Reading the Future

All profits go to the Hodges Figgis Emerging Irish Writer Bursary Hodges Figgis – one of the world’s great bookshops – has for 250 years served the literary community of Dublin. Reading the Future: New Writing from Ireland is a celebration of that cherished relationship. Over 720 pages, the volume features work by 250 contemporary Irish writers (fiction, poetry, drama, Irish language, crime, young adult and children’s writing, alongside a wealth of archival images), making it the largest-ever anthology of new Irish writing. Editor Alan Hayes – together with the staff of Hodges Figgis, providing their work, time and skills gratis – presents a stunning assembly of voices, including work from Donal Ryan, Medbh McGuckian, Maeve Binchy and a chapter from JP Donleavy’s final novel. The cover artist is Pauline Bewick.