Bestselling author Fíona Scarlett to join UL teaching staff

THE author of a 'bleak and tender' story, Fíona Scarlett, will be joining the teaching team of the creative writing programme at the University of Limerick.

With her debut novel, Boys Don't Cry, the writer touched on toxic masculinity and the legacy of family violence in the heart of working-class Dublin. Published by Faber&Faber in 2021, her novel was an instant Irish Times Bestseller

She will be joining UL for the academic year 2023-24, alongside renowned authors Donal Ryan, Eoin Devereux, Kit de Waal and Sarah Moore Fitzgerald.

Originally from Dublin, Fíona lives in Kildare. At the moment, she is working on her second novel. 

“I am absolutely thrilled to have been appointed as Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Limerick,” commented 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.”

Speaking of the good news, Frank McCourt Chair of Creative Writing at UL, Joseph O'Connor, commented: “She's not only an immensely gifted writer, although she is certainly that, as readers of 'Boys Don't Cry' will know, she's also a highly accomplished teacher of Creative Writing. Fiona joins our teaching team at an exciting moment. As Chair of Creative Writing, and on behalf of MA Course Director Prof Sarah Moore and our great colleagues Donal Ryan, Emily Cullen and Eoin Devereux, I welcome her, with heartfelt thanks and anticipation of great things.”

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.”