The Irish Writers Centre International Debut Novel Competition offers talented unpublished novelists the opportunity to pitch their novels directly to leading publishers and literary agents. The 2026 competition attracted a record-breaking 804 submissions from 38 countries, with 12 writers selected as this year’s winners
The 12 winning writers, from Ireland, Britain and mainland Europe, will pitch their unpublished debuts to publishers and agents on September 10th and 11th.
It is an opportunity that can have a real impact on a writer’s career.
Mags McLoughlin, chief executive of the Irish Writers Centre, said: “As we celebrate 35 years of the Irish Writers Centre, it feels especially fitting to continue investing in the next generation of writers. One of the most rewarding aspects of this competition is seeing writers progress from pitching an unpublished manuscript to celebrating the publication of their debut novel.
“Just last week we were delighted to host the Dublin launch of Andrew Cunning’s debut novel, Clara and Christina (John Murray Press), here in the Irish Writers Centre. Andrew first pitched that very novel through this competition in February 2025, making it even more rewarding to now welcome the next group of talented writers who are embarking on the same journey.”
The winners
Eileen Donnellan – East Clare/Brač, Croatia
Raised on a farm in east Clare and now living on the Croatian island of Brač, former palliative care nurse Eileen Donnellan’s novel The Notion of Words explores grief, secrets and the consequences of false beliefs.
Fiona Ennis – Waterford
Fiona Ennis is an awardwinning fiction writer and literature and philosophy lecturer at South East Technological University, whose accolades include a 2026 EU Presidency Literature Bursary. Her debut novel is The Veil Thins.
Philip Fitzpatrick – Dublin
Dublin secondary schoolteacher Philip Fitzpatrick wrote his debut novel, School Days Over, while balancing full-time teaching with raising his young son.
Caitríona McGuire – Dublin
After careers spanning television production, frontline paramedicine and healthcare, Caitríona McGuire began writing in 2023 and was selected for the Irish Writers Centre National Mentoring Programme 2026. Her debut novel is Fiva Lima Three Three.
Tom Hall – Dublin
Awardwinning writer, director and producer Tom Hall, whose screen credits include Bachelors Walk, Modern Love, Sensation and Northern Lights, makes the move from screen to page with his debut novel, Louder than War.
Adana Keane – Gorey, Co Wexford
Wexford-based Adana Keane is a former Irish Writers Centre National Mentoring Programme participant whose fiction has featured in the Irish Independent New Irish Writing Competition and been recognised by the Bridport and Fish competitions. Her debut novel is The Art of Autopsy.
Paul McMahon – Clonakilty, Co Cork
Originally from west Belfast and now based in Cork, awardwinning poet and playwright Paul McMahon has been widely published, with his latest play developed with the Abbey Theatre. His debut novel is The Playboy of West Belfast.
Colin Sheridan – Salthill, Galway
Irish Examiner journalist and columnist Colin Sheridan turns to fiction with Entropy, a debut novel exploring identity, conflict, belonging and the search for meaning.
Michael Stevens – Dublin
Originally from Mayo, Dublin-based writer, musician and songwriter Michael Stevens is a two-time Arts Council funding recipient whose work has appeared in numerous literary journals. His book is The Setlists.
Zoë Dunkley – Basel, Switzerland
Former oncology researcher Zoë Dunkley left a career in science to write full time and has since been recognised by international competitions, including the WriteMentor Novel Award and Ascent Novel Prize. Her novel is called Written Out.
Angela Pertusini – London
Award-winning journalist Angela Pertusini has worked across newspapers and magazines and recently completed her debut novel, Otherwhere, through the Curtis Brown Creative Write Your Novel course.
Christopher Smith – Brighton
Brighton-based Christopher Smith works in commercial licensing and intellectual property, with his fiction recognised by the Bridport Prize, Hope Prize and Retreat West First Chapter Competition. His debut novel is Everything is Wrong.
Credit: irishtimes
