‘Quite simply, I know that without The Stinging Fly I would never have had a single thing published. I attended the six month workshop in 2015–2016 and it was a transformative experience. That sounds a little excessive, but it was. It changed quite profoundly the way I think about what I read, and it made me an infinitely better writer.’—Wendy Erskine
Our workshop programme includes our annual summer school and our six-month fiction workshops.
The principal aim of our workshop programme is to allow writers to develop their writing practice through engagement with groups of similarly motivated individuals.
2023–24 Writing Workshops
Applications have now closed.
We are running two 6-month writing workshops again this year: a hybrid workshop with Sean O’Reilly and a fully online workshop with Danielle McLaughlin.
The workshops will run from late September 2023 until the end of March 2024.
The hybrid workshop will include in-person, full-day workshops on five Saturdays during the period. All workshop participants must attend these sessions.
Applications for both workshops will be accepted from June 26th until July 27th 2023.
The tuition fee for each workshop is €1800. The concession rate for anyone who is unwaged or on low income is €1350. One free place will be offered in each group.
2023 Summer School
Applications have now closed.
A range of online and in-person workshops in fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
In-person Workshops at the Irish Writers Centre: July 3rd to July 7th 2023
Fiction: Mia Gallagher | Non-Fiction: Roisin Kiberd | Poetry: Annemarie Ní Churreáin
Online Workshops via Zoom: July 10th to July 14th 2023
Fiction: Wendy Erskine, Michael Magee, Mary Morrissy, Joanna Walsh
Non-Fiction: Arnold Thomas Fanning | Poetry: Martina Evans
New Entry-Level Workshops
Online via Zoom
July 3rd to July 7th with Danielle McLaughlin
July 10th to July 14th with Maame Blue
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‘The Stinging Fly’s 6-month fiction workshop is a game changer; challenging, exhilarating, and unforgettable, it completely alters the way you read and write fiction… At the end of the course I had completed a short story collection I was proud of that went on to be critically acclaimed. If I could Groundhog Day this course, I’d do it again and again for every book. Magic.’ —June Caldwell
‘I attended the Stinging Fly summer school in 2018, and I thought I knew what to expect because I’d attended a few writing workshops before this, but the Stinging Fly school was different—the discussions were more rigorous, more challenging, more frank and generous in spirit; it was joyful. The class completely changed the way I think about the fiction I read. It pushed me to investigate what I’m interested in, in my own writing, with more commitment and care.’ —Chetna Maroo
‘It is a rare privilege to be in the company of people who understand the insecurities and anxieties that arise when you are struggling to create fiction out of all the embarrassing stuff that’s inside your head. The Stinging Fly continues to create a space where writers can learn to support and champion each other’s aspirational worlds.’ —Louise Nealon
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