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Book Review: The Skelper and Me
Tony Doherty completes his trilogy of Troubles memoirs with more accessible and authentic storytelling, spanning his time as an IRA prisoner to his long journey for justice after his father's death on Bloody Sunday -
Working your way up in the arts sector
Hilary Copeland on how every piece of experience counts on the course to becoming a creative and cultural professional – an exciting area where there's no typical day -
The Way We Were
Dublin author Sinéad Moriarty gives shelter to fiction fans in Bangor with an intimate discussion around her latest novel and writing career -
Kith and Kindle: Self-Publishing a Century-Old Family Story
Debut author Aileen Bartlett on piecing together a true tale of childhood in WW1 Belfast and the importance of celebrating our predecessors -
A Collection Written in the Stars
The late Seamus Heaney's wife Marie calls upon four centuries of distinguished bards in a new book of nighttime-themed poems and songs -
Harry Potter Release Parties to Bewitch Book Lovers in Northern Ireland
Retailers across the country celebrate the latest chapter in J.K. Rowling's fantasy franchise with magical events counting down to its midnight launch on July 31 -
Magherafelt's Man of Mystery
Crime author Paul Charles on taking the Agatha Christie approach for his latest whodunnit and why fictional detectives needn't be dysfunctional -
Third Writers on Writers Festival
Linen Hall Library celebrates a century of women writers in memory of Christina Reid with this year's series of talks, workshops and performances -
The Future of NI Poetry
Stephen Connolly on compiling a new generation of voices in Irish literature for a landmark anthology with TS Eliot Prize-winner Sinéad Morrissey -
On the Shelf: April 2016
Michael Conaghan lays Ireland's claim to Shakespeare and rounds up this month's must-read releases -
Words of Encouragement: Annemarie Neary
The 2014 Michael McLaverty Award winner outlines why writers shouldn't stop short of submitting their works of fiction to the biennial competition -
Belfast and Dublin Unite for Two Cities One Book
Author Lia Mills on her Easter Rising-set novel Fallen, chosen to bring the Irish capitals together with a month of reading-related events throughout April -
Michael McLaverty Short Story Award Returns
Linen Hall Library launch the biennial competition offering writers the chance to win one of Irish literature's top prizes -
Creativity Month Writers in Residence
Authors Martina Devlin and Anthony Quinn share their enthusiasm for the Libraries NI role as duties are split for the first time -
The Woman on the Other Side
Ballyclare poet Stephanie Conn on how she turned words of comfort into an award-winning trade ahead of her debut collection's release -
On the Shelf: March 2016
In the first of a new column, writer Michael Conaghan considers literature's link with upcoming centenaries and rounds up this month's best releases -
Women Aloud NI
One-day literary celebration aims to bring due recognition to our wealth of female authors, poets and storytellers -
Irish Pages Consider Life After Heaney
Editor Chris Agee on how the poet's absence has already affected the cultural landscape, as the journal for contemporary writing launches its second tribute issue -
The Musical Life of Nineteenth-Century Belfast
Roy Johnston's posthumous chronicle of the formative period is an unprecedented work. Claire Savage reports from its launch at the Linen Hall Library -
Belfast Book Chosen for Historic Big Read
Paul McVeigh's debut novel The Good Son will be the literary focus of the milestone 50th Brighton Festival -
Colin Bateman Reports Back
The celebrated writer revisits his newsroom roots in his latest novel, and looks forward to his Paisley/McGuinness script making it to the big screen -
Troubles Over the Bridge
James Ellis's memoir raises questions of the times that deprived the late actor of his true off-stage potential as well as the wider barriers art must often overcome -
An Evening with Ian Rankin
The acclaimed author on why his latest release isn't 'really a Rebus novel', as the retired detective moves out on his own in the Scottish capital -
Belfast Literature - December 2015
A round-up of the best literary events, readings and festivals taking place throughout the next month -
Troubles Over The Bridge
New memoir tells of late actor Jimmy Ellis' fight against theatre censorship in 1950s Belfast. Listen to an extract read by longtime friend Adrian Dunbar -
Sam Burnside Book Launch
Playwright Frank McGuinness and more mark the release of the poet's newest publications with recitals tinged with the significance of recent world events -
Doing Justice to Valberg
Author and solicitor Desmond Doherty on the lauded crime series, and adapting to the big screen, ahead of the launch of its third instalment -
Brian McGilloway and John Connolly
Two of Ireland's most accomplished crime authors trade literary lessons to mark the double launch of their latest books -
Sure, Why Would Ye Not? and Other Irish Turns of Phrase
Fermanagh writer Rodney Edwards gives a flavour of his debut book with ten of the uniquely indigenous expressions that pepper its dialogue -
The Wheels of the World: 300 Years of Uilleann Pipers
From the Famine to the Fureys, Colin Harper leaves few stones unturned in his quest to trace the fortunes of Ireland's 'only' true indigenous instrument -
Read an Extract from The Faerie Thorn
The title story from debut author Jane Talbot's collection of dark fairy tales is the perfect mood setter for Halloween -
An Affirming Flame
Gerald Dawe looks at the life of soldier and poet Francis Ledwidge, one of the inspirations behind his new book on Irish writing and wartime -
My Writing Life; Why Bother?
