OUT OF THE QUIET 2027

Out of the Quiet invites submissions from older Irish gay men whose lives, histories, and imaginative work have often been overlooked. This 2027 anthology will feature short fiction and poetry rooted in lived experience — memory, identity, resilience, sexuality, ageing, displacement, community, loss, joy, and belonging.

Submissions close on 30 May 2027

The project will culminate in publication and a public reading event as part of the Kenmare Arts Festival, August 2027.

Submissions Now Open

Out of the Quiet: Queer Lives in Irish Writing

We invite Irish gay men aged 55 and over to submit short fiction and poetry for Out of the Quiet, an anthology celebrating voices too often left unheard.

Every life holds stories worth telling. We want to hear yours: the friendships, loves, losses, discoveries and everyday moments that have shaped your life and imagination. Whether you have published before or are sharing your writing for the first time, you are welcome to submit.

What we're looking for

We welcome original, unpublished work in the following categories:

Short fiction: 500-2,000 words.
Poetry: up to two poems, with a maximum of 30 lines per poem.
Contributors: Irish gay men aged 55 and over.

Themes might include ageing, belonging, loss, joy, family, desire, resilience, humour and love. These are starting points, not limits. Truthfulness and voice matter most.

Why this anthology matters

Much of our community's courage, friendship, humour and endurance has gone unrecorded. Out of the Quiet aims to honour that legacy while making room for new stories and imaginative work.

This is an opportunity to bring together distinct voices, experiences and perspectives in a book that bears witness to lives central to Ireland's story.

Selection and publication

Submissions will be judged anonymously. Our aim is to publish the anthology by August 2027, with a public reading at the Carnegie Arts Centre to mark its publication.

If you submitted in the previous round, your work remains securely on file and will be considered alongside new submissions. You are also welcome to revise your piece or submit something new.

How to submit

Visit kenmareartsfestival.com/out-of-the-quiet for submission guidelines and details of how to send your work.

Please help us reach people who might not otherwise hear about this opportunity. Share this call with friends, writing groups and community networks.

Your voice belongs in this conversation. We look forward to reading your work.