We are delighted that Jen Calleja has been invited to this year’s West Cork Literary Festival, where she will be appearing in conversation with Caitríona Lally on Saturday 11 July.

Jen Calleja and Caitríona Lally have written beautiful, thought-provoking but also humourous books about their lives as writers – how a writer should be, how class, economics and available supports affect who gets to be a writer and whether or not it is possible to make a living as an artist or writer. 

Fair:The Life-Art of Translation by Jen Calleja is a satirical, refreshing and brilliantly playful mix of memoir and autofiction about learning the art of translation, being a bookworker in the publishing industry, growing up, family, and class.  

Home Economics by Caitríona Lally is bold and thought-provoking, self-deprecating and soaked in Caitríona’s singular voice. This is her third book and first memoir and it tackles head on failure, class, economics and ideas of what a writer should be.