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The Stinging Fly

@stingingfly.bsky.social
2.2K followers 30 following 234 posts

Literary magazine established in 1997 to publish & promote the very best new Irish and international writing. Stinging Fly Press was launched in 2005. Summer 2026 Issue #54 available to buy now: stingingfly.org/product/summer-2026

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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Autumn has arrived 🍁 and with it our first poetry craft seminar as part of our Second Tuesday Series ✨️ Sinéad was interviewed by Declan Meade in September 2002 following the publication of her 2nd poetry collection Between Here and There (2002) Read the interview: stingingfly.org/product/writ...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
NEW PODCAST 🎧 Our host Nicole is joined by Susannah Dickey to discuss her story ‘Diplomats’ published in Issue 54 Nicole and Susannah discuss rivalry & jealousy in female friendships (—), the British Empire as enemy & the pleasure of writing characters in their 20's stingingfly.org/podcast/susa...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
This Friday, we're excited to take part in @culturenightdub.bsky.social edition of We Love Markets Along with our books, mags and tote bags, the market features over 60 stalls of local Irish design, vintage clothing, crafts, food & live DJ 📍@thedigitalhub.bsky.social ♿️wheelchair accessible ⏰4-9PM
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
We are delighted to offer an online craft seminar with Sinéad Morrissey entitled Writing from the Inside: On Immediacy of Poetic Address. The seminar will run on Tuesday 13th October from 7pm to 8.30pm, online via Zoom. Tickets now on sale: stingingfly.org/product/writ...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
We are delighted with the news that Nicole Flattery has been awarded the 2026 Rooney Prize for Irish Literature ✨️ Huge congratulations to Nicole! Her debut short-story collection Show Them a Good Time was published in 2019 by The Stinging Fly Press. stingingfly.org/product/show...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Kristen Poli reviews Sugartown by Caragh Maxwell and Thirst Trap by Gráinne O'Hare “Thirst Trap and Sugartown are memorable, sharp, realist novels about young Irish womanhood, and both authors have drawn comparisons to Sally Rooney, Dolly Alderton, and Lena Dunham.” stingingfly.org/review/sugar...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
NEW FICTION Izzie Glover ‘I, me, Sonny‘🏇 ”I know from the caravan beforehand that the villain wears more make-up than the maiden. Black pencil and they’ll twist the edges of your moustache, if you have one. To look grotesque and merciless, they said, it’s important.” stingingfly.org/2026/09/09/i...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Second Tuesday Series with Claire Kilroy 🌸🌸🌸 Our Second Tuesday Series returns with an in-conversation event between novelist, Claire Kilroy and our publisher Declan Meade on Tuesday September 8th from 7pm to 8.15pm. stingingfly.org/product/seco...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
NEW PODCAST 🎧 Our poetry editor Annemarie Ní Churreáin is joined by Róisín Leggett Bohan, featured poet Summer 2026 issue, to read and discuss her work. Annemarie & Róisín discuss the promise they find in poetry - and how ‘body-popping’ relates to the poetic line💃 stingingfly.org/podcast/rois...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Against the backdrop of tension and uncertainty in Afghanistan, Maryam describes her courtyard to Nadifa - the sparrows, her fruit trees and the call to prayer. stingingfly.org/bliss-in-mom...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Our Writers Showcase event takes place tomorrow at Kilkenny Arts Festival 🏰🍃 kilkennyarts.ie/festival/pro... Recent magazine contributors Grace Wilentz, Sam Furlong, and Rituals author Danielle McLaughlin will join Declan Meade in conversation, read from their work & discuss their writing process✨
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
In the next two letters between Nadifa Mohamed and Maryam Mahjoba, exchanged earlier this year, the writers reflect on how they feel connected, despite the distance between them—Nadifa writes from her home in London to Maryam in Kabul—and the fact they’ve never met. stingingfly.org/a-taut-strin...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Did you catch @wednesdayerskin.bsky.social on @secondcaptains.bsky.social? ⚽️ The award-winning novelist & short-story writer discussed ‘Prosinečki’, a story & film by Adrian Duncan taken from our Summer 2018 magazine issue, her own writing & family life✒️ Listen here 🎧 www.rte.ie/radio/podcas...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Always a treat seeing our Winter Issue in the wild! I'm glad those dog-like creatures in Robert Ryan's painting ‘The Conversation' have ended up safe in your home🐕🏝️ stingingfly.org/product/wint...
stingingfly.org
Winter 2025-26 – The Stinging Fly
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
NEW on our website this week, ‘Letters Across The Mountains’, a three-part letter exchange between Maryam Mahjoba, a young Afghan fiction writer living in Kabul, and the Somali British novelist, Nadifa Mohamed, living in London. stingingfly.org/2026/08/12/l...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
NEW our website: A short story by Órfhlaith Foyle, ‘The Other Poet Drives a Black Mercedes’: “Cows turn their big faces, and I am afraid of how life goes on until we die. All those dead tucked into the ground as the ancient Mercedes purrs by.” Read the full story🍐 stingingfly.org/2026/08/06/t...
