“Authenticity is at the heart of this collection.” Judges: North Star Collective of Authors
 |
| In bed I cut words- winner at CAP awards for Indies |
I am Beyond Words.
My book - Our book ‘In Bed I cut words’ was awarded winner in the Anthologies Category at The Carousel Awards for Irish Independent Authors (CAP)
Around 5 pm. an hour before the event started at Chapters Bookstore Dublin, on the 10th of October 2025, I dictated some thoughts on my phone: “…It breaks my heart that I’m not there. But that is reality of life with severe ME. I can think of places to go with the reality being different. I’m here in my nursing home room in bed looking out over the mountains but my heart is with you all.
“… It’s kind of like a little bit of history made. A book created from collages made in bed, with words by many others, and made into a beautiful piece of art by designer David Murphy from Red Heaven Design. It has been loved, shared, and the story honoured by so so many around Ireland, around the world.
I would not have been able to do this without the support from soo many….” (See my book web page)
 |
| Watching the event and communicating with my brother |
I watched parts of the award ceremony on my iPad. It isn’t easy for me to look at a screen for anything longer than a few minutes but it was wonderful to be able to be part of the night… just in case…Also it was also very much past my bedtime.
Around 7pm My book was being reviewed along with the other 5 brilliant shortlisted books in the Anthologies Category. The Judges for this category were North Star Collective of Authors who said: “It has been a challenge and a delight to judge the entries in this category. On behalf of Shelley Tracey, Adeline Henry and myself, Anne McMaster, I’m delighted to give our feedback on these remarkable anthologies and announce the winner in this category.…
 |
| Anne McMaster from North Star Collective of Authors |
If you like to hear what they said about my book, please go to 1:06:16 on youtube
“We were deeply moved by In bed I cut words – by Corina Duyn Artist in care - an original, haunting and beautifully produced book containing words and artworks created by Corina Duyn which reflect on her experiences of severe ME.
The book is enhanced by a commentary of the artist who supported her and by a range of people involved in Corina’s care. With its selection of voices and its striking, thought-provoking and deeply moving collages - this anthology makes a powerful case for the arts in care, helping patients to express themselves and to connect with their creativity.
Corina addresses evergreen themes here: the idea of home, illness, ageing / loss of independence. Importantly, it highlights the value of a creative practice for both in-the-moment enjoyment and self-expression. Corina draws us into a pattern and rhythm as we moving through from one image to the next, searching out the words in each collage – unpacking her moving observations of the life she lives.
These words and images ask for our time and our attention - they identify a woman who lives with an all-consuming, overwhelming illness but who explores her condition and her world with a truly fine articulate mind.
Authenticity is at the heart of this collection; it’s what this anthology is all about. It is about being heard and about being seen. Given Corina’s isolation, her lack of mobility and often her invisibility, this anthology showcases a clear, strong artistic voice. This anthology carries a clear personal voice of loss and loneliness, of tiredness, of creativity and of a deep ache to go home.
This is a stunning collection that will stay with us – and that is why I’m happy to say that it’s our unanimous decision to award In Bed I cut Words by Corina Duyn first place in this category.
Thank you.”
The after:
Wow.
Yes.
I did it.
We did it.
Surreal.
 |
| My brother Joop, and Niece Aisling at the event |
My brother Joop Duyn received the award on my behalf.
“I am Corina’s older brother, and the two of us are living in Ireland for the past 40 years… She has been diagnosed with this illness at least 25 years. l've seen her going down and down and at the moment she's lying flat. She's actually looking at us. She's in her nursing home, but she's very happy at the moment. This is a big achievement for a person with so little mobility… This is her biggest award.”
I did it…
I rang the bell to alert the staff.
I texted with friends.
My brother rang.
Carer came to congratulate me and paged through the book.
So many messages…
So many thoughts…
Sunday
My brother Joop travelled from Dublin, to Mooncoin, on his way back to Kerry, to bring me the award in person. And tell me all about the night.
It is real! I really did win the award. I have the trophy.
 |
| With my brother Joop handing over my award on Sunday |
The weekend on social media
Over the weekend this achievement was well celebrated on social media by ME Advocates Ireland, as well as friends and other writers. I was delighted, as I certainly was not able to share this news myself, but over the days was able to read the many, many comments and shares, and respond to some of them. All helping me to understand not just the joy of having been awarded a CAP award for my book, but inadvertently brought the world of severe ME to a different audience…
“You've managed to bring awareness to ME in a way that is unquantifiable.” Sarah Meehan O'Callaghan
***
“….Through her writing, Corina has once again shone a much needed light on Severe ME, sharing, with courage and grace, the daily realities and challenges faced by those living with this devastating disease. We are beyond proud of Corina for this incredible achievement, and for using her voice to bring visibility, understanding, and strength to our Severe ME community.”
ME Advocates Ireland (MEAI)
The now
I will continue to digest this news. Am delighted. Am overwhelmed. What does this means to me personally. Life in care. What does this means to me creatively. I believed my work was done. Perhaps it isn’t. I will shift through the impact of the judges profound words. I cry when I hear them being spoken or read the transcript. The unwavering believe in my work from so many. What it means to being a voice for those ill, and those living in care
How to go from here…
There are a few books available, and for any updates on future releases, please keep an eye out on my website and social media pages.
Well done Corina ! It is a wonderful book.
ReplyDeleteMany many thanks Janet.
Delete