Archived Announcements
- 2023 Seán Ó Faoláin Short Story Competition Results
The first prize winner of the 2023 Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition, Tom Harvey, will read his winning story on 14th October 2023 at the Cork International Short Story Festival. The first prize, second prize, and shortlisted stories will be published in issue 46 of Southword in summer 2024. Alexander MacLeod, the 2023 … Read more - Short Fiction Workshop with Alexander MacLeod 17 Oct – 7 Nov
4-week workshop on Tuesdays 17th & 24th October7 – 9 PM (GMT/UTC +1)31st October & 7th November7 – 9 PM (GMT/UTC +0) €150 Registration12 places availableinfo@munsterlit.ie to book Full prospectus here - Culture Night: Munster Literature Centre Readings
This Culture Night (22nd September) join the Munster Literature Centre on Nano Nagle Bridge from 19:00 – 20:15 for a series of readings from four poets: Neo Gilson, Gerry Murphy, Afric McGlinchey and Mary Noonan. - Frank O’Connor Fellow Mentees Selected
Mentorships with this year’s Frank O’Connor International Short Story Fellow, Alexander MacLeod, applied for through open submission, have been awarded to four writers living in Munster. Frank O’Connor International Short Story Fellow: Alexander MacLeod Alexander MacLeod’s work has appeared in The New Yorker, Granta, The Guardian, and The Globe and Mail. His first collection of short stories, Light … Read more - Cork International Short Story Festival programme (11-14 Oct)
The 2023 Cork International Short Story Festival programme is now live on our festival website. Taking place from 11th – 14th October in Cork City Library and the Cork Arts Theatre, tickets are available now. - O’Donoghue Poetry Competition Open
The Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition is now open for entries. Line limit: 40Closing date: 30th NovemberEntry fee: €7 per poem or €30 for a batch of five The competition is open to original, unpublished poems in the English language of 40 lines or fewer. The poem can be on any subject, in any style, by a writer of any nationality, … Read more - Outsiders, Always by Mary O’Donnell, new poetry chapbook from Southword Editions
Outsiders, Always by Mary O’Donnell is available now! Buy for €6 here. - Fool for Poetry Competition – deadline extended one week
The deadline for the Fool for Poetry International Chapbook Competition has been extended, from 31st August until 7th September (midnight). - 4 mentorships available with Alexander MacLeod
Canadian author Alexander MacLeod is the 2023 Frank O’Connor International Short Story Fellow. The fellowship is very kindly funded by Cork City Council and is an initiative of the Munster Literature Centre. There is the opportunity for four Munster fiction writers to be mentored by Alexander, tuition fees covered, between September and November of this … Read more - 2023 Mentorship Bursary Recipients
Mentorships, applied for through open submission, have been awarded to eight writers living in Munster. Poetry Mentor: Thomas McCarthy Thomas McCarthy was born in Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, in 1954 and educated locally and at University College Cork where he was auditor of the English Literature Society. He has published many collections of poetry, including The First Convention, … Read more - Alexander MacLeod to judge Ó Faoláin Short Story Competition
The Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition, open until 31st July to original, unpublished and unbroadcast short stories in the English language of 3,000 words or fewer, will be judged by Alexander MacLeod. McLeod will also take up the appointment of Frank O’Connor International Short Story Fellow in October. Alexander MacLeod’s work has appeared in The … Read more - Southword 44 out now
€10.00 Southword Editions, 2023, 106 pagesISBN: 978-1-915573-02-5 Southword 43 includes new poetry by Abigail Parry, a photo-essay by John Minihan and the winners and shortlistees of the recent Seán O’Faoláin International Short Story Competition (judged by Alan McMonagle ) and Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition (judged by Suji Kwock Kim). Subscribe and order back issues here. - Southword Editor’s Poetry Award Open
The Southword Editor’s Poetry Award Competition is now open for entries. €1000 FOR THE BEST ENTRY OF THREE POEMS Each entrant for their €20 entry fee will receive a complementary postage-free, one-year subscription to Southword. Poems will be read and judged anonymously. The winning poet will have their three poems published in Southword. If you are already … Read more - Breda Spaight’s Southword poem on Forward Prize for Best Single Poem Shortlist
The Curse by Breda Spaight, published in Southword 42, has been selected for the Forward Prize for Best Single Poem 2023 Shortlist. You can read about Breda here, her conversation with the Forward Arts Foundation here, and her poem The Curse here. In 2019 we published Breda Spaight’s debut chapbook, The Untimely Death of My … Read more - Southword Literary Essay Competition 2023 Results
This competition was open to original, unpublished, personal essays between 2500 ‒ 5000 words. We were looking for personal, confessional essays which border on memoir ‒ gripping essays full of memories and feelings. The best indicator of the kind of thing which interested us is what we have published in past issues; essays by Kim … Read more - Applications open for mentorships in poetry & fiction
Our five mentors this year will each mentor two individuals. Candidates may apply to a maximum of two mentors, but no successful candidate can receive more than one mentorship. Mentorships will consist of four face-to-face, two-hour sessions. Complete guidelines and submission details are available at southword.submittable.com. Deadline for submissions: 14th July 2023 (midnight) Mentorship in … Read more - Southword Subscribers’ Competition Results
Every year we hold a free-to-enter flash fiction competition and poetry competition exclusively for subscribers to Southword. For each category, all current subscribers are emailed a link and may submit up to three poems and/or three pieces of flash fiction; winners are published in our summer issue and receive the following: 1st Prize €150, 2nd … Read more - Fool for Poetry Chapbook Competition OpenThe Fool for Poetry International Chapbook Competition is now open for entries. Page limit: 16 – 24Closing date: 31st August (midnight)Entry fee: €25 per manuscript The competition is open to new, emerging and established poets from any country. At least one of these winners will be the highest scoring manuscript entered by a poet with no solo … Read more
- Farmgate Café National Poetry Award Winner
With sponsorship from one of Cork’s most loved restaurants, the Farmgate Café, this award is €2000 for the best full-length poetry collection in English published in 2022 by a poet residing in Ireland. Judges this year were Colm Breathnach, Eleanor Hooker and Thomas McCarthy. Limited places are available for a cosy reception at the Farmgate … Read more - Ó Faoláin Short Story Competition Open
The Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition is now open for entries. Word limit: 3,000Closing date: 31st July (midnight)Entry fee: €19 per story The competition is open to original, unpublished and unbroadcast short stories in the English language of 3,000 words or fewer. More details at our competition page.