiction.

It certainly does, thanks Marion and best of luck with your debut. A Soldier's Wife can be purchased HERE

Liz Loves Books

A short post as I'm sweating over a story - today I'm over at Liz Loves Books, Liz is an avid reader, reviewer and blogger, and you can read our interview HERE

And, Emerging Writer reposted an interview with me yesterday, which you can read Here 

And, many congratulations to the winners and highly recommended novelists in this years Irish Writers Centre's Novel Fair, and to anyone who entered and didn't make the cut this time (there were 300 entries) don't be disheartened - you've your novel in shape now, what about submitting it directly to agents and publishers in the UK and internationally and see how it does? And, there's always next year, several winners have entered more than once before they made it through. The list of this years winners is HERE

Novel Fair Launch

Novel Fair Launch & Information Night

7pm- Irish Writers Centre - 25th July 213

All Welcome

Are you thinking of entering The Irish Writers Centre's Novel Fair? If so, you might be interested in coming along to this event...

'The Irish Writers' Centre is launching the 3rd annual Irish Writers' Centre Novel Fair Competition. The evening will include talks by Patricia Deevy from Penguin Ireland and two past participants in the Novel Fair, Niamh Boyce author of The Herbalist and Janet Cameron author of Cinnamon Toast and the End of the World.'

To read about my experience of the novel fair, click here

Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair Longlist!

collage, 08 by Niamh Boyce Congrats to everyone! (there were 300 entries this year) Click the centres web for more details. Author		Novel Title
Geraldine Creed		Swimmers
Áine Tierney		The Bad Eater
Jamie O’Connell		The Creator of Beautiful Things
Sally O’Brien		Operation Liberace
Julianna O’Callaghan		Plain Boring
Mary Valle		The Body of Christine
Jennifer Cullen		The Bad Detective
Sharyn Hayden		Fragments
Rosemarie Noone		Ruby Shoes
A.J. Burns		The Awakening
Ken Foxe		My Civil War
Berta De Burca		The Witch
Doreen Finn		My Buried Life
Eve Sandoval		Eleanor Reddy
Mark Nolan		Évariste
Caroline Healy		Blood: Ties
Tracey Iceton		Green Dawn at St Enda’s
Siobhán Jones		The Fire
Jeremy Doogan		Horse Power – Danny Shortt in a Rusted World
Claire Coughlan		No Comets Seen
Susan Lanigan		White Feathers
Seán Mackel		The Bee Orchid
Laura McKenna		Forfeit
Mairéad Rooney		The Ironman
Andrea Carter		Whitewater Church
Marion Reynolds		A Soldier’s Wife
Madeline B. Moran		The Fall of a Sparrow
Betty Codd		Eleanor Grace
Donal Minihane		Cliona’s Wave
Kevin Doyle		Chasing The Tiger
Sinéad O’Hart		Tider

The Next Big Thing

Jean Harlow

 I was tagged to join in The Next Big Thing, by the fabulous  Nuala Ni Chonchuir over at  Women Rule Writer.

The Next Big Thing consists of a series of questions about the writter/bloggers next project. I had considered writing about a novel I've just begun but its at far too early a stage to be scutinised! So here goes...


 What is the working title of your book?

The first draft was called, melodramatically, The Devil Wore White. (Don't laugh.) The following drafts were worked on as The Herbalist, which stuck.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

It goes back a long way. When I was eighteen I worked for a summer indexing newspaper articles from the late 1930s and early 1940s. One day I came across a report that stuck in my mind - the article in question, which was only three sentences or so long, referred to an Indian Herbalist who had been arrested for offences against girls. I made a note of it and got on with my life.Twenty years later, I began to write short stories. An Indian herbalist walked into one of the first, held a glass bottle up to the light and smiled. 

I wrote many other stories, none to do with him, but he kept appearing. Then other voices began to speak and they were all talking about the same person, the herbalist -some called him a scoundrel, some a saviour. Each was a woman and each whispered a different version of a similar tale. So I gave in and decided to write it all down.

Though inspired by a real person in a real article, I wanted to write fiction so did no research before I began the first draft. I set it in 1939 and just started writing. I wrote in the mornings, giving no thought to plot, structure, beginnings or endings. I wrote fast though I didn't know it at the time, as I had nothing to compare my output with. I never showed the work to anyone. I averaged 1,000 words a day for the first week and then upped it to 2,000 words a day - I stopped when I felt done - at around 80, 000 words.  That was 2009 - I printed it out, put it in a shoe box and labelled it The Devil Wore White. In 6 weeks I was going to go back to work on it. That was the plan. Unfortunately or fortunately, I got caught up in writing another novel called Ghost Estate. That shoebox stayed shut for two years.

Then I heard about The Irish Writers Centres Novel Fair. I decided to enter The Herbalist. Reading it after so long was a strange experience. I had no recollection of some of the scenes or even some of the twists and turns. There was lots of work to be done. But I made the Novel Fair deadline and became a finalist and got to go to the fair. Ger Nichols was the first person I met that morning, and one of the nicest. She became my agent a week later.

