Kildare-based writers selected for the Irish Writers Centre National Mentoring Programme

Two writers residing in County Kildare have been selected for the Irish Writers Centre National Mentoring Programme.

Following a national call, 39 writers from across Ireland have been selected from a total of 416 applicants to participate in the Irish Writing Centre National Mentoring Programme.

Local writers Clive Henry and Cora Crampton have been selected as the Kildare-based writers to receive professional literary mentoring over the next eight months from acclaimed Irish writers of their choice. 

Speaking after the announcement, Eláine Donnelly, acting Kildare Arts Officer, said: "Kildare County Council Arts Service is thrilled to support Clive Henry and Cora Crompton as the recipients of the Irish Writers Centre National Mentoring Programme scheme for County Kildare."

"The programme offers a great opportunity to celebrate local writers, and to resource them to develop their artistic practice and professional networks on their own home turf. We look forward to working with both writers in the months ahead," Ms Donnelly added.

Kildare County Council's Arts Service with the Arts Council have funded the literary mentorships to provide the writers with an opportunity for potentially career-changing mentoring support free of charge.

It is also an investment in the long-term literary reputation of the region, according to Kildare County Council.

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PROCESS

The mentoring process involves four 90-minute meetings between the selected mentee and their chosen professional writer.

Each mentor reads the awarded mentee’s writing in advance of all four meetings, sharing their feedback with the mentee at each meeting.

Mentors also provide broad professional advice, sharing the benefit of their years of experience. 

According to The Irish Writers Centre, its mission is 'to support a vibrant and diverse community of writers of all types and talents to develop their craft, capacity and confidence to thrive as a writer in the world.'

The Centre elaborated: "The National Mentoring Programme aims to resource writers to write the next great works of literature with the support and sustenance of their chosen mentor." 

"Running since 2017, the programme now has numerous published authors among its alumni, including Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, Fíona Scarlett, Will Keohane, Alice Kinsella and Victoria Kennefick to name just a few."