Call for Submissions:2014 Cardiff International Poetry Competition

Closing Date: Friday 14th March 2014

The 2014 Cardiff International Poetry Competition is now open for entries. The competition offers one of the largest monetary prizes for a poetry competition of its kind. First prize is £5,000. Additional prizes are £500 for second place, £250 for third and five runners-up receive £50 each. All entries to the competition will be judged anonymously, so this is a great opportunity to have your poetry judged on its own merits.

The hard task of judging the 2014 competition will be down to award-winning poets Lemn Sissay, Rhian Edwards and filter judge Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch. Click here to read more about the judges.

If you think you have what it takes to delight the judges and get your hands on the top prize of £5,000, then send your poems now. Just make sure your poem is no longer than 50 lines long, is unpublished, is in English, and is not a translation of another author’s work. Send it, along with your entry form and payment, to Literature Wales.

To enter 

• Entry fee: £7.00 per poem. 

• To download an entry form, click here.

• To receive an entry form through the post send a stamped, self addressed envelope to: Literature Wales, CIPC14 Entry Form, Cambrian Buildings, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 5FL.

Prologue to an Adventure: Developing Dylan’s International Competition

Prologue to an Adventure is Literature Wales' new international competition for young people, open to all budding writers aged between 7 and 25 years. The competition offers a special chance for entrants to have their work published in a literary magazine and read on national radio by some of Wales’ most prominent figures including, BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens.

Judges: acclaimed comedian Mark Watson, celebrated author of Submarine, Joe Dunthorne, award winning children’s author Elen Caldecott, and Dylan Thomas’ granddaughter and President of the Dylan Thomas Society, Hannah Ellis.

The competition welcomes entries in any form of creative writing from poetry to song lyrics, funny limericks to fiction, as long as it has been inspired by the Welsh writer Dylan Thomas and is no longer than thirty lines or 500 words.

Closing Date: Friday 27 June 2014

For more information on Prologue to an Adventure,
and to submit a competition entry please click here
or contact Literature Wales on: 029 2047 2266 / post@literaturewales.org.

Call fro Submissions: The Rhys Davies Short Story Competition

The Rhys Davies Short Story Competition 2014 is now open for entries

The Rhys Davies Short Story Competition has been revamped for 2014, with the inclusion of a brand new Under 21 Prize, and an increased total prize fund of £5,000. The 2014 competition will be judged by Cynan Jones, Deborah Kay Davies and Gee Williams. First prize is £2,000. Additional prizes are £800 for second place, £400 for third and six runners-up will receive £100 each.

The Under 21 Prize will be judged by Rachel Trezise. First prize is £1,000 and the runner-up will receive £200. 

Closing date: Friday 16th May 2014

To enter

• Entry fee: £7.00 per story or £4.00 per story for Under 21 Prize.

• You can enter by post or online: click here to download the entry form or click here to enter online.

• To receive an entry form through the post, please send a stamped self-addressed envelope to: Literature Wales, Rhys Davies 2014 Entry Form, Cambrian Buildings, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff, CF10 5FL

Source: Literature Wales

2014 Cardiff International Poetry Competition Open for Entries

The 2014 Cardiff International Poetry Competition is now open for entries. The competition offers one of the largest monetary prizes for a poetry competition of its kind. First prize is £5,000. Additional prizes are £500 for second place, £250 for third and five runners-up receive £50 each. All entries to the competition will be judged anonymously, so this is a great opportunity to have your poetry judged on its own merits.

The hard task of judging the 2014 competition will be down to award winning poets Lemn Sissay, Rhian Edwards and filter judge Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch. Click here to read more about the judges.

If you think you have what it takes to delight the judges and get your hands on the top prize of £5,000, then send us your poems now. Just make sure your poem is no longer than 50 lines long, is unpublished, is in English and is not a translation of another author’s work. Send it, along with your entry form and payment, to Literature Wales

.

Entry fee: £7.00 per poem. 

To download an entry form, click here.

To receive an entry form through the post send a stamped, self addressed envelope to:
Literature Wales, CIPC14 Entry Form,
Cambrian Buildings, Mount Stuart Square,
Cardiff, Wales, CF10 5FL.

