Writing Material: Ethical and Effective Memoir Writing
Himalayan Literature Festival & Writers Workshop 2026
Malla Hotel
1 June, 2026
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
The Himalayan Literature Festival & Writers Workshop 2026 is delighted to present Writing Material: Ethical and Effective Memoir Writing, a two-hour generative workshop led by acclaimed author and journalist Martin Doyle.
Using his memoir Dirty Linen: The Troubles in My Home Place as an example, participants will be invited to consider the stories they wish to tell, the ethics of telling someone else’s story, where to source background material, how to enhance a text with relevant literary references, and various ways of structuring a narrative—from epigraph to epilogue.
From newspaper libraries and reference books to period texts and local histories, as well as childhood memories, family keepsakes, and reminiscences with relatives and peers, this workshop will explore the touchstones and triggers of meaningful memory.
Through prompts, dedicated writing time, and practical examples, participants will explore their own storytelling potential. By the end of the session, you will leave with new writing, a roadmap for further work, and practical guidance for developing your practice. Writers of all levels are welcome.
About the Facilitator
MARTIN DOYLE is Books Editor of The Irish Times, Ireland’s leading newspaper, which he joined in 2007. He is a former Editor of The Irish Post in London and editor of A History of The Irish Post (2000).
He is the author of Dirty Linen: The Troubles in My Home Place (Merrion Press, 2023), shortlisted for Irish Nonfiction Book of the Year and translated into Chinese and Polish. His latest book is A Hosting: Interviews with Irish Writers 1991–2026 (Lilliput Press, 2026).
He has also contributed essays to The 32: An Anthology of Irish Working-Class Voices (Unbound, 2021) and The Routledge Handbook of the Northern Ireland Conflict and Peace (Routledge, 2023). He is a graduate of the University of St Andrews, where he earned an MA in French and German.
Online Participation
A limited number of virtual seats are available for those who wish to join remotely.
To register or request more information:
hlfwwk2026@gmail.com
https://hlf.whitelotusbookshop.com/