stingingfly.org
The Other Poet Drives a Black Mercedes – The Stinging Fly
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Amanda Hill @roguepi.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
I was lucky enough to attend the Summer School for the fiction workshop led by Cathy Sweeney. An amazing and exhausting week. Fantastic workshops and afternoon talks. The back of my head features below :)
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Centre for Place Writing @centreplacewriting.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Supriya Kaur Dhaliwal has new work published in the summer edition of @stingingfly.bsky.social stingingfly.org/product/summ... @supriyadhaliwal.bsky.social
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Come say hi to us at We Love Markets this Sunday at The Digital Hub 🌞 The July edition of the market is part of the amazing Liberties Festival, one of the oldest community festivals in Ireland🎉 What to expect: books and magazines📚 hot food🍲 live DJ🎧 Container Coffee Dublin☕ See you there!
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Our Summer School just wrapped up🌞🎊 We hope all the writers who attended had a productive & enjoyable experience🌸🌟 If you are looking for an opportunity to dedicate more time to your fiction project, our 6-Month Fiction Workshops are open for applications for 1 week stingingfly.org/6-month-work...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
NEW on our website: A short story by Max Lury, ‘The Milgrams’ “We resented the fact that she thought we would be impressed by Doug. And we also resented that we were, maybe, impressed by Doug.” Read the full story stingingfly.org/2026/07/16/t...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
We heartily congratulate Tara Bergin on being shortlisted for the 2026 Forward Prize for Poetry, in the category: Best Single Poem—Written 🏆 Tara's poem was one of two published in Issue 52, Summer 2025. order your copy of the Summer 2025 issue📚 stingingfly.org/product/summ...
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'That fainting couch' @culturalfatwa.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Can be got physically in a few places ime books upstairs tho tend to dissappear fairly quickly!
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June Caldwell @junec.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Brilliant conversation with Tom Morris & Nicole Flattery on @stingingfly.bsky.social podcast about the small mortifications in a writing career, relentless rejection, the idea of career progression (or lack of), associated anxieties, process or practice, loneliness. stingingfly.org/podcast/tom-...
stingingfly.org
Thomas Morris – The Stinging Fly
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TheBookshop.ie @thebookshopie.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
All three books shortlisted for the @irishinstitute.bsky.social John McGahern Prize at €8 each - while stocks last! Every One Still Here from Liadán Ní Chuinn @stingingfly.bsky.social Frogs For Watchdogs @newislandbooks.bsky.social and Water in the Night, Fire in the Desert @tramppress.bsky.social
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Just over a week to apply for the 6-month fiction workshops 📬 Workshop Leaders 2026/27: Cathy Sweeney, Colin Barrett, Jan Carson, Mary Morrissy, Roisín O'Donnell & Danielle McLaughlin✨ 4 free places available thanks to Arts Council & our Friends/donors💚 stingingfly.org/6-month-work...
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Catherine Kay @catherinekay.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
I very much enjoyed participating in an @stingingfly.bsky.social Summer School this week. Lots of great feedback and advice from #DanielleMcLaughlin - and lovely fellow participants- many thanks to all involved 😊
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
NEW PODCAST Thomas Morris joins host Nicole to read from & discuss his story ‘Notes on Contributors’, in Issue 54 The Stinging Fly magazine They talk about how writers discuss their writing routine and about the benefit of maintaining mystery and ambiguity in writing stingingfly.org/podcast/tom-...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
We are thrilled to see that Every One Still Here by Liadan Ní Chuinn on the shortlist for the John McGahern Annual Book Prize, awarded for the best debut novel or short story collection by an Irish writer or writer resident in Ireland published last year Buy the book stingingfly.org/product/ever...
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Irish Studies@LivUni @irishinstitute.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Delighted to announce the shortlist for our Annual John McGahern Book Prize Congratulations to ✒️ Gethan Dick ✒️ Seán Farrell ✒️ Liadan Ní Chuinn More on the shortlist in @irishtimes.com: www.irishtimes.com/culture/book... @tramppress.bsky.social @newislandbooks.bsky.social @stingingfly.bsky.social
irishtimes.com
John McGahern Annual Book Prize shortlist celebrates best Irish debuts
Three books in running for £5,000 John McGahern Annual Book Prize judged by Colm Tóibín
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
TWO MORE WEEKS TO APPLY ✒️ We are offering four 6-month fiction workshops this year Deadline: Thursday July 23rd, 5pm (Irish Time) The 2026-27 workshops will be led by Cathy Sweeney, Colin Barrett, Jan Carson, Mary Morrissy, Danielle McLaughlin & Roisín O’Donnell stingingfly.org/6-month-work...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
30% OFF FOR THE NEXT FIVE DAYS ONLY🌞📚🏖️ Kick off your summer reading with our new offer, for a limited time only. Get 30% off any book or magazine until Tuesday 30th June ⏰ Use the code Summer_Reading_2026 at checkout🛒 stingingfly.org/shop/
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
ONE WEEK LEFT TO ENJOY OUR SUMMER READING OFFER🌞🌞🌞⛱️⛱️⛱️🌅🌅🌅📚📚📚 Our books & magazines are the perfect companion for a day at the beach or lounging by the pool🏖️ Get 20% off any book or magazine until Tuesday 30th June. Use the code Summer_Reading_2026 at checkout stingingfly.org/shop/
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
We're delighted to see this news! 🎉 Liadan Ní Chuinn's short story ‘Amalur’ is the 2026 winner of the ALCS Tom Gallon Trust Award 🏆 ‘Amalur’ is from Liadan's debut story collection, Every One Still Here, published in 2025 by The Stinging Fly Press. Get your copy stingingfly.org/product/ever...