For further details contact Literature Wales:
029 2047 2266 / post@literaturewales.org

Closing date: Friday 14 March 2014

Claire Vaye Watkins named the 2013 winner of the Dylan Thomas Prize

On Thursday 7th November, it was announced that the American author, Claire Vaye Watkins has won the 2013 Dylan Thomas Prize. The announcement was made at an awards ceremony held at the National Waterfront Museum in Dylan Thomas’ hometown of Swansea. The 29-year-old California-born author won the prize for her collection of short stories Battleborn, which was the unanimous choice of the judges.

The winner was chosen by a panel of judges including Hay Festival founder Peter Florence, novelist Allison Pearson, author, singer and BBC 6 music presenter Cerys Matthews, journalist and author Carolyn Hitt, commentator and artist Kim Howells, Guardian Review journalist Nicholas Wroe, and Chairman of the Dylan Thomas Prize, Peter Stead.

Congratulations also to Welsh writer, Jemma L King who's debut poetry collection, The Shape of a Forest, was short-listed for the celebrated Dylan Thomas Prize. Jemma will be one of a team of writers who will deliver one hour workshops in schools throughout Wales as part of Literature Wales’ Developing Dylan project. Jemma was also awarded a New Writer’s Bursary from Literature Wales, to work on her next collection of poetry between 2013 - 2014.

Source Literature Wales

Literature Wales Writers' Bursaries 2014

Literature Wales Writers' Bursaries 2014

Application forms for the 2014 Literature Wales Bursaries are available to new and published writers. Bursaries are awarded to support writers creating new work in the following genres: novels, short stories, graphic novels, poetry, children’s literature, teenage fiction, literary criticism, biography/autobiography and factual prose of literary merit.

Bursaries are available for writers with disabilities in need of specialist equipment and assistance. Buying Time Bursaries are also available, and the Miscellaneous Fund can offer small-scale support to help cover the travel or research costs of specific writing projects.

Applicants must be resident in Wales at the time of application and throughout the period of the bursary.

Closing date for applications: Friday 25th October 2013

The guidelines and application forms for the 2014 Literature Wales Writers’ Bursaries
are available to download from the Literature Wales website, or contact Literature Wales: post@literaturewales.org / 029 2047 2266

London Welsh Literature Festival From Wales, Bloomsbury And Beyond 3rd to 5th October 2013

Thursday 3rd - Saturday 5th October
London Welsh Centre,
157-163 Grays Inn Road, London, WC1X 8UE

This October, Literature Wales will catch the London train to the London Welsh Centre, where the inaugural London Welsh Literature festival will be held. As the hub for promoting social and cultural activity within the Welsh community in London, the Centre will host the very best of Welsh writing across three days in the heart of the city.

As the festival take place during the week of National Poetry Day, they’ll be sending both their Young People’s Laureate for Wales, Martin Daws, and Bardd Plant Cymru, Aneirin Karadog to the centre to meet with school children for a poetry and performance workshop. Both laureates will also join up with poets Joe Dunthorne, Rufus Mufasa and Molly Naylor on the Saturday for an afternoon of quick-paced, punchy performances.

As a preview of Wales-wide and world celebrations of the centenary of Dylan Thomas in 2014, the festival will host an event with Thomas’ granddaughter and honourable Patron of DT100 Hannah Ellis. She’ll be joined by leading Welsh poet and novelist Owen Sheers for this Saturday evening event.

Other highlights of the festival will include a discussion on Welsh identity with this year’s National Eisteddfod Crown winner and former Londoner Ifor ap Glyn, journalist and author Jasper Rees and writer Peter Daniels; a conversation with BBC News presenter Huw Edwards; music from acclaimed string quartet The Kane Players; and an evening to remember the Senghenydd Mining Disaster featuring Boyd Clack.

Click here to read more on this story on the Literature Wales website.

To book tickets for events taking place on Saturday 5th October call 0207 837 3722.

The London Welsh Literature Festival is organised by the London Welsh Centre in partnership with Literature Wales.

