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:
Waterstones, Cork, Hodges Figgis, MoLI, Books Upstairs, The Library Project Temple Bar, The Winding Stair Bookshop, Raven Books, Dubray Books, Charlie Byrne's Bookshop, Bell Book & Candle, & Carrigaline Bookshop.
about HOWL
HOWL is a literary platform committed to showcasing the best of Irish writing, both from home and abroad. In other words, we’re all about Irish writing, no matter where it comes from. Co-founders Lauren and Róisín understand firsthand the diverse and borderless nature of Irish creativity, having spent significant time outside of Ireland themselves before returning to settle in the county of their birth, Cork. They have crafted a publication that celebrates the complexity of Irish identity and the beauty of its writing, featuring not only the spectacular work coming directly from Ireland, but also the voices of Ireland's children scattered around the world.
HOWL features work both in English and Irish, as some stories and poems can only be properly appreciated in their mother tongue. Award-winning writer Thaddeus Ó Buachalla is HOWL's Irish language editor.
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 duty of care to all submitters, nurturing the link between writer and editor to ultimately showcase unique work that is raw and real. So, whether you're a literary aficionado or just someone who loves a good story, we invite you to join us on this journey of discovering the best of Irish writing, together.
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 past-editor of The Stinging Fly, Danny Denton; poets Afric McGlinchey, Paul Muldoon, and Matthew Geden; author and scholar Eibhear Walshe; short story writer Alannah Hopkin; 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
