Well-known author to take weekly creative writing class in County Derry

For roughly ten years, a weekly creative writing class has been held at The Kilcronaghan Centre (10 Rectory Road, Tobermore).

During that time four books have been published - in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2024 - and the group, known as the Five Roads Writing Group, has continued to expand and welcome new members to their most enjoyable and informal meetings.

After the summer break, classes will resume on Tuesday, October 14 (10.30am to 12noon) and an open invitation is extended to all, particularly those with no previous writing experience.

Further details of this 8-week block of classes can be obtained from the Centre (028 796 27826).

The exciting news is that for this term the group will be having a new tutor, James Simpson.

James is the author of “Smokes and Birds” (2021) and also “True Colours” (2024) and has recently been described as a vibrant new literary voice and as a compelling new voice in Irish short story writing.

After a career in the Health Service, James graduated with distinction in Creative Writing from The Seamus Heaney Centre, Q.U.B. in 2019.

A runner up in The Frank McManus Short Story Prize in 2013, he was long listed for the Penguin Ireland Short Prize and became an Irish Novel Fair finalist in 2019.

His arrival at Kilcronaghan is being eagerly looked forward to.