That Killer First page

Paul McVeigh is an award-winning novelist who also reviews and interviews for the Irish Times. He is associate director at Word Factory, the UK's national organisation for excellnce in the short story, and co-founder of the Lodnon Short Story Festival.

Paul McVeigh

You’ll find out what competition judges and journal editors look for in a short story and how to avoid the rejection pile. You’ll write a short piece and get feedback on that crucial story opening. In a form where every word counts, get tips on staying focused on your story and where to start the action. You’ll also look at submission opportunities; how to find them and where you should be sending your stories.
Focus: How to get the attention of competition judges and editors Writing fiction with emotional impact  Writing that killer first page  How to edit your story  Where to send your work
Paul McVeigh is a judge for short story competitions and international literary prizes including, in 2018, the Sean O'Faolain Prize, the Edge Hill Prize and the £30,000 International Dylan Thomas Prize. He is also the current fiction editor at Southword Journal and was recently made an ambassador for the BBC National Short Story Award.
Paul McVeigh’s short fiction has been published in anthologies and journals inc. The Stinging Fly and Faber's 'Modern Irish Writing'. Stories have been commissioned by BBC Radio 3, 4 &amp; 5 and Sky Arts TV. He was shortlisted for Irish Short Story of the Year 2017 at the Irish Book Awards. His short story blog shares writing opportunities and advice and gets 40,000 hits a month and has had over 2 million views. He's interviewed short story masters like Kevin Barry, Elizabeth McCracken and George Saunders for The Irish Times. Paul co-founded the London Short Story Festival and is Associate Director at Word Factory, the UK’s national centre for excellence in the short story. This event sold out in Adelaide, Bali, Bath, Belfast, Cork, Galway, Kuala Lumpur, Lancaster, London, Melbourne &amp; Singapore.      
Reviews of this class                                                                                     
"I emerged from the sleepy hamlet of my writing infancy last Saturday and was sky-rocketed, hurricaned, tsunamied, autobahned and g-forced out of my head by Paul McVeigh's "That Killer First Page" Masterclass at Waterstones, Piccadilly. He's on top of his game, gives instinctive, constructive criticism and in a few short hours, had conveyed the essence of how to make a story compelling and unputdownable from the first few lines. Get on one of his courses if you can."
Reviews for his short stories: "Beautiful and very moving." Booker shortlisted Alison Moore "How moving and stunning that story is. It's so raw and incredibly human." Costa shortlisted Jess Richards "(one of) Ireland's most exciting and talented writers.  Incredibly moving; poignant but utterly real, funny and beautifully observant." BBC Radio 4 "Paul McVeigh’s story stands out. Funny, moving, poignant. Brilliant.” Metro Newspaper
Paul's debut novel The Good Son' won 2 awards and was shortlisted for a further 5.
'A work of genius...' Pulitzer Prize-winning Robert Olen Butler
“Both dancing and disquieting, complex and vivid, I devoured it in a day, but I’ve thought about it for many, many more.” Bailey Prize-winner Lisa McInerney The Glorious Heresies                                       '
'A triumph of storytelling. An absolute gem.' Donal Ryan
Places are limited to 15
FOR CONCESSIONS PLEASE EMAIL: paulmcveighwriter@live.co.uk
Brooks are offering a special lunch deal - two tapas plus a glass of house wine at €18.50 per person.

Brooks Hotel

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}

That Killer First page

More upcoming events from Paul McVeigh

Discover more upcoming events from Paul McVeigh, from Film & Media to other experiences you might love.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in Dublin and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.

That Killer First page

More upcoming events from Paul McVeigh

Discover more upcoming events from Paul McVeigh, from Film & Media to other experiences you might love.

More Film & Media events

Browse more Film & Media events with different dates, prices, and formats to find your next great experience.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in Dublin and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.