Authors Carlo Gébler and Ian Sansom share their views and experiences of the literary world with a sold-out crowd at Aspects Festival -
Aspects Festival Preview
The Irish literary feast's 24th edition reaches out to new corners of Bangor with boundary-pushing events celebrating the written word -
John McAllister Does Things By the Book
The Armagh author on how early writing habits and working life during the Troubles continues to shape his acclaimed crime novels -
Belfast Literature - August 2015
Round-up of the best literary events, readings and festivals taking place throughout the next month -
Hewitt Finds His Rightful Home
Ulster Museum hosts the returning exhibition recognising the literary legacy of its most celebrated alumni -
Read a New Poem by Michael Longley
'The Snowdrops' is taken from the award-winning Belfast poet's new illustrated collection Sea Asters -
Five Tips For Getting Published
The Irish Writers Centre offer advice on how to see your work in print before bringing Publishing Day to the Belfast Book Festival -
Elaine Gaston
The Ballycastle poet on launching her debut collection on Doire Press and using language to confront the everyday complexities of North Coast life -
Seamus Heaney Award for New Writing 2015
Community Arts Partnership reward Stephanie Conn for her poem 'Lavender Fields' at a busy evening in Belfast's Duncairn Centre for Culture and Arts -
The Squat Pen
Ballycastle Writers Group host the fortnightly showcase of poetry and music on tour from its usual home of Belfast's No Alibis Bookshop -
Humdinger! Children's Story Festival 2015
The celebrated festival returns to Derry with illustrator Nick Sharratt, comedian David O'Doherty and more hosting fun family events from March 23 - 28 -
Guildhall Press Inspired Festival
One-day literary celebration encourages aspiring writers of all ages in Derry -
Top events to check out at Aspects Irish Literature Festival
Heather McGarrigle does her best to narrow down ten highlights from this year's huge programme, not just for book lovers, from September 20 - October 6 in Bangor -
Derry: The Irish Revolution, 1912-23
Historian Adrian Grant delves a century into the city's past and, with new facts and parallels to today, manages to makes a gripping read from events we already know the outcomes of -
'Like moon dust dropped on Armagh': the rapid rise of the John O'Connor arts festival
In just two years, the event has gone from an unknown prospect to one which lights up the city with four days of literary magic -
Her Name Was Rose
Claire Allan leaves 'Chick Lit' behind in favour of a dark thriller which, for the Derry-based author, signals a bright new chapter -
The Lost Soul of Eamonn Magee
While his wasted sporting potential is a source of frustration, the ex-world champion boxer's remarkable, still unfinished story makes for an absorbing read with as much tragedy as it has triumph -
Why there's no right way to becoming a writer
Authors Myra Zepf and Claire Savage reflect on their different routes to publication and share tips for aspiring scribes to carve their own path -
Larne-based storyteller gives voice to timeless children's tales
Since moving to Northern Ireland Vicky McFarland has turned her lifelong love of books into a business of audio-sensory magic – listen to a recording from her recent collection -
Read an excerpt from the hilarious Belfast version of A Christmas Carol
Stephen Large's tragicomic take on Dickens' festive tale comes to the Amazon bookstore after a successful debut on stage last year -
The Dead Beside Us
Tony Doherty wastes no time in following up his 'important' debut with a 'profound' adolescent account of conflict continuing to tear through 1970s Derry -
Jennifer Johnston: 'What do I do with my life if I can't write?'
The revered author contemplates her creative well running dry after an almost 50 year career - and much more - ahead of her appearance at Seamus Heaney HomePlace -
One Year Into My 'Dream Job' at Seamus Heaney HomePlace
Cathy Brown reflects on the 'challenge, honour and privilege' of being Arts Programmer at Bellaghy's dedicated centre on its first anniversary -
Northern Ireland's longest-running literature festival continues to spread the word
Aspects at 25 may be a tough act to follow, but this year brings more big names to Bangor while celebrating centuries of writing heritage -
Paul Muldoon on breathing new life into Heaney's 'Human Chain'
The Pulitzer Prize-winning poet reveals how dance, genetics and horses all factor into a weekend exploring his one-time tutor's final collection -
Bernard MacLaverty: 'You have to live your life before you can write about it'
The acclaimed author talks about his first novel in 16 years, where the time went and how one unique place not only inspired it, but changed his way of thinking about life and love -
John Hewitt Summer School Launch
This year's summer school features 35 events from more than 100 writers, artists commentators and lecturers -
This is Hame: Two Modern Ulster-Scots Poets
James Fenton and Philip Robinson have been recently re-published by Ullans Press. Their books offer a window into that world – its language, humour, culture, religion and politics
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