Howl
New Irish writing
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What We're Looking For
HOWL New Irish Writing is a biennial print publication showcasing the creative wail in Irish writing from around the world.
Submissions for HOWL 26 were open from February 13th - February 23rd 2026.
We are now closed for submissions. We aim to respond to all contributors before July 2026.
Previous HOWL editions are available online, at your local library, and in bookshops nationwide.
about HOWL
HOWL New Irish Writing (HOWL) is an biennial literary journal dedicated to showcasing emerging and established Irish writers. Co-founded in 2022 by Róisín Leggett Bohan and Lauren O’Donovan, HOWL serves as a dynamic platform not only for writers residing in Ireland but also for the expansive international Irish diaspora. HOWL embraces the diverse and multicultural facets of modern Irish identity. Lauren and Róisín are dedicated to ensuring that HOWL continues to be a vibrant testament to the eclectic voices shaping contemporary Irish literature.
HOWL’s primary mission is to forge meaningful connections between Irish writing and readers, fostering a vibrant literary community. Each edition of HOWL features creative works in both English agus as Gaeilge. We recognize the integral role of the Irish language in shaping Irish identity and acknowledge that certain poems and stories find their most authentic expression as Gaeilge. Julie Goo is the Irish language guest editor for HOWL 26. Julie is a bilingual Cork poet with sharp lyric clarity and cross-disciplinary energy.
For HOWL 26, we are delighted to have accomplished writers Molly Twomey and Gunnhildur Jónatansdóttir join the team to work on English language poetry and fiction.
As writers themselves, the editorial team have a deep appreciation for the effort, time investment, and vulnerability that come with submitting work for publication. They are dedicated to upholding a holistic duty of care to all submitters, nurturing the link between writer and editor to ultimately showcase unique work that is raw and real.
Lauren and Róisín met while studying for their MA in Creative Writing at UCC. They quickly found they shared a wild enthusiasm for curating and editing writing. During their first shared lunch, the idea of HOWL took shape. Since then, they have completed their degrees, edited several books, benefited from generous mentorship, and continued to develop their own writing careers. Both have published books of their own work, appear widely in journals and anthologies, and have each received national and international awards.
We are grateful for the support of Cork City Arts which funds a portion of our costs. HOWL is a break-even, not-for-profit publication. We are working hard to acquire additional funding for future publications to pay contributing writers fair remuneration.
We are happy to maintain close ties with UCC through their Creative Writing MA work experience programme.
Editorial Team
Róisín Leggett Bohan
FOUNDING EDITOR
Lauren O'Donovan
FOUNDING EDITOR
Julie Goo
Eagarthóir Gaeilge
Contact
Email / HOWL New Irish Writing, howlwriting@gmail.com
Location / Cork, Ireland
Founding Editors / Róisín Leggett Bohan, Lauren O'Donovan
