Mike Stevens
@mikestevens72.bsky.social
Writer, musician, songwriter. Co-winner of the Irish Writers Centre's International Debut Novel Competition 2026. linktr.ee/mikestevens72
A couple of days pitching The Setlists at the Irish Writers Centre, I’ve met some fantastic writers, publishers and agents, as well as the lovely IWC gang. Great fun.
September 12, 2026 at 6:27 PM
A couple of days pitching The Setlists at the Irish Writers Centre, I’ve met some fantastic writers, publishers and agents, as well as the lovely IWC gang. Great fun.
The latest astounding episode from Andrew Hickey, this time about Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band. I take a while to get through these longer episodes but they’re worth it. Sugar and spikes der ner ner
Our smiles are stuck…because there’s a new episode out now!
Song 186: “Frownland” by Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band 🐟🥁
The long-awaited third part of a trilogy following the episodes on the GTOs and Zappa 🎶
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and via the website: 500songs.com/podcast/song...
Song 186: “Frownland” by Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band 🐟🥁
The long-awaited third part of a trilogy following the episodes on the GTOs and Zappa 🎶
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and via the website: 500songs.com/podcast/song...
September 8, 2026 at 8:06 PM
The latest astounding episode from Andrew Hickey, this time about Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band. I take a while to get through these longer episodes but they’re worth it. Sugar and spikes der ner ner
Sad day
Planned changes to Irish citizenship requirements will ensure that new citizens have an “understanding” of the country and its values, the Taoiseach has said. jrnl.ie/7154915
September 7, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Sad day
16 years ago Lie Ins played the first Popical Island all-dayer. And we shall return this year! (As a three-piece now.)
September 6, 2026 at 9:49 PM
16 years ago Lie Ins played the first Popical Island all-dayer. And we shall return this year! (As a three-piece now.)
Reader, I picked up her shite.
September 4, 2026 at 9:43 AM
Reader, I picked up her shite.
It was great talking to Paul and Niall on Claremorris Community Radio about the Setlists and the International Debut Novel Competition. www.mixcloud.com/ccrnews/mike...
Mike Stevens chats with Niall and Paul by CCR946.ie Audio Online Hub
Mike Stevens chats with Niall and Paul about being 1 of 12 authors selected for the Irish Writers Centre Debut Novel Competition
www.mixcloud.com
September 4, 2026 at 8:01 AM
It was great talking to Paul and Niall on Claremorris Community Radio about the Setlists and the International Debut Novel Competition. www.mixcloud.com/ccrnews/mike...
Blown away by finding out that this is coming out, what the heck. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hiob...
Everybody Digs Bill Evans - Official UK Trailer - In Cinemas 11 September
YouTube video by Little White Lies
www.youtube.com
September 3, 2026 at 9:12 AM
Blown away by finding out that this is coming out, what the heck. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hiob...
Reposted by Mike Stevens
Oh no. Exactly what everyone who knows anything about it said would happen, happened. Oh gosh. Maybe another moral panic will do it? Or maybe we should give "pretending to care but not actually asking the tech companies who are responsible to do anything" another go?
There has been no reduction in underage children’s access to social media platforms, despite legal obligations which came into effect in July 2025 designed to prevent this, according to a new report. jrnl.ie/7149603
Despite new regulations, some 70% of children aged 8-12 still have social media accounts
The report said this suggests that neither the Digital Services Act nor Ireland’s Online Safety Code are “yet to have any measurable effect on underage access”.
jrnl.ie
September 2, 2026 at 8:18 AM
Oh no. Exactly what everyone who knows anything about it said would happen, happened. Oh gosh. Maybe another moral panic will do it? Or maybe we should give "pretending to care but not actually asking the tech companies who are responsible to do anything" another go?
Posting this for no other reason that it popped up on my socials and it's an astonishing performance by everyone involved. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qia...
Ry Cooder - At The Dark End Of The Street - Live 1977
YouTube video by HoneyboyWalter
www.youtube.com
September 1, 2026 at 9:06 AM
Posting this for no other reason that it popped up on my socials and it's an astonishing performance by everyone involved. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qia...
Reposted by Mike Stevens
Bump!
My writing masterclass in Derry is coming up on 12 September.
I'll have loads to say.
Do come!
@irishwriterscentre.bsky.social
irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/writ...
My writing masterclass in Derry is coming up on 12 September.
I'll have loads to say.
Do come!
@irishwriterscentre.bsky.social
irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/writ...
Writers in the Regions: Writing, a masterclass with Rónán Hession (Derry) - Irish Writers Centre
This masterclass will focus on the writing, editing and publishing of novels of creative literary fiction with Ronan Hession in Derry
irishwriterscentre.ie
August 31, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Bump!
My writing masterclass in Derry is coming up on 12 September.
I'll have loads to say.
Do come!
@irishwriterscentre.bsky.social
irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/writ...
My writing masterclass in Derry is coming up on 12 September.
I'll have loads to say.
Do come!
@irishwriterscentre.bsky.social
irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/writ...
