Submissions deadline: 31st July 2026
Waterford Libraries are delighted to invite submissions from writers based in Waterford for the first Writers at Waterford Libraries Journal.
This journal marks the third phase of the Writers at Waterford Libraries programme. Writers at Waterford Libraries was founded in 2023 with an inaugural selection of high-quality author visits and a series of writing courses. The programme is on its fourth year and as well as bringing high quality author events to Waterford such as the recent visit by Booker Prize winner Anna Burns as well as events with Kevin Barry, Colm Toíbín, Claire Keegan, John Connelly and Liz Nugent.
Each year a selection of free writing courses has been offered to the Waterford community, taught by published writers who are experts at teaching their chosen area of creative writing. Now after four years of providing opportunities for Waterford people to take part in creative writing classes, Writers at Waterford Libraries is offering the opportunity to submit to the inaugural journal. Submissions are open until 31st July 2026. Writers taking part must be 18 or older and have a residential address in Waterford City or County.
Waterford Libraries
Mary Conway, City and County Librarian and Head of Culture said “We are delighted to launch this first journal produced by Waterford Libraries and would like to thank Creative Waterford for providing the funding for this journal in 2026. We would also like to thank the Munster Literature Centre for supporting this first journal. This journal provides an opportunity for past participants in the Writers at Waterford Libraries courses and the more established writers in Waterford to submit their work. We look forward to submissions as Gaeilge and in English in poetry, short story, flash fiction and creative nonfiction”.
The guest editor of the first edition of the journal will be poet, writer and editor Joanne McCarthy.
This is an open submission opportunity for residents of County Waterford for the publication of a piece of Short Story, Flash Fiction, Poem, Creative Non-Fiction.
Only Short Stories, Flash Fiction, Poetry and Creative Non-Fiction will be accepted.
Submissions can be submitted in English or as Gaeilge.
We look forward to reading your work.
Eligibility for Writers at Waterford Libraries Journal
Minimum requirements
Open to those who are over 18 years, who are normally resident within the County of Waterford.
Submitting your work
Exact word count of your Short Story, Flash-Fiction, Poem, Creative Non-Fiction
The word limits are:
- Short Stories or Creative Non-Fiction – no more than 1,500 words.
- Flash Fiction – no more than 500 words.
- Poetry – no more than 30 lines long.
Submissions can be written in English or as Gaeilge.
Please upload your piece in Word or PDF format.
*Your name, email or any other personal details MUST NOT appear on the work being submitted*
See here for further information.
And see here for more submission opportunities on Writing.ie.
