Irish Writers Centre International Debut Novel Competition finalists revealed

The Irish Writers Centre has announced the 12 finalists of its International Debut Novel Competition for 2026, marking a significant milestone in the organisation's ongoing support for emerging authors. This year's competition saw a record number of entries, 804 submissions from 38 countries, with 12 writers chosen to present their unpublished novels to leading publishers and literary agents on September 10th and 11th. The event is part of the Irish Writers Centre’s broader mission to foster new talent in literature. The competition provides a unique platform for aspiring novelists to connect directly with industry professionals, offering them a chance to advance their careers. Mags McLoughlin, chief executive of the Irish Writers Centre, highlighted the importance of such initiatives, particularly as the organisation celebrates its 35th anniversary. She noted how the competition has helped past participants transition from submitting manuscripts to publishing their debut works. A recent example includes Andrew Cunning, whose novel Clara and Christina was launched in Dublin earlier this month after being pitched through the competition in February 2025. Among the 12 finalists is Eileen Donnellan, originally from east Clare and currently residing on the Croatian island of Brač. Her novel, The Notion of Words, delves into themes of grief, secrets, and the repercussions of false beliefs. Another finalist, Fiona Ennis, hails from Waterford and is both an award-winning fiction writer and a literature and philosophy lecturer at South East Technological University. Her debut novel, The Veil Thins, reflects her academic background and literary achievements, which include receiving a 2026 EU Presidency Literature Bursary. From Dublin comes Philip Fitzpatrick, a secondary school teacher who balanced his teaching responsibilities with raising his young son while writing School Days Over. Also from Dublin is Caitríona McGuire, whose career spans television production, frontline paramedicine, and healthcare. After beginning to write in 2023, she was selected for the Irish Writers Centre National Mentoring Programme 2026, and her debut novel is titled Fiva Lima Three Three. Tom Hall, another Dublin-based finalist, brings a wealth of experience in film and television to his debut novel, Louder than War. He has previously worked on projects such as Bachelors Walk, Modern Love, Sensation, and Northern Lights. Adana Keane, based in Gorey, County Wexford, is a former participant of the Irish Writers Centre National Mentoring Programme. Her fiction has been published in the Irish Independent and has received recognition from the Bridport and Fish competitions. Her debut novel is The Art of Autopsy. Paul McMahon, originally from west Belfast and now based in Cork, is an award-winning poet and playwright. His latest play was developed with the Abbey Theatre, and his debut novel, The Playboy of West Belfast, promises to bring his theatrical sensibilities to the written word. Colin Sheridan, an Irish Examiner journalist and columnist from Salthill, Galway, shifts to fiction with Entropy, a novel examining identity, conflict, and the quest for meaning. Michael Stevens, from Mayo and now based in Dublin, is a writer, musician, and songwriter who has received two Arts Council funding awards. His work has appeared in several literary journals, and his debut novel, The Setlists, draws on his artistic background. From Basel, Switzerland, Zoë Dunkley made the switch from a career in oncology research to full-time writing. Recognised by international competitions such as the WriteMentor Novel Award and Ascent Novel Prize, her novel is titled Written Out. Finally, Angela Pertusini, an award-winning journalist from London, has worked extensively in newspapers and magazines. Recently completing her debut novel, Otherwhere, through the Curtis Brown Creative Write Your Book programme, she joins the list of promising new voices set to make their mark in the literary world. Each of these writers represents a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, all converging at this pivotal moment in their creative journeys.