Over the moon to be part of @winterpapers.bsky.social. It’s a joy to be sharing my essay ‘Mid-Life Music Lessons’ as part of this beauty alongside so many whose work I admire. The launch is @dublinbookfest.bsky.social next Sat, Nov 8. Here’s to music, winter reading & dreaming the future.

Winter Papers 11 is here [sound up!]. Design by @johnfoley.bitedesign.com Supported by @artscouncilireland.bsky.social Launching @dublinbookfest.bsky.social Saturday 8th Nov

WP 11 is almost ready - come say hello to the new volume @dublinbookfest.bsky.social All welcome, free entry, book tickets here: dublinbookfestival.com/event/winter...

Winter Papers 11 is nearly here - we'll be unwrapping at the end of the month! 📚💚📚💚

So looking forward to this…

Just added some more pieces from WP to the digital archive. Work by John Butler, Doireann Ní Ghríofa, @cristinleach.bsky.social Anna Leask and William Wall winterpapers.com/selected-work

Reminder: Kennys Bookshop delivers for free in Ireland. Easons have free delivery over 10 euros (and also sell toys and games and stationary). Lots of lovely booksellers in the actual stores too, like Books Upstairs, Gutter Bookshop, Hodges Figgis.

The 2025 #WomensPrize for Fiction longlist. Which ones are you excited to read first?

Are you working on creative non-fiction that explores the climate crisis? Send us your creative non-fiction pitches for our upcoming Climate Issue. Our Winter 2025-26 issue will have a special focus on the climate crisis. Deadline: March 31st, 2025 stingingfly.org/news/submiss...

Delighted & grateful that Irish literary journal Banshee have published my story ‘Chaconne’ on their website. It appeared initially in print, issue 17. The story is about many things, but especially about classical music and dogs. Read it here bansheepress.org/read/chaconn...

Tonight from 7pm on RTÉ Arena | @rteradio1.bsky.social Live music, performance extracts, interviews with the judges & 2024 shortlisted writers, & the announcement of the top prizes. #RTÉShortStory Competition Awards Night Special, recorded at the Pavilion Theatre. In honour of Francis MacManus

Did you know that although the word limit for the Bristol Short Story Prize is 4,000 words that stories of under 1000 often make it onto our longlists and shortlists? Get in! Full details: bssp.blogs.bristol.ac.uk

Sally Rooney: When are we going to have the courage to stop the climate crisis? www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...

Here’s the podcast of ‘Dessie and Hopper’… So happy with the recording of my story by Donegal-born actor Ruth McGill. Thank you #rteculture #rteshortstory #francismacmanus www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

Just spoke to Sean Rocks on RTÉ Arena about my story ‘Dessie and Hopper’. Thank you for having me! Listen back here www.rte.ie/radio/radio1... #rteshortstory #francismacmanus The whole story will be broadcast on RTÉ Late Date at 11:20pm TONIGHT. Podcast to follow.

So happy that my short story ‘Dessie and Hopper’ is shortlisted for the RTÉ Short Story Award. If you like, read it here: www.rte.ie/culture/2024... #rteshortstoryaward #francismacmanus