Andy Burnham’s ruling out of a border poll in NI says more about him than any amount of Smiths jams. Disappointing.
August 29, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Andy Burnham’s ruling out of a border poll in NI says more about him than any amount of Smiths jams. Disappointing.
Yay. Another diverting episode. I'm surprised how many of the songs on this I know.
One banana, two banana…a brand new bonus episode just dropped! 💥
Andrew’s twenty-minute deep-dive into The Tra La La Song is now available exclusively for backers 🍌🎶
Not on Patreon yet? Sign up and listen today: www.patreon.com/AndrewHickey...
Andrew’s twenty-minute deep-dive into The Tra La La Song is now available exclusively for backers 🍌🎶
Not on Patreon yet? Sign up and listen today: www.patreon.com/AndrewHickey...
August 28, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Yay. Another diverting episode. I'm surprised how many of the songs on this I know.
My 12 year old kid, having little experience of AI (he has no phone or computer) can spot AI-generated imagery a mile off, and finds it to be tacky without really analysing why.
August 27, 2026 at 11:09 AM
My 12 year old kid, having little experience of AI (he has no phone or computer) can spot AI-generated imagery a mile off, and finds it to be tacky without really analysing why.
Apparently Muhammad Ali coined “diff’rent strokes for diff’rent folks”.
RIP TO ONE OF THE GREATEST TO EVER DO IT
August 25, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Apparently Muhammad Ali coined “diff’rent strokes for diff’rent folks”.
Sorry to hear Dolly’s gone. But also not sad, because she made everyone who saw or heard her happy. So that’s good. Safe travels to her anyway.
August 25, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Sorry to hear Dolly’s gone. But also not sad, because she made everyone who saw or heard her happy. So that’s good. Safe travels to her anyway.
This year I’m having a belated birthday. People with them seem to get a lot of attention on the internet.
August 23, 2026 at 6:29 PM
This year I’m having a belated birthday. People with them seem to get a lot of attention on the internet.
Galway-bound to meet up with homies. Always good to head west. The train is my favourite mode of T these days. Good for reading and a bit of an old sleep.
August 21, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Galway-bound to meet up with homies. Always good to head west. The train is my favourite mode of T these days. Good for reading and a bit of an old sleep.
Trying to get a morning photo of a Labrador, competing with licks and stretching.
August 21, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Trying to get a morning photo of a Labrador, competing with licks and stretching.
It begins... fight them on the beaches.
Just cancelled Mongolian publication deal for something of mine because the translation would have been done by AI.
August 20, 2026 at 1:36 PM
It begins... fight them on the beaches.
Tender is the meat/The meat I like to eat/Here inside my stew/You can almost hear it moo
And people say I can’t write songs.
And people say I can’t write songs.
August 18, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Tender is the meat/The meat I like to eat/Here inside my stew/You can almost hear it moo
And people say I can’t write songs.
And people say I can’t write songs.
I’m honoured to be featured in the Connacht Telegraph today. www.con-telegraph.ie/2026/08/15/m...
Mayo-born writer makes his mark in major competition | Connaught Telegraph
Mayo-born writer, musician and songwriter Michael Stevens has been named one of just 12 winners of the Irish Writers Centre International Debut Novel Competition 2026, selected from an impressive 804 ...
www.con-telegraph.ie
August 16, 2026 at 10:00 AM
I’m honoured to be featured in the Connacht Telegraph today. www.con-telegraph.ie/2026/08/15/m...
They are now in a pot.
August 15, 2026 at 1:25 PM
They are now in a pot.
Quite enjoying these guys Ugly. Twice Around the Sun ep. youtu.be/vASs97HPAwY?...
Ugly - The Wheel [Official Audio]
YouTube video by Ugly Official
youtu.be
August 14, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Quite enjoying these guys Ugly. Twice Around the Sun ep. youtu.be/vASs97HPAwY?...
Wow. What a run by Mark English in the 800, apparently six years older than the nearest competitor. Hope for me yet. Also a great result from Rhadisat Adeleke. Holy moly 🇮🇪
August 14, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Wow. What a run by Mark English in the 800, apparently six years older than the nearest competitor. Hope for me yet. Also a great result from Rhadisat Adeleke. Holy moly 🇮🇪
Reposted by Mike Stevens
⭐Congratulations to the winners of this year's IDNC!⭐
@irishwriterscentre.bsky.social
booksirelandmagazine.com/winners-of-i...
@irishwriterscentre.bsky.social
booksirelandmagazine.com/winners-of-i...
Winners of International Debut Novel Competition 2026 - Books Ireland
IDNC attracts entries from 38 countries as Irish Writers Centre celebrates its 35th anniversary.
booksirelandmagazine.com
August 12, 2026 at 10:16 AM
⭐Congratulations to the winners of this year's IDNC!⭐
@irishwriterscentre.bsky.social
booksirelandmagazine.com/winners-of-i...
@irishwriterscentre.bsky.social
booksirelandmagazine.com/winners-of-i...