Developing Dylan is now Online

www.developingdylan100.com

The website for Developing Dylan, Literature Wales’ new education project, is now live and ready for you to explore.

Find out about the creative writing workshops which will be available for teachers to book from 1 September, and discover the cross art-form workshops which will get young people playing with Dylan’s world through social media, music, visual art and spoken word.
Young writers from 7 to 25 will also be able to find out about Prologue to an Adventure, the Developing Dylan international writing competition.

The website offers a sneak preview into Dylan Live, the live music and bilingual spoken word show which will bring Dylan Thomas’ 1950s New York back to life through a fusion of vinyl, jazz, beat poetry, hip hop and spoken word. Poets Martin Daws, Aneirin Karadog and Zaru Jonson, hip hop artist Ed Holden, DJ Dyl Mei and academic Huw Vaughan Williams will sample, re interpret and mix music that is quintessentially New York with Dylan Thomas’ words for a unique live experience. Coming to a student union bar near you soon…

Whether through prose, verse, music or visual art, Developing Dylan will celebrate the diverse ways in which Dylan Thomas’ poetry can be appreciated, shared and enjoyed.
Developing Dylan is funded by the Welsh Government and will form part of the official Dylan Thomas 100 Festival.

The Developing Dylan website was designed and developed by Ctrl.atl.design

Poetry Wales Editor Vacancy

Poetry Wales is seeking a new editor following the announcement that Zoë Skoulding will retire after seven years in the role. If you have a vision for one of Britain’s leading poetry magazines – its content, delivery and marketing – Poetry Wales would like to hear from you. Your first issue will be an historic one – vol. 50 no. 1, due to be published in June 2014.

Founded in 1965, Poetry Wales is a quarterly magazine with an international reputation for excellent poems, features and reviews from Wales and beyond. Emerging from a rich bilingual culture, Poetry Wales explores the diverse perspectives of Welsh poetry in English and its international relationships.

Its interest in translation, and in local and national identities in a global context, are at the forefront of some of the most exciting developments in poetry today. The magazine is open to tradition and experiment, publishing poetry from a wide range of approaches. Against this background of dynamic contrast, it offers a lively and informed critical context for the best contemporary poetry.

Deadline for applications: Saturday 31st August 2013.

For further information email: mickfelton@serenbooks.com

www.poetrywales.co.uk

Vote Now for The Wales Book of the Year Award 2013 "The People's Choice Prize"

Following the online announcement of the Wales Book of the Year 2013 Short List in May, the readers of Wales are making their way to the Wales Online website to vote for their favourite book on the Short List in the People’s Choice Prize poll.
Last year’s People’s Choice Prize winner, poet Philip Gross wrote a poem in praise of his specially commissioned trophy which is testiment to the importance of The People’s Choice Prize to each Shortlisted author.
If you are yet to cast your vote, don’t worry – you still have time. Why not watch the Short List announcement, read about the shortlisted books and vote on the Wales Online website by following this link. Whilst surfing the Wales Online website, you can also read articles by some of the 2013 shortlisted authors explaining the reasons they became authors. Watch out for the next instalments in the Western Mail Weekend magazine each Saturday in the run-up to the ceremony on 18th July, as well as on the Wales Online website.




http://walesbookoftheyear.co.uk/

Source: Literature Wales

Invite to Tender from Literature Wales - Writing Workshops themed on Dylan Thomas

Literature Wales is the national organisation for developing literature in Wales, and part of its vision is to develop the creativity and literacy skills of children and young people. To mark Dylan Thomas’s centenary in 2014, Literature Wales, funded by Welsh Government will launch a new project called Dylanwad / Developing Dylan which will form part of the Dylan Thomas centenary celebrations taking place in 2014.
Commission to develop workshops and teaching pack

Literature Wales is looking for a contractor to devise six new one-hour creative writing workshops (for Key Stages 2, 3 & 4, in Welsh and in English) themed on Dylan Thomas’ work.
Literature Wales invites applications for tender to devise six one-hour workshops (for Key Stages 2, 3 & 4, in English and in Welsh) that will reflect current curriculum requirements in Wales, including those of the National Literacy and Numeracy Framework. Each workshop will be specifically tailored to the relevant Key Stage, ensuring proper provision for differentiated learning and allowing children and young people the freedom to explore. All six workshops will introduce Thomas’ characters, anecdotes, themes, poetry and prose.
Applicants (or sub-contractors) must be fully bilingual as the workshops will need to be devised in Welsh and in English. Workshops cannot be translated like-for-like – Welsh and English language content should reflect contrasting cultural and linguistic traditions.
This commission can be applied for alongside the complementary commission to develop cross art-form day workshops (see below), or it can be applied for in isolation.