stingingfly.org
Every One Still Here – The Stinging Fly
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
There's less than a week to go until the unique collaborative event between The Stinging Fly x @bansheepress.bsky.social at @corkmidsummer.bsky.social on Saturday, 20th June🎊🌞 In the meantime, lets meet the four writers who will be sharing new writing in response to Seán Mac Erlaine's music 🎤🎵
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
The 2026 Irish Writers Centre New Writing Prize is now open @irishwriterscentre.bsky.social The aim of the award each year is to discover, promote and encourage the talents of new, undiscovered voices in Irish writing. Deadline: Tuesday 30 June, 5pm. Apply Here: stingingfly.org/news/the-iri...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Need some great holiday reads? Our summer reading offer continues for the rest of June so you can stock up on our books & magazines for your summer holiday 🌞 Get 20% off any book or magazine until Tuesday 30th June ✨ Use the code Summer_Reading_2026 at checkout📚 stingingfly.org/shop/
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
An excellent read for the weekend✨ Dane Holt's new short story 'Nor in Deep' ‘He brings his bottom lip over his top lip and makes it touch his small nose. It makes him look older somehow and like he’s disappointed in me.’ Read the full story: stingingfly.org/2026/06/04/n...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Gustav Parker Hibbett reviews Salvage: Readings from the Wreck by Dionne Brand @fsgbooks.bsky.social “Salvage is no exception. It arrives—meticulously, tenderly, wryly—to address a dishonesty, a bad-faith elision in Euro-America’s relationship to its own literature.” stingingfly.org/review/salva...
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Banshee Press @bansheepress.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
We're excited to collab with @stingingfly.bsky.social at @corkmidsummer.bsky.social! Join us on Saturday 20 June at the Granary Theatre @ucc.ie for The Music of What Happens feat. Seán Mac Erlaine, Mary Dunne, Chetna Maroo, Thomas Morris and Billy Ramsell: www.corkmidsummer.com/whats-on/the...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
NEW | Gustav Parker Hibbett reviews Salvage: Readings from the Wreck by Dionne Brand. "Part of the joy Salvage gives me is in Brand’s centring of the perspective of a ‘reader like [her]’, which returns me to the making of my own reading self." Read the full review: stingingfly.org/review/salva...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
ONE WEEK TO GO until submissions open for the New Writing Prize⏰ stingingfly.org/news/the-iri...
stingingfly.org
The Irish Writers Centre New Writing Prize 2026 in association with The Stinging Fly – The Stinging Fly
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
It's the perfect time to start stocking up for your summer reading needs 🌞✨ Use the coupon code on our website: Summer_Reading_2026 Offer ends on Tuesday 30th June stingingfly.org/shop/
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
The Stinging Fly & @bansheepress.bsky.social are going to @corkmidsummer.bsky.social 🎉 Join us for ‘The Music of What Happens’: a unique call-and-response exploration of the imaginative boundaries between writing and music, and the act of creativity itself www.corkmidsummer.com/whats-on/the...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
There are just five days left to register for the next event in our Second Tuesday Series🦋 The series is intended to offer writers a space to gather, share their experiences, and learn from one another 🌸 Register for free: stingingfly.org/news/second-...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
NEW FICTION | 'Nor in Deep' by Dane Holt is now available on our website ‘Once, when Jenny called me from the hospital I stood there listening to the sounds of the A&E department behind her—the different frequencies of beep—and felt the most relaxed I’d ever felt.' stingingfly.org/2026/06/04/n...
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The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
It's the perfect time to start stocking up for your summer reading needs 🌞✨ Use the coupon code on our website: Summer_Reading_2026 Offer ends on Tuesday 30th June stingingfly.org/shop/
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Susan Lanigan @susanlanigan.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Oh and fair play to @stingingfly.bsky.social - I ordered Rituals by Danielle McLaughlin from them and shipping is free on the island of Ireland. Good stuff 👍
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Susan Lanigan @susanlanigan.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Reading Rituals by Danielle McLaughlin on the train into the office on a sunny morning and thoroughly enjoying it. And that cover! @stingingfly.bsky.social
Cover of Rituals by Danielle McLaughlin, a montage of artwork and sketches put together to make a book cover with the title in serif font in the middle
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Irish Writers Centre @irishwriterscentre.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Opening Tuesday June 16th... We're thrilled to announce the second year of our New Writing Prize in association with our friends at @stingingfly.bsky.social! For all the info you need, check out our site: irishwriterscentre.ie/opportunitie...
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