Writer Development

In 2021, the Play It Forward Fellowships were established, with an aim to nurture and amplify the talents of writers whose voices and stories have traditionally been underrepresented in Irish literature and publishing. Run jointly by Skein Press and The Stinging Fly, spearheaded by poet and editor Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, this pilot programme sought to advance new perspectives in contemporary cultural discourse, and broaden conversations around diversity, inclusion, access and opportunity across the literary landscape.

The inaugural Play It Forward Fellowships were awarded to Gonchigkhand Byambaa, Sara Chudzik, Neo Florence Gilson, Majed Mujed and Sarah Fitzgerald. The second cohort welcomed Helen Hutchinson and Chrissy Donoghue Ward. The Play It Forward programme created pathways for writers to develop, showcase and publish their work through structured support including mentoring, editorial feedback, career consulting, participation in workshops, training, festivals and literary events, as well as providing opportunities to meet and build relationships with editors, agents, publishers and writers in order to significantly progress their writing practice. Learn more about the fellows’ achievements here.

The final report and findings is available here, as well as a detailed Phase I report encompassing the outreach and selection process, accessible here. These Fellowships were funded through the generous support of the Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth/An Roinn Leanaí and the Independent Living Movement Ireland.

In 2023, the third cohort of Fellows began their work with Skein Press funded by The Rowan Trust and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth/An Roinn Leanaí and supported by Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. Current Fellows are Sara Chudzik, Helen Hutchinson, Emer Lyons, Roxana Manouchehri, Aoife Martin, Sadhbh Moriarty, Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan and Nellie Warren who will all receive tailored support to assist them in the development of their work.