Writers
Northern Lights: Bernie McGill in conversation with Jessica Bates, with music by Hannah McPhillimy
Flowerfield Arts Centre 185 Coleraine Road, PORTSTEWART, Northern Ireland, United KingdomThe Arts Service of Causeway Coast & Glens Council presents Bernie McGill in conversation with Jessica Bates, with music by Hannah McPhillimy This event is now available to view online at Flowerfield Arts Centre's YouTube channel. Join us for an evening of music and words from two acclaimed artists whose work is inspired by the distinctive land and seascapes of the Causeway Coast and Glens. North Coast native Hannah McPhillimy’s brand of thoughtful indie-pop takes its influences from artists across the Atlantic such as Regina Spektor and Feist, but retains an unpredictable beauty that is uniquely home-grown. Described by The Irish Times as ‘a bit of a wonder’, she has supported artists such as Foy Vance, SOAK and The Gloaming. Hannah recently returned from completing her masters in classical composition at the prestigious Michigan University and touring in the U.S. ‘Quietly Captivating.’ Culture NI ‘Music both stunning and moving in equal measure.’ Chordblossom ‘McPhillimy’s vocal talents hit home time and time again.’ The Thin Air ‘A real talent.’ Ralph McLean, BBC Ulster The landscape and people of the North Coast are firmly rooted in the writing of Bernie McGill. Her first novel, The Butterfly Cabinet, was set in Portstewart and inspired by the tragic […]
The Nerve Podcast
Online , United KingdomWriter Bernie McGill talks to Dr Jenny O'Connor at The Nerve podcast about what a typical day in her life is like, what it has meant to her to contribute to anthologies that highlight the work of women writers and how teaching keeps her awake at night. Listen here: https://www.wit.ie/news/humanities/podcast-the-nerve-ep-35-bernie-mcgill. The Nerve is a podcast from the English Department of the Waterford Institute of Technology. Bernie McGill’s novel The Watch House was nominated in 2019 for the Ireland/European Prize for Literature. Her first novel, The Butterfly Cabinet, was named by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes as his novel of the year in 2012. Her short fiction has been nominated for several awards and in 2008, she won the Zoetrope: All-Story Short Fiction Award in the United States. Sleepwalkers, her first collection of short stories, was shortlisted for the prestigious Edge Hill Prize in 2014. Bernie is a former Writing Fellow with the Royal Literary Fund at the Seamus Heaney Centre in Queen’s University, Belfast and she is a mentor and workshop facilitator with the Irish Writers’ Centre.
Sowing the Seeds: Online Creative Writing Workshops with Bernie McGill
Online , United KingdomSaturday 6th March 10.30am - 12 noon Saturday 13th March 10.30am - 12 noon* *Please note that, due to demand, a second round of workshops has been added on Saturday 20th and Saturday 27th March from 10.30am - 12 noon. The booking fee covers two workshops (taking place on two consecutive Saturdays). Book at The Burnavon Arts Centre website. As we look ahead to Spring and to the growing of the light, participants are invited to these two practical online writing workshops, designed to ‘sow some seeds’: to inspire ideas for writing and developing new work. All levels of experience welcome from experienced writers to first-timers, poets and fiction writers alike. The workshop will be fully participative with attendees taking part in writing exercises online, developing work at home and sharing their work with group participants. Come with writing materials and be prepared to write. After booking your place the tutor will email you with the meeting link a few days before the workshop begins. * Please Note: The tutor will require your email address for the purpose of this workshop * You will require a device capable of running Zoom Meeting Software with a functioning screen, microphone, speakers and a stable […]
Bernie McGill, Author, Live and Interactive
On ZoomCushendun Big Arts Weekend in association with the John Hewitt Society hosts a live event via Zoom with author Bernie McGill on Saturday 1st May at 5pm BST. Bernie is the author of two novels and one short story collection. Her novel The Watch House was nominated in 2019 for the Ireland/European Union Prize for Literature and The Butterfly Cabinet was named in 2012 by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes as his novel of the year. Sleepwalkers was shortlisted for the Edge Hill Short Story Prize in 2014. From 2018 - 2020 Bernie was Writing Fellow with the Royal Literary Fund (RLF) at the Seamus Heaney Centre, Queen's University, Belfast. She works as a Lector with the RLF and as a mentor and facilitator with the Irish Writers' Centre. Her new short story collection will be published in 2022. Send questions on Bernie's books, or on writing and publishing in advance to info@cushendunbpt.org or pop them into the Chat via the live event. Book via this link.
