The Books Ireland Guide 2025.

SAMPLE CHAPTER HERE.

The Irish Writers Handbook 2025 focuses on the practicalities of the writing life like what a commissioning editor is looking for, how to work with your bookseller, and exactly how the Irish publishing process works. Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, illustrate books for young people or are an emerging poet, this book is your reliable guide.

Featuring advice from the great and the good of the Irish book world such as Donal Ryan, Jan Carson, Claire Hennessy, Una Mannion, Nuala O’Connor, Kevin Power, Aoife Roantree, Kit de Waal and many more, and including brand new pieces from the likes of Jessica Traynor, Sarah Webb, Cristín Leach, Anne Tannam, and Gerard Beirne, readers can learn from the full spectrum of the Irish book industry’s experience.

‘Packed with practical and instructive info, and philosophical, thought-provoking ideas on the nature of writing and art itself, this little book will be an important lifeline for budding writers and jaded hacks alike.’

—The Irish Independent.

Ruth McKee is the editor of Books Ireland and the host of the Burning Books podcast.