Loose Leaves

BOOKER BOOKIES:Even if you think the Man Booker longlist is just a marketing wheeze and that the real business of the prize begins only when the shortlist is announced, the whittling down of 13 to six does at least create a stir.

The shock of this week's list – the shortlist was announced on Tuesday – was that Alan Hollinghurst's The Stranger's Child, seen on beaches everywhere during the summer, didn't make the cut. The day before the announcement, the bookmaker William Hill had him second favourite to win. The favourite was Julian Barnes for his slim volume The Sense of An Ending. Barnes has been shortlisted three times but has never bagged the top prize. On the home front, the big disappointment was that Sebastian Barry's On Canaan's Side, also a hot favourite with the bookies (and reviewers), didn't make the final six.

It was a bad day too for the big publishing houses, with four books coming from smaller, independent publishers: Jamrach's Menagerie(Canongate), The Sisters Brothers(Granta), Half Blood Blues(Serpent's Tail) and Snowdrops(Atlantic).

Kavanagh celebration

Paul Durcan will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Patrick Kavanagh Weekend. The event is usually held in November, but the miserable weather the past couple of years has prompted the organisers to bring it forward to September 30th-October 2nd in the hope of more favourable conditions.

The changed date is not a bad idea, as the programme incorporates several open-air events, including a conducted walking tour of the Patrick Kavanagh Literary Trail in Carrickmacross on the Saturday, and on Sunday the annual graveside commemoration. The winner of the 41st annual Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award will also be announced.

The best bookseller

Retail is in the doldrums and bookshops face a tougher-than-ever challenge, which makes the new category in this year’s Bord Gáis-sponsored Irish Book Awards worth supporting. From Monday, the public will be invited to vote for their favourite bookshop on bordgaisenergybookclub.ie. It’s a chance to acknowledge that special bookseller who always recommends the perfect read or the one who makes their shop particularly warm and welcoming.

Apart from the glory, the winning bookshop will get €5,000 worth of free electricity, while two voters will win €1,000 of free electricity. The Irish Book Awards take place in Dublin on November 17th.

Can writing be taught?

Writing courses are the big growth industry, from low-key, free evening classes to full-on and full-time master’s courses. The MPhil in creative writing at Trinity College was introduced 12 years ago, and creative writing is taught in least six third-level colleges. All of which raises thorny questions; starting with the basic, “Can you actually teach someone to write?”

A top line-up of academics and writers will tackle this hoary old subject in the Royal Irish Academy's annual symposium, which takes place on Friday, October 7th, in the academy's Dawson Street premises. Speakers include Gerald Dawe, Frank McGuinness, Sinéad Morrissey, Carlo Gébler and Mary Morrissy, whose talk Grading Creativity. A Contradiction in Termsgets to the heart of the matter. The day-long event costs €10. Register at ria.ie.