Creative Writing Workshop at Seamus Heaney HomePlace
Seamus Heaney HomePlace 45 Main Street, Bellaghy, United KingdomJoin facilitator Bernie McGill for a writing workshop in the Moyola Hall and Sensory Garden at Seamus Heaney HomePlace. This will be a practical workshop on the everyday craft of writing with the aim of sparking ideas for new work. All levels of experience welcome from experienced writers to first-timers, poets and fiction writers alike. Participants will have the option to find a spot outdoors in the Sensory Garden to write, weather permitting, or indoors in the Moyola Hall. Come with writing materials, prepared to write. A hard backed notebook or clipboard may be useful for writing outdoors. Dress for the weather! Limited places available. Book here. Bernie McGill is the author of two novels: The Watch House (nominated for the Ireland European Union Prize for Literature in 2019) and The Butterfly Cabinet (named by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes as his novel of the year in 2012). Her collection of short stories, Sleepwalkers, was shortlisted for the Edge Hill Prize in 2014. Her work has been published in the UK, the US and in translation in Italy and the Netherlands. Her short fiction has appeared in anthologies Her Other Language, Belfast Stories, The Long Gaze Back, The Glass Shore and Female Lines. She was Writing Fellow […]
Cushendun Writing Workshop and Trail
Old Church Centre, Cushendun 1 Church Lane, Cushendun, United KingdomJoin Bernie McGill for a writing workshop with a difference, featuring a walking trail exploring the literary links in Cushendun MAXIMUM PARTICIPANTS: 10 As part of our Causeway Creative Trails exploring culture and arts across the borough, join facilitator Bernie McGill for a writing workshop with a difference, featuring a walking trail that explores the literary links in the historic conservation village of Cushendun. The workshop will offer prompts and writing exercises to initiate ideas and will use as inspiration the work of writers with associations with the village including Louis MacNeice, Moira O’Neill and John Masefield. Participants will have the option to find a spot outdoors to write, weather permitting, or at a social distance indoors in the beautifully refurbished Old Church Centre. The group will come together to share work. Dress for the weather and in comfortable walking shoes and bring writing materials. There are a number of places in the village available for lunch, or bring a packed lunch along. Meet at Cushendun Old Church at 10.30am. Bernie McGill is the author of two novels: The Watch House (nominated for the Ireland European Union Prize for Literature in 2019) and The Butterfly Cabinet (named by Downton Abbey […]
Walled Garden Writing Workshop with Bernie McGill at Aspects Festival, Bangor
North Down Museum Town Hall, The Castle, Bangor, United KingdomJoin facilitator Bernie McGill for a writing workshop - indoors and out - that takes inspiration from the beautiful surroundings of Bangor Castle Walled Garden and Castle Grounds. The workshop will offer prompts and writing exercises to spark ideas and develop work. Participants will have the option to find a spot outdoors to write (weather permitting) or at a social distance indoors in North Down Museum. The group will come together to share work. All levels of experience welcome, from seasoned writers to first-timers, poets and fiction writers alike. Suitable for ages 16+ Dress for the weather and in comfortable walking shoes and bring a hardback notebook for writing outdoors. Full workshop details and booking at Aspects Festival. Bernie McGill is the author of two novels: The Watch House (nominated for the Ireland European Union Prize for Literature in 2019) and The Butterfly Cabinet (named by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes as his novel of the year in 2012). Her collection of short stories, Sleepwalkers, was shortlisted for the Edge Hill Prize in 2014. Her new short story collection This Train is For will be published by No Alibis Press in 2022. Eílís Ní Dhuibhne and Evelyn Conlon in conversation […]
Prophets, Makers and Risk Takers: A Showcase of Writing from Northern Ireland