Deadline for applications: 5.00 pm on Friday 3rd May 2013
Click here for more information on the application process and requirements of the tender.


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Commission to develop a new cross art-form day workshop

Literature Wales is also looking to commission a contractor to develop a new cross art-form day workshop for disaffected and disadvantaged children and young people.
Literature Wales invites applications for tender to devise a new cross art-form day workshop themed on Dylan Thomas. The day workshop will target disaffected and disadvantaged children in Key Stages 3 & 4 (i.e. suitable for ages 11-16). In order to increase the accessibility of Dylan Thomas for disadvantaged and disaffected young people, the day workshop will focus on the development of literary ideas rather than the practice of creative writing. The workshop could focus on Thomas’ love of cinema, his documentary propaganda film scripts during the Second World War, his screenplays, his characters, anecdotes, themes, poetry and prose.
Applicants (or sub-contractors) must be fully bilingual as the day session will need to be devised separately in Welsh and in English. The day workshop outline cannot be translated like-for-like, although the general perameters for the two can be the same.
This commission can be applied for alongside the complementary commission to develop one-hour workshops and teaching packs, or it can be applied for in isolation.

Deadline for applications: 5.00 pm on Friday 3rd May 2013
Click here for more information on the application process and requirements of the tender.

Unforgettable Literary Adventures: 2013 Literature Wales' Literary Tourism Events Programme

“What a truly amazing day. It was magical to be in that landscape, and to hear breathtaking words about it while we were there. It was a really spectacular experience that will live long in my memory” 2012 Audience Member

Further, faster and bumpier than ever before, Literature Wales’ 2013 Literary Tourism Events Programme will take you on horseback, bicycle, canoe or on foot, to explore the Wild West, the legends of Arthurian and Medieval Wales, Submarine Swansea, Neolithic Anglesey and the ghosts of Ceredigion.

Located across Wales and beyond, these experiences take you to the heart of the places and themes which inspired and forged the nation’s creative writers – from old favourites such as RS Thomas, Dylan Thomas and Dafydd ap Gwilym, to current greats such as Rachel Trezise, Dannie Abse, Niall Griffiths and Joe Dunthorne. Sparkle on the Taf Estuary, soar with the birds of Ynys-hir, wobble on the tracks of Waldo Williams, rock out in prehistory with a legendary punk musician, and re-visit a teenager’s Swansea - you don’t have to be an experienced rambler, cyclist, horse-rider or canoeist to take part. Just bring yourself, sturdy shoes and plenty of anticipation.

Look out for special Thomas tours: to mark the RS Thomas 2013 Centenary, and to whet your appetite for the Dylan Thomas Centenary celebrations in 2014.

Literature Wales CEO Lleucu Siencyn said: “What could be better than getting outside to play in Wales’ stunning landscapes, whatever the weather? Literature Wales’ literary tours offer so much – they’re fun, sociable, quirky, active, interesting and totally unique. Why not take the chance to explore this landscape in the company of some of Wales’ best writers”
Tour highlights (English language) include:

Saturday 18th May – Literary Ogmore
Cross the River Ogmore on horseback with writers Tom Anderson and Kate North, and listen to the iconic Dannie Abse talk about his love for this part of the Glamorgan coastline. 
 
Saturday 15th June – The Wild West
Spend a Saturday evening with some of Wales’ finest and most sociable writers: Niall Griffiths, Cynan Jones and Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch invite us to their favourite Ceredigion pubs to enjoy readings over drinks.

