Children's Books Symposium takes place in June

Discover Irish Children’s Books launches first ever Symposium

Curious about writing or illustrating for children? Discover Irish Children’s Books is launching their first ever symposium in Cregan Library, DCU on Saturday 21 June, when you can come along to listen to industry professionals, take part in interactive sessions, and mingle over lunch.

Award-winning children’s authors and illustrators Shane Hegarty, Eilish Fisher, Dave Rudden, Pádraig Kenny, Ashwin Chacko and Jen Wallace are among the speakers at the symposium.

Events on the day include a panel dedicated to exploring where Irish children’s publishing stands today and how the industry might plan for the future, with Gráinne Clear, Editorial Director at Walker Books, Venetia Gosling, Publisher, Children’s Books at Gill Books, Kunak McGann, Rights Director at The O’Brien Press, Matthew Parkinson, Publisher at Little Island, and Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin, Publisher, Futa Fata.

Those attending are invited to meet and chat to a host of Irish writers, illustrators, editors and publishers over lunch

How to make a living as a children’s author or illustrator is the subject of another panel, along with a break-out session for teachers exploring the use of children’s books in the classroom, chaired and led by Becky Long from Children’s Books Ireland and Dave Rudden YCPE Writer in Residence, DCU. There will be practical, interactive sessions on writing novels for children chaired by Alan Nolan, and on creating picture books, chaired by Margaret Anne Suggs from Illustrators Ireland.

Those attending are invited to meet and chat to a host of Irish writers, illustrators, editors and publishers over lunch. There will also be publishing stands, a Children’s Books Ireland and The Gutter Bookshop will be on site.