Novelist and author of the critically acclaimed Boys Don’t Cry, Fíona Scarlett has been appointed Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Limerick for the coming academic year.
Fíona’s debut novel Boys Don’t Cry was published by Faber & Faber in 2021 and was an instant Irish Times Bestseller. It was shortlisted for ‘Newcomer of the Year’ in the Irish Book Awards, and the Kate O’Brien first novel award.
The novel was also selected as NetGalley UK Literary Fiction book of the year.
Fíona will commence her post, as part of the UL Creative Writing programme, at the start of the new academic year in September. She joins a teaching team that includes Donal Ryan, Kit de Waal, Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, Emily Cullen, and Eoin Devereux.
Fíona, who is from Dublin but lives in Co Kildare, holds an MLitt in creative writing with distinction from the University of Glasgow, was awarded a Literature Bursary through the National Arts Council Ireland in 2021 and is currently completing her year as Writer in Residence at Maynooth University, in conjunction with Kildare Libraries and Art Services. Fíona is now working on her second novel.
“I am absolutely thrilled to have been appointed as Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Limerick,” said Fíona.
“What a privilege to be working alongside the renowned UL creative writing team, a faculty not only known for its talent and excellence, but for its compassion, empathy, and dedication to craft. I am incredibly excited for the year ahead, and especially looking forward to meeting with all the wonderful students and getting to know them and their work. What an honour that is.”
Commenting on the appointment, Director of the Creative Writing programme, Professor Sarah Moore Fitzgerald said: “Not only is Fíona Scarlett one of Ireland's most exciting new writers, she’s also a wonderful, insightful, and experienced teacher. Her creative reputation has been firmly established with the publication by Faber of her extraordinary debut, Boys Don’t Cry.
“She already has a warm connection with UL through her engagement with our Creative Writing Winter School. We are absolutely delighted she will be joining the UL Creative Writing team for the coming academic year where she’ll be sharing her ideas on practice and craft with our incoming MA classes and with our community of writers.”
Renowned author, Donal Ryan said he was “thrilled that Fíona is joining our team at UL. She is a natural teacher, generous, empathetic, and deeply engaged, and a wonderfully talented writer. We are very fortunate to be welcoming her into our creative community.”
Professor Eoin Devereux added: “The Creative Writing MA at UL will benefit hugely from Fíona Scarlett’s addition to our teaching team. Fíona is a highly accomplished author and a vastly experienced teacher. I am particularly looking forward to Fíona contributing to our module Creative Writers In The Community. I have seen, first hand, at our Winter School, Fíona’s abilities as an educator.”
Frank McCourt Chair of Creative Writing, Professor Joseph O’Connor, who is currently on a year-long sabbatical, said he was “absolutely delighted that Fíona has been appointed to the team at UL.”