Details of the next Laureate na nÓg mentorship scheme will be announced shortly.
Beidh gach sonra maidir le scéim meantóireachta an Laureate na nÓg nua ar fáil ar ball.
Laureate na nÓg has initiated a number of creative writing mentoring relationships during Áine Ní Ghlinn’s Laureate term (2020-2023). One of the aims of Laureate na nÓg is to encourage the next generation of Irish artists who are creating books specifically for children.
The mentoring scheme is for:
- Adults writing children’s / YA poetry or fiction in the English or Irish language
- Young people writing poetry or fiction in English or Irish language. This opportunity is specifically for: writers aged 15–18 who show promise in creative writing and could benefit from encouragement and feedback on their work-in-progress
The scheme is only open to writers who have not published a children’s book, who are not currently under contract to a publisher, and who can demonstrate a strong commitment to writing e.g. literary journal/anthology/magazine publications, awards or notable mentions, creative writing training or courses undertaken (ideally some combination of the above).
Each mentorship consists of four meetings (either in person or online) with Laureate na nÓg Áine Ní Ghlinn over a period of approximately six months. Áine will read mentees’ work in advance of each meeting, and will give feedback and advice at each meeting. She may also provide information and advice on professional development.
After a call out for applications in September 2020, the following writers were selected to participate in the Laureate na nÓg mentoring scheme:
Marianne Doherty is a 17 year-old writer from Dublin. She is a student at Coláiste Mhuire in Cabra. Marianne writes in English and Irish, and is currently working on short stories.
Sinéad O’Reilly is a 16 year-old writer from Wexford. She is a student at Loreto Secondary School in Wexford Town. During the Laureate mentoring scheme, Sinéad will work on a collection of modern poetry inspired by Irish mythology.
Scríbhneoir Gaeilge í Ruth Nic Giolla Iasachta. Is as Co na Mí di. Tá BA agus MPhil aici ó Choláiste na Tríonóide agus PhD ó Ollscoil Auckland. Tá sí ag obair faoi láthair ar scéalta do pháistí.
Susanna Coghlan is an Irish writer living in Lisbon. She has a background in education and literacy. During the Laureate mentoring scheme, Susanna will redraft her Young Adult novel about a family’s experience traveling through Europe.
The window for receipt of applications to the Laureate na nÓg Mentoring Scheme is currently closed.