Claire Hennessy is a writer, editor, and creative writing teacher from Dublin. She has published twelve books for older children and young adults, and also writes short fiction for adults. She is co-director of Big Smoke.
A highly experienced facilitator, Nicole Rourke trained in theatre and workshop facilitation in the Middle East. Her work has received critical acclaim at festivals in Dublin, London, Edinburgh, Israel, Poland and Singapore. She is also co-director of Big Smoke.
Jessica Traynor is Literary Manager for the Abbey Theatre. Her debut collection of poetry, Liffey Swim, was published by Dedalus Press in 2014 and is nominated for the Shine/Strong Award 2015. She has taught poetry and beginners classes at Big Smoke.
Mia Gallagher is the award-winning author of HellFire as well as a number of short stories and other pieces. She has facilitated workshops in writing, performance and storytelling since 1997.
Winner of the 2014 Independent Literary Industry Award for Best Editor, John Kenny is a freelance writer, editor and creative writing tutor with many published short stories.
Paula McGrath is the author of novels GENERATION (2015) and A HISTORY OF RUNNING AWAY (2017). She is currently working towards a PhD at the University of Limerick and teaches both online and evening courses at Big Smoke.
Dave Lordan is a writer, speaker and educator whose recent projects include his poetry collection The Lost Tribe of The Wicklow Mountains (Salmon, 2014) and the Young Irelanders Anthology of New Irish Fiction (New Island, 2015).
Eimear Ryan is an award-winning short story writer based in Cork. She tutors on the Big Smoke online courses.
Michelle Read is a playwright, theatre-maker and dramaturge who has worked in theatre in Ireland since 1991. Her writing awards include the Hugh Leonard Bursary, the Eamon Keane Full-Length Play Award, the Stewart Parker/BBC Northern Ireland Drama, and a Fringe First. Michelle teaches beginners’ and playwriting classes at Big Smoke.
E.R. Murray writes for children and young adults, and teaches on our online courses.
Simon Forsyth is a lecturer and counsellor.