The 32: An Anthology of Irish Working-Class Voices
By Paul McVeigh
16 published writers and 16 new voices write on their experience of being working class in Ireland.
About the book
We read because we want to experience lives and emotions beyond our own, to learn, to see with others’ eyes.
The 32 is a celebration of working-class voices from the island of Ireland. Edited by award-winning novelist Paul McVeigh, this intimate and illuminating collection features memoir and essays from established and emerging Irish voices including Kevin Barry, Dermot Bolger, Roddy Doyle, Lisa McInerney, Lyra McKee and many more.
Too often, working-class writers find that the hurdles they come up against are higher and harder to leap over than those faced by writers from more affluent backgrounds. As in Common People – an anthology of working-class writers edited by Kit de Waal and the inspiration behind this collection – The 32 sees writers who have made that leap reach back to give a helping hand to those coming up behind.
Without these working-class voices, without the vital reflection of real lives or role models for working-class readers and writers, literature will be poorer. We will all be poorer.
Hi. I am not sure if I should post this here or email unbound. I am in my 40s and I have lived in Ireland for 20 years. I actually just recently became an Irish citizen. However, I grew up in an English working-class background with no input from Irish influences. I am writing my memoirs at the moment and my friend knows this and suggested this competition to me. I am just wondering if I would be eligible to participate. Kind regards Jo
Hi Jo, Thank you for your interest. I'm sure you will understand that since writers of Irish origin resident in other countries are not eligible, it would not be fair to accept submissions from writers from other countries who are resident in Ireland, so no, I'm afraid you are not eligible. If you have any further questions, please contact us by email on the32@unbound.co.uk. Good luck with your memoirs.
Ah nooo, so disappointed that you're not accepting submissions from Irish people abroad. I've been waiting for submissions to open. Working-class people are more likely to emigrate due to economic conditions too, so offer another perspective on it. Maybe, there's scope for an anthology of diaspora voices, at some point. Good luck to everyone that's submitting!
We are sorry, Sarah, but the point of this anthology is specifically to give a platform to working class writers in Ireland itself. An anthology of diaspora voices is a good idea though! If you have any further queries please contact us by email: the32@unbound.co.uk.
I self published a book through Amazon does this exclude me? Just to add this is great to see, working class Ireland especially poor working class areas get completely over looked for writing talent.
Hi Setanta, thank you for your interest. I'm afraid that self-publishing does count as being published, so you aren't eligible. You seem to be doing a good job on your own though. 100% five star reviews for your novel THE SHOWDOWN is no mean feat. Good luck with your future work.
Hiya, wondering if I am eligible, I have published a book or two for work, nothing creative, I am now working on a memoir - can I submit? I am otherwise eligible, I think.
Hi Marie, thank you for your interest. I'm afraid that having published a book, or indeed two, does render you ineligible to submit for this project. If you have any further questions, do please get in touch via email: the32@unbound.co.uk
Hello, I would like to give the signed copy of this work I subscribed too as a present to somebody else. Therefore I would like to know if my name will be quoted in the signature. Thank you.
Hi Markus, The books won't be personally dedicated when they're signed, but if you want to you can add your friend's name to the supporter list which gets printed in the book. There's more details on how to do that here: http://help.unbound.com/en/articles/3159741-changing-the-supporter-name-that-s-printed-in-a-book. I hope this helps. Unbound Support