You Can Do It, Just John Hewitt
- smcnic
- Aug 3
- 3 min read
What a week, what a week!
As some of you may know, I was fortunate enough to be one of ten prose writers from across Ireland selected for the Freedom to Write Project 2025, which meant I had the incredible opportunity to attend the John Hewitt International Summer School in Armagh.
We kicked off last Sunday with a brilliant workshop led by the amazing Louise Nealon, focusing on influences and interests, and how to weave these into your writing. Louise, an award-winning writer and past winner of the Seán O’Faoláin Prize, is the author of Snowflake — which is now firmly on my TBR list!
On Monday, the John Hewitt International Summer School officially began — and my word, was it packed!
My fellow FTW writers and I were treated to a three-day workshop with Paul McVeigh (author of The Good Son), a writer I’ve long admired. To spend that time listening and learning from Paul was a real privilege — the insights he shared will stay with me for a long time. He is a gentleman to the last, and I’m so grateful for all I’ve learnt from him.
The week was bursting with events, workshops, readings, and discussions. You can find the full programme on the John Hewitt Society website, and to any budding writer: I highly recommend considering it next year.
The staff were warm and welcoming, the atmosphere was buzzing, and the whole week was marked by a genuine sense of joy and inclusivity.
The talent on display was phenomenal — from poetry to prose, history to politics — there was something for everyone.
Each speaker had a book signing after their event, with the brilliant No Alibis Bookstore on hand all week.
I met some of my favourite authors, and every one of them was generous and encouraging.
A highlight was seeing the incredible Jan Carson interview the one and only Donal Ryan — a packed-out event that had to be moved to a larger venue! I met them both afterward for a quick chat, selfie, and book signing — and they couldn’t have been kinder.
Another standout was Cauvery Madhavan’s talk — utterly enthralling. Her most recent novel, Inheritance, is next only my TBR, and now so will her entire back catalogue!
I was fortunate enough to bump into her in the foyer and I have to say, she is the loveliest of the lovely, a complete lady through and through, who sat down with me and chatted with me about life, writing and everything in between.
Wendy Erskine took to the stage on Thursday and — no surprise — blew everyone away. I’ve heard her speak before, but she continues to inspire and amaze. Her latest book, Benefactors, is what I’m currently listening to on Audible and I’m loving it.
Bernie McGill (author of This Train is For) hosted a fantastic conversation with Tessa Hadley (whose bibliography is too long to list!). It was an in-depth, rich discussion, and I walked away feeling deeply nourished by it. I’ve admired Bernie for years, so it was a real pleasure to meet her too — and yes, get the book signed!
There was so much more I haven’t even touched on — plays, poetry readings, musical performances — an absolute feast for the soul.
The week closed with a presentation ceremony, where each attendee received a certificate from Deputy Mayor Jessica Johnston.
And that was that — a whirlwind, a dream, over too soon.
Huge thanks to everyone at the John Hewitt Society. Pulling off something of this scale — with such warmth and care — is no small feat. From start to finish, the week was flawless, and I know my writing (and life!) is richer for it.
Massive thanks also to Niamh McNally and the Freedom to Write Project. Without you, I wouldn’t have been part of it at all.
The week brought our little group of writers even closer together, and I’m genuinely in awe of the talent I am surrounded by, and thankful to be sharing in whilst we’re on this journey.
To any writers reading this — follow both the John Hewitt Society and the Freedom to Write Project on social media. You’ll thank me later!
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