News

Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill Speaks at Dublin Chinese New Year Event

On Wednesday, contemporary poet Nuala Ní Dhomnaill attended an event organised by Literature Ireland for this year’s Dublin Chinese New Year festival. The free event was held to celebrate and discuss the work of Dr. Fangzhe Qiu, who released a book containing a selection of Ní Dhomnaill’s poetry translated directly from Irish to Chinese last year. The event was held so that both could discuss their work and “the joys and challenges of translating poetry between such different languages,” as well as give readings in both Chinese and Irish. Dr. Qiu’s book, Am Lonnaithe na Leamhan: Rogha Dánta Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill ??????? was published by Chinese publisher Northern Literature and Art Press, who also published Irish Quartet: Poems by Paul Muldoon, Michael Longley, Harry Clifton, Paula Meehan, a collection of selected poems translated by Dr. Huiyi Bao and Dr. Lijing Peng.

Hillary Clinton to Release Two New Books

Hillary Clinton has been keeping herself busy by writing it seems, as news emerged this week that she will release two books this year. It is believed that both will be released by Simon and Schuster, who released her five previous books, such as her 2000 coffee table book An Invitation to the White House: At Home with History as well as her 1996 book It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us. Okay, I lied a little, it’s not really two new books. One will be a collection of essays inspired by her favorite quotes, with Clinton saying “these are the words I live by […] These quotes have helped me celebrate the good times, laugh at the absurd times, persevere during the hard times and deepen my appreciation of all life has to offer. I hope by sharing these words and my thoughts about them, the essays will be meaningful for readers.” The quotes will be used to “tell stories from her life, up to and including her experiences in the 2016 presidential campaign.” The second book will be an “all-new” children’s picture book version of It Takes a Village, with illustrations by the Two-Time Caldecott Honor Winner Marla Frazee.

Competitions

Adventures in Fiction are holding a First Novel competition, closing next week on the 14th. The competition requires you to submit a one-page synopsis of your novel, as well as the first page and a £16 entry fee. Before you complain that the fee is too steep, keep in mind that the prize is a Stage One Mentoring package for a novel of up to 550 pages/170,000 words including a full manuscript appraisal, a development strategy and two consultations, as well as a dedicated page on the Adventures in Fiction website including a profile of you, your novel and your winning synopsis. This could be a great opportunity for those of you who are trying to work through their first attempt at a novel, but need an extra push. Check the competition’s page for entry formatting specifications and how to enter.

Writing collective Nothing in the Rulebook want to support a demonstration in support of the UK’s NHS with their Haikus for the NHS poetry project. They are ” looking to use the power of poetry as protest – specifically, the power of haikus as protest – in support of the NHS.” The winning Haikus will be printed and distributed during the NHS demonstration in London. The winning poet will also receive a limited printed edition collection of their haikus, along with a £25 book voucher. All other haikus that we receive in support of the NHS will also be published online at Nothing in the Rulebook. This is a good one for people who are interested in poetry as well as those interested in writing as protest.

Call for Submissions

Fortnightly Fiction

Fortnightly Fiction is making a grand return, but now submissions are to be sent to [email protected]. I’m looking for work that is slick and subtle, daring and with impact, and, as before, submissions which aren’t afraid to push at the boundaries of what is expected of short fiction, work that takes chances. If you’re looking to get your fiction out there, now is the time. One story per submission, and please no more than 3000 words.

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