What To Do Today: Write On…

Write on … this month, it’s all about the writing festival. First up is the International Literature Festival Dublin, May 21-29, where you can hear Lionel Shriver – her latest tome, the mandibles (harpercollins, approx €16.50), is further proof the author has her finger constantly on the pulse when it comes to the doom of the western world; Chris Klaus , whose autobiographical novel, I love Dick, is widely regarded as one of the most important feminist novels; Irish writers Lucy Caldwell and Anakana Schofield; and Guardian journalist Decca Aitkenhead, whose memoir, All at Sea (4th estate, approx €22) is a touching tribute to her late husband, who drowned while saving their son, ilfdublin.com.

Then we have the Borris House Festival of Writing & Ideas in Carlow, June 10-12, where Sara Baume, Lisa Mcinerney, Claire Kilroy, Lia Mills, Sine?ad Gleeson and Olivia O’Leary ?will all take to the stage, festivalofwritingandideas.com.

All hail the written word.