I am delighted and honoured that the Arts Council of Northern Ireland has given me a grant from the General Art Award Scheme (National Lottery funded) under the Support for the Individual Artist Programme. This will contribute towards the costs of completing a draft of my first novel. Ironically, I received word of the award, just as my prose writing group were meeting. These folks (you know who you are!) have been such an important support and inspiration to me as I have been writing this novel, that it felt only right that they were among the first to know and to share the good news with.

I would also especially like to thank Damian Smyth, Head of Literature and Drama, for the consideration given to my application, and ACNI’s generosity and support, especially in these straitened and uncertain times. It will make a real difference to me and to my novel.