Beginner’s pluck: Artist and writer Brendan Mac Evilly

'Deep Burn' is an absorbing novel, based in the world of conceptual art, it examines obsession, fame, and envy

Brendan Mac Evilly: 'I wrote 'Deep Burn' during lockdown — mostly in bed with my wife, with our baby between us.' Picture: David McGovern

At 11, Brendan was joint winner of a writing competition. And at around 16, his teacher said one of his stories was good enough to get published.

“That was a ‘wow’ moment,” he says. “But I decided to study commerce instead.”