Waterford authors feature in the An Post Irish Book Awards

Twenty dynamic and exciting Irish fiction authors feature in a new initiative from the An Post Irish Book Awards called ‘New Voices 20 Best New Irish Writers’.

Focused on showcasing a new generation of incredible Irish writers who are reshaping the literary landscape with their fresh perspectives and captivating storytelling, the list was curated through nominations from publishers, booksellers and librarians nationwide. 

This new wave of Irish writers is infusing the literary landscape with vibrant voices that blend tradition with modernity. Their sharp, insightful prose has garnered much acclaim, resonating with both Irish and global audiences. This new literary talent is not only preserving Ireland's rich storytelling heritage, but also pushing its boundaries, making contemporary Irish literature even more dynamic and globally relevant than ever before.

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The nominated authors could be working in any genre of fiction, must have had no more than two books published over the past decade, and be Irish by birth, citizenship or long-term residence. A panel of literary experts then selected the 20 authors, highlighting some of the most exciting new talents in contemporary literature.

The list, of which there is no overall winner, will also be promoted nationwide in bookshops and libraries during September to celebrate the 20 authors ahead of the An Post Irish Book Awards 2024 campaign.

The two Waterford authors featured in this collection are:

Aingeala Flannery:

Aingeala Flannery is a writer and broadcaster from Waterford. Her critically acclaimed debut novel The Amusements was published by Penguin Sandycove in 2022. She is also the current writer-in-residence at Dublin City University.

Megan Nolan:

Megan Nolan was born in Waterford, Ireland and is currently based in New York. For her debut novel, Acts of Desperation, Nolan was the recipient of a Betty Trask Award, shortlisted for the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award and longlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize. Ordinary Human Failings was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction.

The judging panel consisted of:

• Maria Dickenson, Chairperson of the judging panel and Irish Book Awards board member
• Angus Laverty, Public Affairs Manager at An Post
• Breda Brown, Chair of the Irish Writers Centre
• Dawn Behan, President of the Irish Booksellers Association
• Eileen Morrissey, President of the Library Association of Ireland
• Madeleine Keane, Literary Editor of the Sunday Independent
• Sinéad Mac Aodha, Executive Director at Literature Ireland

Maria Dickenson, Chairperson of the judging panel and an Irish Book Awards board member, says: “We are delighted to continue supporting Irish writers, and, this year, to present 20 of the most promising names in Irish literature through the New Voices initiative. As a nation of storytellers, Ireland has an incredible level of writing talent which was showcased through the vast range of amazing authors submitted for this initiative.

Irish writing is in great hands with this new generation of authors selected for New Voices. We look forward to celebrating them in the weeks to come, and at our awards ceremony this November.”

David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, says: “I have always loved the connection between the writers we champion and the community of publishers, booksellers and readers that has grown up around the An Post Irish Book Awards. Now we are taking it a stage further and saying ‘Just take a look at what’s next. Here’s to the next wave of writers meeting readers, the magic continues.”

Now in its 19th year, the An Post Irish Book Awards celebrate and promote Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible. The initiative brings together a vast community passionate about books – readers, authors, booksellers, publishers and librarians – to recognise the very best of new and established Irish writing talent and 2024 will be no different.

Categories in the An Post Irish Book Awards include Novel of the Year, Children’s (Junior and Senior), Cookery, Crime Fiction, Popular Fiction, Non-fiction, Sports, Short Story, Poetry, Teen and Young Adult and Irish Language.

The shortlist for this year’s An Post Irish Book Awards will be announced in late October, with the awards ceremony taking place on November 27th. A television programme will be broadcast on RTÉ One television in December, culminating in one of the 2024 winning titles being announced as the ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year 2024’.