Karen McCarthy was Writer in Residence for the literature development agency Spread the Word from July 2005 through to May 2006.

 

The residency was a vital support at a pivotal point in her career as a writer and reflects her long association with the organisation. During the course of the residency Karen facilitated numerous writing workshops, initiated Meet the Editor sessions for poets and set up a blog to record the process. The residency concluded with the publication of The Worshipful Company of Pomegranate Slicers which was selected as a New Statesman Book of the Year.