Accidental Theatre 12-13 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast, United Kingdom'Prophets, Makers and Risk Takers: A Showcase of Writing from Northern Ireland' is a 2-day festival that brings leading writers in Northern Ireland together, in person and online, to share their ideas and skills with emerging writers, and to promote the best of Northern Irish writing across the world. Curated by writer Jan Carson, this 2-day hybrid event will take place in-person at Accidental Theatre in Belfast and online. This will be the 3rd edition of Prophets, Makers and Risk Takers and we continue in our desire to be useful to writers and the literature sector in Northern Ireland through skills development, connection and promotion. We hope that the event will show the breadth of talent that Northern Ireland has to offer and will give representatives from UK and international festivals, and global networks, an opportunity to sit at the table and take note. The Keynote Address will be delivered by Dr Caroline Magennis, and participants will include writers Myra Zepf, Maria McManus, Bernie McGill, Reggie Chamberlain King, Olivia Fitzsimons, Sue Divin, Sam Thompson, Sheena Wilkinson, Finn Kennedy, Cat Brogan, Emily DeDakis, Aislinn Clarke, James Patterson and Kerri ní Dochartaigh with representatives from the Irish Writers Centre, Extra Teeth, Storyline […]
Writing a Novel: 3 Day Workshop with Bernie McGill at Listowel Writers’ Week
Listowel Writers' Week The Square, Listowel, IrelandIn these practical workshops participants will be invited to take part in writing exercises that focus on: structuring a novel, writing openings with impact, developing setting, creating credible characters, and refining point of view. We will also look at opportunities for further developing and submitting work. Suitable for writers who are beginning or developing a novel. Participants should bring a 250-word synopsis. Works in progress are welcomed. 3 Day Workshop - Thurs/Fri/Sat, 2nd-4th June 2022, from 9am to 12:30pm Day 1. We will hear and give feedback on a selection of the novel synopses that participants have brought and look particularly at: Structuring a Novel and Writing Openings with Impact. Day 2. We will hear and give feedback on synopses and look particularly at: Developing Setting and Creating Credible Characters. Day 3. We will hear and give feedback on synopses and look particularly at: Refining Point of View and Opportunities for further developing and for submitting work. We will finish with information and discussion and a Q&A on aspects of writing. Bernie McGill is the author of two novels: The Watch House (nominated for the Ireland European Union Prize for Literature in 2019), and The Butterfly Cabinet (named by Downton […]
Launch of This Train is For by Bernie McGill
No Alibis Bookshop 83 Botanic Avenue, BELFAST, United KingdomNo Alibis Press is delighted to invite you to a live event in No Alibis bookshop to celebrate the launch of Bernie McGill's wonderful new collection of short stories, This Train Is For. This launch happily coincides with the twenty-fifth anniversary of No Alibis Bookstore. About Bernie McGill: Bernie McGill is the author of two novels, The Watch House, (2017, Tinder Press), nominated for the Ireland/European Prize for Literature, and The Butterfly Cabinet, (2010, Headline Review), and one short story collection Sleepwalkers, (2013, Whittrick Press), shortlisted for the Edge Hill Short Story Prize. Her short fiction has been nominated for numerous awards and in 2008 she won the Zoetrope: All-Story Short Fiction Award in the USA. Her work has been anthologised in award-winning collections including The Long Gaze Back, The Glass Shore, Her Other Language, The Danger & the Glory, Belfast Stories, and Female Lines. "Beneath the exquisite surface - at once lyrical and plain-spoken - of each of these stories is carried a great freight of feeling that McGill handles with humanity and restraint. An excellent collection from one of the finest short story writers working in Ireland today." Louise Kennedy, author of Trespasses. This is a free event but […]