In September 2025, Literature Ireland was proud to support Megan Nolan as she travelled to Georgia to meet her publisher, Sulakauri Publishing, and connect with readers at the Tbilisi International Festival of Literature. Megan took part in several events, where she spoke about the writing of her debut novel, Acts of Desperation, which was recently published by Sulakauri as სასოწარკვეთის აქტები. Following the festival, Megan stayed in Tblisi for a period of two weeks as part of a residency with PEN Georgia and Sulakauri.
We asked Megan a few questions about her stay in Georgia.
How was your overall experience in Tbilisi? Did it match expectations?
I had a great experience in Tbilisi. It was a privilege to visit a country where the creation of literature and art is so difficult and yet so prioritised. Having been in touch with my publisher Luka for years, and having deferred an earlier trip because of Russia invading Ukraine, I was delighted to finally meet him in person and see firsthand how his passion and integrity are fuelling so much. The festival itself was well organised, smooth, and well-paced; the events I took part in were spaced out such that I was able to relax and catch up on my day to day work in between each one, the panels were thoughtfully curated and well suited to my work, and there were books available to buy, and signings, at each one. Personally, I also appreciated that both my publisher and the festival were so very hospitable - we went to wonderful traditional Georgian restaurants, I had one on one dinners with Luka and Natalie from the festival, and there were also lovely group events with the other writers. I was very pleased, for example, to share a panel with Sjon and hear what the literary scene in Iceland is like.
Did this experience directly or indirectly impact your creative work?
Yes! My residency lasted a little over two weeks, and I had time to edit and continue writing essays for a new book I am working on, so it was very useful. I was aware I could get in touch with Luka or Natalia at any point if I felt like socialising, which I did several times, but was also left to work in peace and got a lot done.
How was your accommodation? Is there anything you would change?
Honestly wouldn't change a thing, the accommodation was lovely and well situated in the city, everyone was very available to me and made sure my travel and logistics were easy, and I felt very supported every step both by Literature Ireland and the festival and Luka. I think it's very important to writers and publishers in Tbilisi that people visit and that they return to their own countries with knowledge of the political landscape, they said they very much value European writers coming over, so if anything I'd just say it could be promoted as a possibility further to writers who don't necessarily have it on their radar.
Posted to Writer Support Programme on 1 Oct 2025.