Deploying a mix of theory, exercise and class discussion, this one-day course with Alan McMonagle will steer participants through the elements of an effective short story. We’ll look at openings, voice, tone, point-of-view, characterisation, dialogue, language, setting and endings; examine what a short story attempts to achieve; reference proven masters, and apply to prompt-based exercises. Suitable for the committed beginner and those who have been writing for some time.

Award-winning writer, Alan McMonagle has published two collections of short stories, Liar Liar (Wordsonthestreet, 2009) and Psychotic Episodes(Arlen House, 2013), both of which were nominated for the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award. He is a contributor to the anthology Young Irelanders (New Island, 2015). He published his debut novel, Ithaca, the first of a two book deal with Picador, in 2017.

PLEASE NOTE: Booking for this workshop opens on January 7th 2019

Presented in association with the Irish Writers Centre and Words Ireland