dlr Writer in Residence 2016-2017

Sarah Webb is an award winning writer for both children and adults. She has written eleven bestselling novels for adults. Her books have been published in many different countries including the US, Australia, Poland, Italy and Indonesia. She has also written many children’s books, has contributed short stories to several collections and has compiled and edited three charity collections of her own.  Her ‘Ask Amy Green’ series has been shortlisted for the Queen of Teen Award and the Irish Book Awards. Her latest series for age 8+ is called The Songbird Café Girls.

Sarah worked in the book trade for many years as a children’s bookseller and buyer. She now combines writing with schools visits, reading and giving workshops at festivals, teaching creative writing and reviewing children’s books. She is also the Children’s Curator of the dlr Mountains to Sea Book Festival, Children’s Literary Advisor to Listowel Writers’ Week and in 2015 was awarded the Children’s Books Ireland Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children’s Books.

Throughout her term as writer in residence, Sarah will work on her new novel for children age 9+, a picture book and a children’s theatre script.

During her residency, Sarah will focus on encouraging and supporting children and teenagers’ creativity through reading and writing. She will also give advice and support to those who wish to write for children.

Sarah will programme events for families, children and teenagers including a Family Day and schools event inspired by the work of Roald Dahl to celebrate his centenary in September 2016.

Sarah will host book clubs for young readers and bring both new and established children’s writers to meet school and community groups through the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown libraries.  Sarah hopes to introduce a novel and vibrant series of ‘teen creative sessions’ to the LexIcon Lab that will include writing, journalism & blogging, illustration, as well as other topics such as social media where it is envisioned teenagers will curate and be intrinsically involved throughout.

Sarah will produce a monthly video blog with writing tips and interviews with children’s writers, making books come alive for young readers, their parents and teachers. dlr LexIcon will have an ‘Ask Sarah Webb’ area where young readers and writers, as well as parents, teachers and caregivers can place a question that Sarah will respond to and everyone can benefit from the display of questions and answers.

Sarah Webb invites submissions that she will consider incorporating into her residency from interested stakeholders, such as teaching staff, community centres, parents and children. Please forward via email to slynch@dlrcoco.ie before 31st July 2016.

dlr Libraries look forward to welcoming Sarah to the reader development and outreach team in June 2016.