Call for Submissions and Poetry Workshop: Kilkenny Poetry Broadsheet Issue 21                           Poetry Workshop Fee: €15

 Kilkenny County Council Arts Office is delighted to announce their call out for submissions for the publication of the twenty first issue of the very popular KILKENNY POETRY BROADSHEET. The aim of the publication is to give Kilkenny writers, born or based in Kilkenny City and County, a platform for their work. We are thrilled to have Jessica Traynor as this year’s editor. Last year 47 writers answered the call out for submissions, sending in 91 poems for consideration. Twelve poems, by twelve poets, were selected by Editor Colm Keegan for publication and a further three poets were shortlisted. 

Following publication, the Broadsheet is available free throughout the city and county via the library branches and other venues.

Broadsheet 2021 Application Form.docx (size 87.5 KB)

Closing date for receipt of submissions is no later than 4pm on Thursday 1^st April 2021.

Jessica Traynor is a poet, dramaturg, librettist and creative writing teacher. Her debut collection, Liffey Swim (Dedalus Press, 2014), was shortlisted for the Strong/Shine Award. Her second collection, The Quick, was a 2019 Irish Times poetry choice. In 2019, she co-edited Correspondences: an anthology to call for an end to direct provision with actor Stephen Rea, bringing together asylum seekers in Ireland’s direct provision system with Irish writers. The book was a best-seller, with all proceeds going to MASI (Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland). She was also commissioned by Music for Galway to write an opera with composer Elaine Agnew for Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture. The resulting opera Paper Boat, will be performed in 2021.

Current projects include a commission from Offaly County Council and The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government to write a poetic history of the town of Banagher. The resulting pamphlet, A Place of Pointed Stones, is forthcoming in 2021.

Awards include the Ireland Chair of Poetry Bursary, Hennessy New Irish Writer of the Year and the Listowel Poetry Prize. In 2016, she was named one of Poetry Ireland’s Rising Generation of poets. She is joint recipient of two commission awards from the Arts Council for 2021.

She has worked as Literary Manager of the Abbey Theatre and Deputy Museum Director of EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. She is Poet in Residence at the Yeats Society, Sligo and a Creative Fellow of UCD.

Poetry Workshop:

In advance of the 1^st April deadline for submissions, Broadsheet 21 Editor Jessica Traynor will run a workshop in Kilkenny on 13^th March. Participants will have an opportunity to meet the editor and gain a perspective on the editorial process. They will also get feedback on their work, generate new writing, learn approaches to revision and increase their knowledge of poetic techniques.  For those hoping to submit work to the Broadsheet or just looking to deepen their poetry skills in general, this is a unique and exciting opportunity for writers to work with an established poet and skilled teacher.  Places are limited.  Fee €15.  The fee is subsidised to make the opportunity as accessible as possible.  Bookings for the Poetry Workshop: contact Arts Office 056/7794547 or email deirdre.southey@kilkennycoco.ie

Booking details for Poetry Workshop

Date: Saturday 13^th March, venue to be confirmed. Due to COVID restrictions it might be online via Zoom.

Duration: 2 ½ hours       Time: 10.00am – 12.30pm

Bookings through Kilkenny County Council Arts Office, email: deirdre.southey@kilkennycoco.ie or phone 056-7794547. Deadline for bookings:   Monday 1^st March 2021.

Cost: €15payable by Wednesday 10^th March at 3.00pm to secure your place.  See below for payment details.

Payment details: Once your place has been confirmed on the above course payment can be made at the Receipts Office of Kilkenny County Council. Receipts Office will only be accepting payments over the phone or by Postal Order/Cheque. Call 056 7794229. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9.10 am through lunch to 3.30pm

When making payment please quote your name and Poetry Workshop e.g. John Smith/Poetry Workshop.   A receipt will be issued to you which you are required to bring to the workshop for our records.  We ask that you kindly adhere to this payment procedure.  It is not possible for payments to be made in any other manner. Please note that your inclusion in the workshop will only be possible on production of your receipt at the workshop.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.