Raising Voices Showcase

Raising Voices is a programme run by Children’s Books Ireland, Dublin Book Festival, Publishing Ireland, Illustrators Ireland, West Cork Literary Festival and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre. It aims to develop and support aspiring artists, making work for children and young adults, whose voices have been underrepresented in literature; breaking down barriers to publication, progression and inclusion, and increasing diversity and representation in the Irish literature sector. Join us for a showcase evening of new work by the 2026 Fellows, Czacarri Muli, Grace Haynes, Ilona Lo Iacono, Mari Rolin, Nora Corcoran and Sarah Little.

While this event is free, by making one of your tickets a ‘Supporter’s Ticket‘ you will be making a valuable contribution towards keeping future events accessible and towards the sustainable growth of Dublin Book Festival.

Please note we may be capturing candid imagery at this event for use on our social media and website.

Nora Corcoran is a children’s author, poet, and academic whose work is inspired by her rich Traveller heritage. Through her writing, she preserves and celebrates the traditions and culture of the Traveller community, helping ensure they are carried forward for future generations.

Grace Haynes is a neurodivergent dyslexic illustrator based in Cork. She holds a BA (Hons) in Illustration from Ulster University. Her practice explores Ireland’s indigenous ecosystems, rooted in sustainable methodologies and material research. Her art celebrates the natural world.

Sarah Little is a writer and artist from West Fermanagh. She spent her childhood and teens wrapped up in reading and telling stories, and there discovered her dream of becoming an author. has spent the past six years developing her young adult romance novel, with a speculative twist exploring themes of identity, art, and reality.

Ilona Lo Iacono was born in Australia, and after moving back and forth across the world, she now lives in North County Dublin with her family. Lo Iacano enjoys writing middle grade fiction, and uses a humorous approach to address her lived experiences, including chronic and serious illnesses, disability, neurodivergence and immigrant life.

Czacarri Muli is an illustrator, designer and writer from Drogheda and is in his final year of Illustration at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin. He enjoys working in a range of subject matters, from illustrating colourful picturebooks to rendering more mature editorials.

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