Picture an Irish storyteller who weaves the uncanny with the utterly believable—meet Sue Rainsford! This Dublin-based novelist and arts writer has captivated readers with her lyrical prose and haunting narratives. Her debut, Follow Me to Ground, shook the literary world, earning the Kate O’Brien Award and cementing her as a rising star in contemporary fiction.
With a knack for blending magic realism and feminist themes, Rainsford’s work explores the body, desire, and otherness in ways that linger like a strange, beautiful dream. Let’s dive into her journey, from her Dublin roots to her growing influence in global literature.
The Making of Sue Rainsford
Born on March 17, 1988, in Sandymount, Dublin, Sue Rainsford grew up surrounded by books, thanks to her parents’ love of literature. She recalls declaring her ambition to be a writer at age eight, a dream that took root alongside her close bond with her sister. Rainsford studied art history and philosophy at Trinity College, Dublin, and later pursued a master’s in visual arts at IADT. Her fascination with poetic language, sparked by reading Simone de Beauvoir, shaped her unique voice. By 2017, she had earned an MFA in Writing and Literature from Bennington College, Vermont, setting the stage for her literary career.
Rainsford’s early work as an arts writer, contributing to outlets like The Guardian and Irish Arts Review, honed her ability to merge critical and creative perspectives. Her debut novel emerged from this blend, drawing inspiration from visual artists and her research into the female experience.
Sue Rainsford’s Unforgettable Stories
Rainsford’s debut, Follow Me to Ground (2018), is a mesmerizing tale of Ada, a non-human healer who mends villagers by burying them in a mystical Ground. With its mix of horror, fairytale, and feminist undertones, the novel explores sex, death, and the female body through hypnotic prose. Critics praised its originality, with Kirkus Reviews calling it “strange, lyrical, and arresting.” The book won the Kate O’Brien Award and was longlisted for the Desmond Elliott and Republic of Consciousness prizes.
In 2021, Rainsford released Redder Days, a dystopian novel set in a plague-ravaged world. Twins Anna and Adam navigate a crumbling commune under the sway of a manipulative leader, Koan. The novel’s vivid imagery—think crimson swells and burning landscapes—pairs with themes of power, gender, and survival. Critics lauded its timeliness, drawing parallels to pandemic fears and climate crises, while Rainsford’s sinewy prose kept readers gripped.
Her short story “Shorn,” commissioned by RTÉ Radio 1 and read by Saoirse Ronan, was a finalist for the 2021 New York Radio Festival Awards. Rainsford’s style—lyrical, embodied, and unflinchingly feminist—sets her apart, creating worlds that feel both alien and achingly human.
Why Sue Rainsford Matters
Sue Rainsford’s impact lies in her ability to make the strange feel true. Her exploration of the body as a site of power and vulnerability resonates with readers seeking bold, feminist narratives. By blending magic realism with critical theory, she challenges conventions, earning accolades like multiple Arts Council Literature Bursary Awards and residencies at the Irish Museum of Modern Art and Maynooth University. Her work inspires emerging writers, particularly in Ireland, to embrace risk and originality.
As a mentor and judge, from the Zurich Portrait Prize to the Irish Writers Centre, Rainsford shapes the next generation of storytellers. Her growing global presence—her work is published in the UK, US, and beyond—marks her as a voice to watch in contemporary literature.
- Born: March 17, 1988, Sandymount, Dublin
- Key Works: Follow Me to Ground (2018), Redder Days (2021), “Shorn” (2021)
- Awards: Kate O’Brien Award (2019), VAI/DCC Art Writing Award (2016-17), MacDowell Fellowship (2019)
- Education: Trinity College (Art History), IADT (Visual Arts), Bennington College (MFA)
Snag Follow Me to Ground or Redder Days and dive into Sue Rainsford’s haunting, feminist worlds—you won’t look at storytelling the same way again!