Doughnuts and cigarettes or blindfold, earmuffs and earplugs? Writers can have odd ways of getting ready for their working day – or night. Gavin Corbett, Christine Dwyer Hickey, Henrietta McKervey, Thomas Morris and Paul Murray take us into their creative worlds

Irish Women Writers: ‘Novelist, short-story writer and playwright, as diverse and original a talent as one could hope to find’

Thirty-four authors have made the longlist for the inaugural Laureate for Irish Fiction

Seamus Heaney, John Banville and others are inspired by the National Gallery’s art in a new anthology

Deciding on a shape for your book can give you confidence and freedom

Review: Sophia Hillan’s first novel has its flaws, but it is also moving and memorable

Christine Dwyer Hickey’s daring first play has an earthly authenticity

First-time playwright Christine Dwyer Hickey feels ‘very exposed’ as opening night looms