Bernie McGill

Novel Writing with Bernie McGill at the John Hewitt International Summer School
2026-07-27 14:45 - 2026-07-30 16:45 (Europe/Dublin) | Market Place Theatre, Armagh, Market Street, Armagh, Armagh, BT61 7BW, United Kingdom
Monday 27th, Tuesday 28th & Thursday 30th July 2026 | 2.45pm – 4.45pm | £80 for three-day workshop course
Spaces are limited – advance booking is essential.
These practical and participative workshops will focus on: structuring a novel; writing openings with impact; creating credible characters; building convincing settings and selecting point of view. We will also explore opportunities for further development and submission of work. Suitable for writers who are beginning or developing a novel. Works-in-progress are welcomed.
Bernie McGill is the author of two novels, The Butterfly Cabinet and The Watch House and two short story collections. She is the 2023 winner of the Edge Hill Short Story Prize for her collection This Train is For. Her first short story collection Sleepwalkers was republished by No Alibis Press in 2025. Her novels have been published in the UK, the US and in translation in Italy and the Netherlands.

Workshop course is delivered over three days.
Each workshop lasts two hours and all workshops are delivered at the same time.
Participants should attend all three sessions.
Tutors are experienced creative writing facilitators and published authors.
All levels are welcome.

Book via The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre Armagh.
The full programme of events for the John Hewitt International Summer School (taking place 27th – 31st July 2026) will be available soon.
Bursary applications are open until Friday 22nd May at 5pm.
A full sponsored bursary award includes:
– B&B for five nights in a single room, within walking distance of The Market Place Theatre.
– Free tickets to all programmed events each day, unless otherwise specified.
– A free creative writing workshop of your choice, which includes 6 hours of tuition over 3 days.
– An invitation to all festival receptions.
– Morning break refreshments Tuesday – Friday.
For eligibility and application form go to the John Hewitt Society.
