WIS Database of Writers
- Name
- Emma Cooke
- County
- Clare
- Genre
- Novelist, Short-Story writer
- Sessions
- Reading and Q&A, Creative Writing Workshop, Master Class
- Age Group
- 4 - 18
- Level
- Primary, Post Primary
- Languages
- Works in English ONLY
- Availability
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Mornings, Afternoons - Travel
- Yes
Publications/ repertoire/
productions & background experience
Novels: A Book of Tricks (Wynkin de Worde, 2004) Wedlocked (Poolbeg, 1994) Eve’s Apple (Blackstaff, 1985) A Single Sensation (Poolbeg, 1982)
Short Stories: Female Forms (Poolbeg, 1981)
Editor: Writers Abu (Prizewinning short stories) Published by Tipperary N. Co. Co. & the Arts Council,- 2001. The Mermaid’s Purse, (a selection of Kerry Haiku) published by Kerry Co. Co. & the Arts Council. 2004
Residencies: Tipperary N. Co. Co. 2000/2001
Kerry Co. Co. 2003/2004
Most recent workshops: Limerick Education Centre. Spring 2007. An Approach to Paper 1 (with Honours Leaving Cert. Students) Creative Writing for teachers. (6 sessions each)
Readings: Frank O’Connor Weekend, Cork. September, 2006.
Take me to the Island. Rathlin Literary Festival, 2006.
Session Details
In recent years I began using the haiku format when working with groups, especially primary school children. It opened up new avenues of creativity and was a way of teaching basic writing skills in a way that children found fun and easy to grasp. I now combine this with other exercises in creativity. I find any number between 12 to 25 to be the best to work with. I like an informal setting in which the participants can be broken up into groups and work as teams. An element of competition always helps to get pupils interested. I rely heavily on the teacher’s advice for the setting up of the session’s format.
Age Group Details
Writer in residence working with County Arts Offices involved giving workshops with primary & secondary levels. I enjoyed working with both.
Availability Details
I am generally available if not involved in an ongoing commitment such as a residency.
- Address
- Boru Lodge, Killaloe, Co. Clare
- Telephone
- (061) 376 689 / (087) 650 2320
- emmacooke@killaloe.ie
