Over three days in March 2026, the Conference on Children’s Literature will be a focal point for ideas and conversations about writing for young people from academic researchers, authors and industry professionals. It will be hosted by the Children’s Writing Fellow for Northern Ireland (a position formed in partnership between the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland).

Call for Papers and Participants

Deadline for submissions: Friday 6th February 2026

We are now accepting abstracts (300 words) for papers that will be presented in the Seamus Heaney Centre on Friday the 27th of March, 2026.

We are also accepting expressions of interest from authors, illustrators, publishers and other industry professionals for panel discussions and other conversations around the landscape of children’s literature. This day of activities for those working in the world of writing for young people will take place in the Seamus Heaney Centre on Saturday 28th March, 2026.

For both academic papers and professional please email shc@qub.ac.uk referencing ‘Children’s Literature Conference’. We will continue to accept abstracts and expressions of interest until Friday 6th February 2026.