What genre does your book fall under?

A damn good read.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

John Malkovich

Perhaps John Malkovich for the Herbalist. And I would love Brenda Fricker for the part of Aggie, a prostitute who lives on the river. As for Emily, Carmel and Sarah it would be great if talented unknowns got their hands on such strong female roles. If we could time travel I'd hire Jean Harlow to play the beautiful Rose.

Brenda Fricker

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

A man appears one day in a market square, sets himself up as a herbalist and changes the lives of four women for ever.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

June, July and August 2009 as far as I can recall.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I avoided anything that seemed similar when I wrote it and since. I couldn't say.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

The characters wouldn't leave me alone.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Good people doing bad things and bad people having a rare old time?

When and how will it be published?

It will be published by Penguin Ireland in  June 2013. It will be launched in my home town of Athy, and all are welcome:)

I'd like to tag Alison Wells and Helena Duggan for next wednesdays, Next Big Thing!

Novel Fair Interview

Today I'm posting an interview with Carrie King from The Irish Writers Centre about their inaugural Novel Fair that took place this March...hope you enjoy it :)

There were a lot of entries to the novel fair Carrie; did the judges notice any recurring themes or topics? Did any one genre predominate?

Amazingly, there were over 570 entries submitted to the Novel Fair which was far beyond anything we had dreamed of. Once again we were struck by the Irish appetite for literature, the innate gift of storytelling that people have, and the sheer talent that was obvious from just flicking through them as they came in.
Something that the judges noticed was that so many of the novels were stories of today - of recession, of financial difficulty, of heartbreak, of having to redefine self in the face of adversity. A new type of bildungsroman if you like - not a coming of age in the traditional child-to-adult sense, but still character-defining.
In terms of genre, it was very much a mixed bag, but there were a good few historical fiction pieces.

 

Was winnowing them down a difficult process? What had the winning novels in common (if anything) that made them stand out? Can you say who the judges were? :)

The judges undertook a Herculean task in reading all of the submissions, but the high quality of the entries was evident quite quickly. They each read all of the winning works to absolutely make sure that they were confident those that were picked were the best of the bunch! And no, I'm afraid I can't reveal their secret identities. They can remain the IWC superheroes.

What were the most common mistakes that people made with their entries? And is there any advice you can give writers who intend to enter next time?

A common mistake made, and an easy one to make, was in writing the dreaded synopsis. I know from answering phone calls and emails that a lot of people were fretting over this. Luckily, our judges didn't make decisions based on the synopsis, but they did remark that often the synopsis didn't do justice to the novel, or the quality of the writing. Many people went way over the 300-word maximum. I know it's difficult to reduce your novel to the basic plot points, but it has to be done, and done well. Be journalistic about it: Who, Where, What and When!

A little aside - many publishers have mentioned to me that they will often disregard a synopsis as it doesn't give a feel for the writing. This however, doesn't mean that you shouldn't make an effort to get it right. The more professional you seem, the higher your chances.

As for advice: Presentation is important. Make it as easy for the judges/publishers as possible. Be careful of spelling, grammar, indentations etc. A good editor can sort this, but you have to get that far first!

There were 20 winners, and also a long list - did any genre predominate in this section?

Not as far as I know (but I haven't read them all!). From what I gathered, the winners and long list were just really good quality, unique stand alone stories.

Did you get any feedback from the novelists after the fair? Were they happy with the day? What did they enjoy most?

Happily, I got loads of feedback from the novelists all throughout the day and afterwards. I'm delighted to say I think everyone was really pleased, even those who were concerned going in that morning. Everyone seemed happy with the day, but exhausted so most people went home to collapse on the couch almost straight away. I don't blame them. I was tired too and I didn't have to talk about how amazing I was all day! ;) I think they really enjoyed meeting the other writers, and meeting the agents/publishers. I think many were surprised by the hugely positive response.

Did you get any feedback from the agents/publishers after the fair?

The publishers & agents were all really happy with the day. Many of them mentioned to me how impressed they were with the quality of the work on show, down to the professionalism of everyone's presentation. The only detractor was that there was so much squeezed into such a few short hours, so I think the next Novel Fair will be less intensive, which will possibly make the competition even more competitive.

The day ran smoothly and there was a very positive atmosphere. What do you think was key to the fairs success in this respect?

Why, thank you! ;) I'm still amazed that there weren't any hitches. I think the key to the fair's success was the enthusiasm of all those who attended. What an amazing feeling for us to facilitate a bunch of shiny, happy people. I couldn't have been more thrilled with the day.

Do you think novel fairs and novel competitions will play a significant role in the future considering it’s more difficult than ever for a first time novelist to get published? 

In a world where traditional publishing seems to be struggling, I think novel fairs and competitions of this sort will certainly help novelists to get their break. At least, that was our intention! We understand how hard it is to get noticed, especially in such a small market as Ireland. That's why the competition was blind, and the writing had to speak for itself. Competitions like this make it easier for the publisher too, as they know that what they'll be reading is to a really high standard.

Thanks Carrie, and good luck to every one who enters this year!