Máire Zepf is an Irish children's author, screenwriter and translator, writing in Irish and in English. She was the first Children's Writing Fellow, based at the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry at Queen’s University, Belfast. (2017-2019)[1]

Early life

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Zepf grew up in Holywood, Co. Down in an Irish-speaking household. She read Modern History at St Catherine's College, Oxford (1995-1998). After graduating, she worked as an Account Manager for London agency Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R and later as an Oifigeach Forbartha (Development Officer) for an Irish language community group in Downpatrick.

Career

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Zepf began her writing career as a journalist for the New Humanist (2011-2015),[2] and An tUltach[3] where she wrote a column called In Ainm na Máthar from 2010 to 2016. In 2012, she published her first book for children.[4] She has written a variety of books for different ages including picture books, chapter books and teen fiction. Her books have been translated to ten languages worldwide.

Zepf has won a number of awards for her writing. These include KPMG/Children's Books Ireland Book of the Year for ‘Nóinín’ in 2020[5], Literacy Association of Ireland Children’s Book Awards for the Rita Series[6], Míp[7], Míp agus Blípín[8], An Féileacán agus an Rí[9] and Ná Gabh ar Scoil, Gradam Reics Carló in 2020[10], Oireachtas Awards for Fiction in 2015 and 2018, an IBBY Honour Award in 2018 and two White Ravens[11][12]. ‘Rita agus an Dragún’ was chosen as a World Book Day book for Ireland in 2023.[13]

Zepf's picture book series Rita, illustrated by Mr Ando, was adapted for television by An tSnáthaid Mhór in 2024. Zepf appeared in the series as a presenter.[14]

Zepf is the writer and co-creator of Celtic anime television series Lí Ban by Paper Owl Films which aired in Irish on Cúla4 TV station and in Welsh on S4C in 2024.[15]

Bibliography

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  • Tubaiste ar an Titanic (Cló Mhaigh Eo, 2012)
  • Lá Leis na Lochlannaigh (Cois Life, 2016)
  • Ná Gabh ar Scoil! (Futa Fata, 2015)
  • Rita agus an Róbat (An tSnáthaid Mhór, 2017)
  • Rita agus an tSíog Mhaith (An tSnáthaid Mhór, 2017)
  • Rita agus an Dragún (An tSnáthaid Mhór, 2018)
  • Rita agus an Chailleach (An tSnáthaid Mhór, 2018)
  • Rita agus an Ninja (An tSnáthaid Mhór, 2019)
  • Rita agus an Lampa Draíochta (An tSnáthaid Mhór, 2020)
  • Rita agus an Fathach (An tSnáthaid Mhór, 2021)
  • Nóinín (Cois Life, 2019)
  • An Féileacán agus an Rí (Futa Fata, 2019)
  • Míp (Futa Fata, 2020)
  • Míp agus Blípín (Futa Fata, 2022)
  • Leabhar Smaointe Móra Rita (An tSnáthaid Mhór, 2022)
  • Rita agus an tEachtrán (An tSnáthaid Mhór, 2023)
  • Rita agus an Dineasár (An tSnáthaid Mhór, 2023)
  • Don't Go to School! (Sterling Children's Books, 2017 and Futa Fata 2018
  • Rita wants a Robot (Graffeg, 2021)
  • Rita wants a Fairy Godmother(Graffeg 2022)
  • Rita wants a Dragon (Graffeg, 2022)
  • Rita wants a Ninja (Graffeg, 2022)
  • Rita wants a Genie (Graffeg 2022)
  • Rita wants a Witch (Graffeg, 2021)

Further reading

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https://www.writing.ie/interviews/going-to-the-dark-side-noinin-by-maire-zepf/ https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/2024/10/06/we-used-to-be-invisible-as-irish-speakers-in-belfast-but-theres-a-new-confidence-now-to-shout-it-from-the-rooftops/ https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/stage/an-feileacan-agus-an-ri-modernising-and-adapting-an-ancient-myth-1.4185726

References

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