Howl
New Irish writing
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What We're Looking For
HOWL is an annual print publication showcasing the creative wail in Irish writing from around the world. We want the raw and the real. If it excites you, we want you to send it to us. Fáiltímid roimh obair as Gaeilge.
We are now closed for submissions for HOWL 24. We will reopen for submissions in early 2025.
If you would like to read what we have published previously, there are limited copies of HOWL 23 available online, at your local library, and in bookshops nationwide including:
Hewson Books—Brentford, No Alibis Bookshop—Belfast, Waterstones—Cork, Hodges Figgis—Dublin, MoLI—Dublin, Books Upstairs—Dublin, The Library Project Temple Bar—Dublin, The Winding Stair Bookshop—Dublin, Raven Books—Dublin, Dubray Books—Nationwide, Charlie Byrne's Bookshop—Galway, Bell Book & Candle—Galway, & Carrigaline Bookshop—Cork.
about HOWL
HOWL New Irish Writing (HOWL) is an annual 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 annual edition of HOWL features creative works in both English and Irish. 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. Thaddeus Ó Buachalla is the Irish language guest editor for HOWL 24. Thaddeus is a respected writer, editor, and UCC lecturer.
As writers themselves, Lauren, Róisín, and Thaddeus 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 seeds of HOWL were planted, now coming into bloom years later. During that time, Lauren and Róisín achieved their degrees, published The Same Page Anthology, embarked on their own writing careers, and have been mentored by many excellent writers and editors, including author and The Stinging Fly editor, Danny Denton; author and scholar Dr Eibhear Walshe; and author and Banshee editor, Eimear Ryan—all extremely generous with their knowledge and time.
We are grateful for the support of Cork City Arts which funds a portion of our print 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
Thaddeus Ó Buachalla
Eagarthóir Gaeilge
Contact
Email / HOWL New Irish Writing, howlwriting@gmail.com
Location / Cork, Ireland
Editors / Róisin Leggett Bohan, Lauren O'Donovan
