Making your Debut: Novel Writers’ Forum

We’re delighted to welcome to the Cúirt stage three of the best debut novelists of recent years, each shortlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize in 2021. Eley WIlliams (The Liar’s Dictionary, Penguin), Rebecca Watson (little scratch, Faber) and A.K. Blakemore (The Manningtree Witches, Granta) will discuss their experiences building their careers, developing their first manuscripts, finding an agent, and negotiating the world of publishing as debut novelists. Don’t miss the opportunity to pose your questions at the live Q&A session at the end of the discussion!

Eley Williams’ collection of short stories Attrib (Influx Press, 2017) was awarded the Republic of Consciousness Prize and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 2018. Her debut novel, The Liar’s Dictionary, was a national US bestseller and a Guardian Book of the Year.

Rebecca Watson is the author of little scratch, which was shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize and the Desmond Elliott Prize. She was one of The Observer’s 10 best debut novelists of 2021 and works part-time as Assistant Arts Editor at the Financial Times.

A. K. Blakemore is the author of two full-length collections of poetry, a translator of Sichuanese poet Yu Yoyo (My Tenantless Body, Poetry Translation Centre), and author of The Manningtree Witches (Granta), winner of the 2021 Desmond Elliott Prize, and shortlistee for the Costa Prize for Best First Novel.

In partnership with the Desmond Elliott Prize.