As part of the collaborative 10-year Seamus Heaney Legacy Project between Queen's University Belfast and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI), which is funded by the Atlantic Philanthropies, Shirley-Anne McMillan will assume the job.

She will spend two years working with students and participating in outreach initiatives at Queen's Seamus Heaney Centre.

"I'm thrilled to be named the new Queen's Children's Writing Fellow for Northern Ireland, building on the success of previous fellows Maire Zepf, Kelly McCaughrain, and Paul Howard," Ms McMillan stated.

"Young adult writing is my area of expertise, and I'm passionate about assisting young adults in discovering ways to express their own truths via reading and creative writing.

"I want to work with young people during my fellowship to support literacy and writing confidence, especially in communities who have historically been excluded in Northern Ireland.

"I also hope to collaborate with creative writing instructors and establish avenues for adult children's fiction writers to hone their craft."

The writer, whose books are all set in Northern Ireland, used to be a school teacher and an online writer-in-residence for the Irish Writers Centre in Dublin. Currently, she mentors new writers through the Irish Writers Centre and teaches creative writing at Belfast's Crescent Arts Centre.

"With her years of experience in the classroom, we are sure Shirley-Anne will bring her own energy, vision, and passion to the role and help and encourage young people to share their own stories," Catherine Heaney, speaking on behalf of Seamus Heaney's Estate, said.

"Shirley-Anne's work speaks compellingly (and beautifully) to readers in the later school years," stated Professor Glenn Patterson, director of Queen's University Belfast's Seamus Heaney Centre.

"In this role, Shirley-Anne will act as an ambassador and mentor for young people, hosting creative writing workshops, readings, and events over the next two years," stated Damian Smyth, joint head of literature at the Arts Council for Northern Ireland.

"She brings with her an infectious passion for books and stories, her own experiences writing for YA audiences, and her background in teaching."

In the spring, McMillan will start her role as the Northern Ireland Children's Writing Fellow.