Beyond Boundaries by Fighting Words, Dublin, Ireland

Fighting Word’s aim is to help children and young people, and adults who did not have this opportunity as children, to discover and harness the power of their own imaginations and creative writing skills. At its core, Fighting Words is also about something much broader and more inclusive. It is about using the creative practice of writing and storytelling to strengthen our children and teenagers – from a wide range of backgrounds – to be resilient, creative and successful shapers of their own lives.

Beyond Boundaries was launched on Wednesday 16th May 2018.

Twenty four transition year students from Manor House School, Raheny have been visiting Fighting Words each Tuesday, since September, to work on their short stories.

They drafted, redrafted, edited and completed the stories with encouragement from Fighting Words volunteers. After a lot of discussion they decided on the title of the book and worked with a designer on the cover, which was inspired by a drawing by one of the writers.

The students also organised the launch in their school which was a fantastic occasion. The students were joined by family, friends, school staff, Roddy Doyle, Sinéad Moriarty and the Fighting Words team to celebrate the publication of their book. 

It's a brilliant collection. In her introduction, Sinéad Moriarty writes

In a year where women have stood up, spoken out and no longer been afraid to call out bad behaviour, it’s lovely to see a short story compilation from a group of young, fresh-faced and talented girls. The stories cover a wide range of subject matters and plots that will make you sit up and pay attention. Some will move you to tears, others will make you laugh and some will make you gasp out loud.

Find more information on Fighting Words at their site here.