Literary Journal The Wexford Bohemian Expected to Make a Splash with its Third Volume

A selection of Wexford’s most talented writers and artists will be showcased in the third volume of the popular journal The Wexford Bohemian

After a year hiatus, the popular literary journal The Wexford Bohemian is preparing to release its much-anticipated third volume. The journal, which showcases some of the best and brightest of Wexford’s literary talent, has proved incredibly popular, with its first two volumes selling out within in a mere twenty-four hours.  

Wexford Bohemian #2 by Red Books

The Wexford Bohemian Volume 2, photo courtesy of wexfordbohemian.com.

The Wexford Bohemian is produced by Red Books Press, the official publishing house of the local bookshop Red Books. Since its foundation in 2020, Red Books Press has committed to being a platform for talented local authors to display their works. 

Red Books is the brainchild of Wally O’Neill, who formed the bookshop in 2016 out of, to use his own words, ‘a perfect storm of recession hangover, anarchism and a love of books’. 

Initially operating out of a former bulls-shed in Bridgetown, Red Books was at this point the smallest bookshop in the country. Persistence and passion would see Red Books move into a larger store in Wexford Town in 2019. Since then, Red Books has grown to be one of Wexford’s most beloved gems and a thriving hub for literary talent. 

Red Books in its current location, St Peter’s Square in Wexford Town. Photo courtesy of wexfordtoday.com.

Overseeing the submissions for the Bohemian’s third issue is newly appointed editor Álanna Hammel. A successful writer in her own right, Álanna’s impressive resumé includes published writings in a myriad of anthologies, magazines and newspapers such as The Irish Times and University Times.

This week I had the opportunity to interview Álanna for an insight into her role as editor and to find out what we can expect from the journal’s third volume. 

Álanna Hammel, editor of The Wexford Bohemian. Photo courtesy of alannahammel.com.

How did you come to be the editor for The Wexford Bohemian?

‘I kind of fell into it to be honest with you. I was meeting my friend for coffee and I was like, you know I’d love to just grab it (the Bohemian) and do this with it and do that with it – because I am a big fan of literary anthologies and magazines and everything. My friend said “Oh, so like an editor kind of thing?” and I said “Ah no” and she kind of pushed me into it, I suppose. I won’t name-drop her because I don’t want to expose her (laughs). Then I said it to (Wally) and he was like yeah go for it. There had been a lot of questions about the journal and I thought it was the perfect time to resurrect it, so that’s what we did.’

As an accomplished writer yourself, how do you feel being on the other side of the submission process?

‘It’s important to address the fact that everyone gets rejections. Some of the stuff that I’ve been sent for this issue of the Bohemian is like something you’d read in Grant Magazine or The Irish Times. Like, it’s just next-level. I’m reading it, thinking to myself I’d never be able to come up with that. For me, the biggest takeaway point I have is whenever I get a rejection now, I’m like fair enough, y’know, I understand. Whereas before, it’d put me in a bad mood for the rest of the day. It’s just that the standard is so high out there. People are so talented.’

What can we expect from this third volume?

‘There’s a range of themes and styles. There are some people that are well established who have brought out books or put on plays and there’s some people that are only just beginning. Sometimes they’re just as good each other which is just incredible and I’m honoured that they chose The Wexford Bohemian to submit their first stuff to. I suppose there is a kind of revolving theme of Wexford in it but it’s not really stuck to it, it’s almost like a background. Not everything’s based around it but I know that Wexford people will appreciate each and every piece. It’s very diverse. There’s something in there for everybody.’

This exciting issue of The Wexford Bohemian is expected to be released by Red Books Press this summer. For those of you reading this who are disappointed you missed the deadline for submissions, don’t despair, as the Bohemian will be looking for submissions for a fourth volume in the near future.  

Luke Bradley
Luke Bradley

Luke is a student and a lover of all things Wexford. His favourite topics include Wexford history, entertainment and local events. 

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