As an added incentive, all entries received will be considered for inclusion in the inaugural SiarScéal/Hanna Greally Literary Journal, to be launched at the 2016 festival, provisionally scheduled for April.

Last year's overall winner of the Hanna Greally Literary Awards was Rose Morris. Her prize was a publishing package from The Manuscript Publisher, to see her book published in print and e-book editions. The 2015 SiarScéal Festival, will kick off with the launch of Rose's book, The Splendiferous Tale of Ferdinand Fox, an illustrated book of verse aimed at children but also carrying a very important message about the fate and well-being of our planet. The action takes the protagonists of this story on an adventure that crosses continents but ends up on the shores of Lough Erne, which, of course, was the venue for a recent G8 Summit of world leaders.

The Splendiferous Tale of Ferdinand Fox by Rose Morris will be on sale from November, in print and e-book editions. Signed copies will be on sale at the launch, to take place at Roscommon County Library Headquarters, Abbey Street, Roscommon Town on the evening of Thursday, 5 November, commencing 6pm. Entertainment and refreshments will be provided.

The Festival continues the following day (Friday, 6 November), at the same venue, with a day-long programme commencing 10am. Opening addresses will be followed by the presentation of the Hanna Greally Literary Awards to the lucky winners. Musical interludes and recitals will accompany the events that also include two workshops. Author and poet, Mary Guckian will present a Writer's Recital and Workshop. This will be followed by a Writing for Publishing workshop presented by Oscar Duggan of The Manuscript Publisher on the theme of Writing and Publishing in the Information Age.

Full details about the Festival and the Hanna Greally Literary Awards are available from SiarScéal. A copy of the programme of events is also available to download and share.

Make a note of the following Dates for Your Diary:

• • Friday, 23 October - closing dates for entries for the Hanna Greally Literary Awards 2015. See SiarScéal website for more information

  • Thursday, 5 November - launch of the book, The Splendiferous Tale of Ferdinand Fox by Rose Morris at Roscommon County Libraries HQ, Abbey Street, Roscommon Town. Evening commences 6pm

  • Friday, 6 November - official launch of SiarScéal Festival 2015 including presentation of the Hanna Greally Literary Awards 2015, followed by writers workshops, music recitals, open mic.