by Writing Workshops Staff
A month ago
When seasoned author Mary Beth Sammons arrived in Dublin for our 2025 Writing Workshop with Tawny Lara, Christine Pride, and Alyssa Songsiridej, she carried with her the weight of a deeply personal manuscript and decades of writing experience. What she discovered in Ireland's literary capital wasn't just craft refinement—it was creative liberation.
A Literary Mission Becomes a Creative Revolution
Mary Beth Sammons, author of 12 nonfiction books, recently shared her transformative experience at our Dublin Writers' Workshop in a glowing post-trip reflection that captures exactly why writers from around the world choose Dublin for their creative breakthrough.
Mary Beth's mission was clear: advance her newest book-in-progress toward a publishing deal. Her manuscript, Who Cares? Stories and Strategies from the Front Lines of Unexpected Elder Care blends memoir with practical guidance, chronicling her journey caring for her Aunt Dorothy, an elderly woman with long-undiagnosed mental illness.
What began as a deeply personal writing project became transformative when Mary Beth joined our intimate cohort of 10 incredible nonfiction writers. They worked alongside best-selling authors and publishing industry veterans in the heart of literary Dublin.
The Power of "Writing Bad" in Dublin's Literary Landscape
The breakthrough moment came through an unexpected piece of wisdom from instructor Tawny Lara, author of Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating, and Hooking Up Without the Booze and co-host of the Recovery Rocks podcast. "Let yourself write bad," became the workshop mantra that completely changed Mary Beth's approach to writing.
As Mary Beth reflects: "That advice (inspired by poet Ruth Danon), completely changed my approach to writing. It gave me permission to get words on the page and out of my head."
This philosophy echoes Anne Lamott's renowned advice about embracing "shitty first drafts"—and there's something magical about discovering this freedom in Dublin, the city cleaved by the River Liffey where three bridges are named for writing greats James Joyce, Sean O'Casey and Samuel Beckett.
Why Dublin? Why Our Workshop?
Our Dublin Writing Workshop isn't just another retreat—it's a carefully crafted experience designed for serious writers ready to take their craft to the next level. Since 2016, our mission has been clear: bring your writing out of the wilderness and into community, and there's no better place for this transformation than Dublin's literary landscape.
What sets our workshop apart:
- Intimate cohorts of no more than 10 writers per genre (fiction and nonfiction)
- Expert faculty including accomplished authors and publishing professionals
- Comprehensive feedback on two writing submissions with both group workshops and one-on-one conferences
- Literary immersion through Dublin's historic pubs, walking tours, and cultural experiences
- Community building with fellow writers who become lifelong creative companions
A Week That Transforms Writers
Mary Beth's experience exemplifies what makes our Dublin workshop extraordinary. Her cohort included what she dubbed "narrative practitioner soulmates"—a writer/parent chronicling her daughter's cancer journey, a physician assistant writing about end-of-life experiences with marginalized populations, and a female physician exploring emotional wellness.
This diversity creates the perfect workshop environment where writers can explore everything from estrangement and pet grief to complex family dynamics and social commentary, offering vital feedback throughout the writing process.
Our carefully designed schedule balances intensive writing work with Dublin's cultural treasures:
- Morning workshops led by accomplished faculty
- Afternoon activities including literary pub crawls, historical walking tours, and visits to stunning coastal Howth
- Evening gatherings culminating in our signature One Page Salon where writers share their work
- Comfortable accommodations at the sustainable 4-star Iveagh Garden Hotel in the heart of Dublin
From Workshop to Publication: A Pathway Forward
For writers like Mary Beth, our workshop provides more than craft development—it offers a clear pathway toward publication. Our faculty brings real-world publishing experience, helping writers understand not just the "how" of great writing, but the "what next" of bringing work to readers.
Mary Beth arrived hoping her book could "serve as a resource for caregivers navigating the many facets of elder care" and left with renewed confidence in both her vision and her voice.
Your Dublin Writing Journey Awaits
Reading Mary Beth's full reflection on her Dublin experience, it's clear that our workshop offers something special: the perfect combination of rigorous craft instruction, supportive community, and creative inspiration that only comes from writing in one of the world's great literary cities.
Ready to transform your writing?
Applications for our 2026 Dublin Writing Workshop will open soon. Whether you're working on your first book or your fifteenth, whether you write fiction or nonfiction, our Dublin workshop provides the intensive, supportive environment serious writers need to take their craft—and their publishing goals—to the next level.
Join our growing community of Dublin workshop alumni who've discovered the transformative power of giving themselves permission to "write bad" in order to write brilliantly.
Workshop Highlights:
- Dates: May 3rd - 8th, 2026
- Location: Historic Dublin, Ireland
- Accommodations: Iveagh Garden Hotel
- Cost: $3,495 (includes accommodation, breakfast, workshops, and activities)
- Optional add-on: 3-day Southwest Ireland extension
Applications open soon. Payment plans are available. Join our mailing list to be notified when applications launch for 2026.
Ready to follow in Mary Beth's footsteps? Contact us to learn more about our Dublin Writing Workshop and discover how "writing bad" in Ireland's literary capital might just be the key to unlocking your best work yet.
