Waterford talent shines among star-studded shortlist for 2025 An Post Irish Book Awards
Local Waterford writers among Ireland's top literary talents ahead of this month's ceremony
Waterford talent is set to take centre stage in the 2025 An Post Irish Book Awards, with several local authors and illustrators shortlisted among Ireland's best.
Those representing Waterford on the national stage include Rose Keating, John Burke, Sarah Bowie, and Joanne McCarthy - all recognised across a range of categories celebrating the very best of Irish writing.
Now in its 20th year, the An Post Irish Book Awards continue to champion Irish creativity, bringing together readers, writers, publishers and booksellers to celebrate the country's top literary achievements.
The awards feature 19 categories including Novel of the Year, Biography, Children's, Lifestyle, Crime Fiction and Poetry, with the winners set to be announced at a ceremony in the Convention Centre Dublin on Thursday, November 27.
Local author Rose Keating is shortlisted in the Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year category for Oddbody, while Joanne McCarthy is among the finalists for the New Irish Writing Best Poetry Award for her poems Minimum Wage, South-Eastern Wind and Midnight Oil.
Illustrator Sarah Bowie, based in Waterford, is nominated in the Children's Book of the Year – Senior category for her work on Nina Peanut Epic World Tour Era, while John Burke is shortlisted in the Children's Book of the Year – Senior category for Animalopedia, created with co-author Kathi Burke.
Public voting is now open on anpostirishbookawards.ie/vote until Sunday, November 16, giving readers a chance to help decide this year's winners. All voters will be entered into a draw to win one of five €100 National Book Token vouchers.
A one-hour special hosted by Oliver Callan will air on RTÉ One on Thursday, December 11, revealing the overall An Post Irish Book of the Year 2025 winner.
Chairperson Larry Mac Hale said the shortlist "once again highlights the extraordinary breadth and depth of talent among Irish writers", while An Post's Debbie Byrne praised the list as "a celebration of imagination, bold ideas and the richness of Irish literature that speaks to every kind of reader".
Waterford readers will be keeping a close eye on the ceremony later this month and cheering on their local stars.