39 writers have been selected from across the island of Ireland for the IWC Mentoring Programme 2024
Congratulations to the 39 writers selected for this year’s National Mentoring Programme with the Irish Writers Centre. The chosen writers will receive literary mentoring over the next eight months from an acclaimed Irish writer of their choice.
Through this programme the Irish Writers Centre supports a wide community of writers to develop their craft and confidence. Along with reading and giving feedback over the course of four sessions, mentors also provide broad professional advice, sharing the benefit of their experience.
Brendan Mac Evilly co-ordinates the programme, which has been running since 2017 and boasts several authors among its alumni. Orla Mackey is one such writer who took part in the programme in 2023. She says that the mentoring relationship is special:
“You can talk about your work with a freedom that you normally wouldn’t dare to indulge… Beyond that, I’ve developed a stronger writing voice and increased confidence as a result of my mentors’ encouragement.”
Also a mentee of 2023, Rere Ukponu said that the experience was incredible. “My mentor Jan Carson gave me such confidence in myself and my work. Jan taught me the beauty in the mundane things like editing, and proper grammar, while also teaching me to trust my instincts and have fun with writing again. She was honest and fair in her criticism but was equally as honest and kind with her praise. I wouldn’t have written half the things I did without her guidance.”
The whole experience has proved fruitful for mentors too, with author Jan Carson saying it was a wonderful way to develop a creative relationship with an emerging writer. “It’s really heartening to see them develop and grow in their practice. It’s also made me a better editor— a skill I’ve been able to apply to my own writing.”
The initiative is co-funded by a wide range of county arts offices, arts centres and other organisations who guarantee that one or more writers from their counties are supported through the programme.
You can find a list of this year’s mentees and supporting bodies here.
