The Disaster School will offer workshops led by writers of fiction and poetry, while also making space for sessions focused on how to respond to conflict and confusion in daily life. The term “disaster,” which means “bad star,” emphasises the themes of disorientation and loss that we will address, along with our capacity to repair, reform, and restore.

Our program will feature workshops, talks, and explorations centred on this urgent theme, which permeates both our news cycles and inner lives. Together, we will create new pathways for our thinking, writing, and well-being.

Waterford Libraries is delighted to bring a series of free Writing Workshops to the people of Waterford for the third year. The programme runs from August to mid-November and gives participants an opportunity to attend courses in both Irish and English with experienced, well-established writers in their fields. The workshops are either four week or one day and take place online or in Waterford Library branches during the evenings or on Saturdays. Courses are free of charge and open to people over 18 years resident in the City or County of Waterford.

Appearing in the Irish Independent on the last Saturday of each month, New Irish Writing is an opportunity open to writers who are Irish or resident of Ireland.

Stories submitted should not exceed 2,000 words. Up to four poems may be submitted. There is no entry fee. Writers whose work is selected will receive €120 for fiction and €60 for poetry. You can email your entry, preferably as a Word document, to newirishwriting@independent.ie.

Please make sure to include your name, address and contact number, as well as a brief biographical paragraph. Only writers who have yet to publish their first book can be considered.