Friday 21st June – Neolithic Literary Anglesey
A Midsummer Day hike taking in five outstanding prehistoric monuments through the fantastical, archaeological and mystical eyes of punk rock musician Rhys Mwyn and writer and storyteller Fiona Collins.

Saturday 6th July – Submarine Swansea
Joe Dunthorne’s brilliant novel Submarine was quickly adapted into the hugely popular feature film starring Craig Roberts. Join both for a screening and foray into the places from Joe’s teenage years, the book and the film.

Saturday 20th July – Dylan Thomas’ Taf Estuary and New York Treat
Ride the eddies of Dylan Thomas’ life by canoe with Jeff Towns and John Goodby. If paddling isn’t your thing, share an evening of jazz and boutique New York food with Daniel G. Williams.

Saturday 14th September – Medieval Literature and Arthurian Legends at St. Asaph and Holywell
Follow the winding paths of the north-eastern corner of Wales with Raluca Radulescu, delving deep into the literary footsteps of King Arthur.

The 2013 programme runs from April to October 2013 with ticket prices starting from as little as £7.00 (£6.00 concessions). All tours work in partnership with other national organisations.

To request a brochure, book a place or for more information, contact Literature Wales on: post@literaturewales.org / 029 2047 2266.

Mark Tredinnick, Australian Poet and Winner of Cardiff International Poetry Competition 2012 on a Tour of Wales

New Welsh Review is thrilled to announce that acclaimed Australian poet Mark Tredinnick will be visiting Wales this March in a celebratory tour organised by the literary magazine. His poem ‘Margaret River Sestets’, published in NWR 97, won the 2012 Cardiff International Poetry Competition, with a hefty £5,000 prize attached. Tredinnick has published eleven acclaimed works of poetry and prose, including his first lauded collection, Fire Diary (Puncher & Wattmann, 2010) and is regularly invited to read his work worldwide.
The tour dates are:

Monday 18th March | 19.00 – 21.00 | Free
The Ends of the Earth, The Atrium, Glamorgan University, Adam Street, Cardiff
Reading alongside poet and critic Jeremy Hooker
For more information contact: pgross@glam.ac.uk
Tuesday 19th March | 18.30 – 20.00 | Free
Aberystwyth University, Arts Centre Bookshop, Aberystwyth
Chaired by poet and novelist Katherine Stansfield
For more information contact: acbstaff@aber.ac.uk
Monday 25th March | 19.30-22.00 | £3.00
Poems and Pints, Queen’s Hotel, Carmarthen
Includes an open-mic
For more information contact: anthony@write4word.org or (07772) 649316
Thursday 28th March | 19.30-21.30 | £4.00 / Conc.
Poets at the Dylan Thomas Centre, Somerset Place, Swansea
Includes an open-mic
For more information contact: (01792) 463980 or www.dylanthomas.com
Tuesday 26th March | 16.15-18.15 | £2.00 / £1.00
The Writers’ World, The Quad, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Carmarthen Campus
For more information contact: ros.hudis@googlemail.com or m.elfyn@tsd.ac.uk
Friday 29th March | 19.30 - 00.00 | £3.00
Cellar Bards, Cellar Bar, Cardigan
Includes an open-mic
For more information contact: charlotteep2001@yahoo.co.uk / (07971) 660025 

Read our exclusive interview with Mark Tredinnick here.

Opportunity for Young Writers: Festival Young Critics

Are you a budding young writer or journalist aged 8-18 years? Interested in chatting to some award-winning children’s authors and getting published? 

The Festival has teamed up with Cardiff youth magazine theSprout to put together a group of Festival Young Critics. Throughout this year’s Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival (20th – 24th March) we are offering young people the chance to review, discuss and report on a festival event, in exchange for a complimentary ticket plus publication online.

The Festival Young Critics will be able to meet fellow young writers, not to mention some fantastic authors. Please note: young people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult when reviewing events.

To apply to be a Festival Young Critic and for further information, click here.

Info from Literature Wales.

2013 Cardiff International Poetry Competition Closing Date: Friday 15th February 2013

The closing date for the 2013 Cardiff International Poetry Competition is almost upon us! But don't fret if you haven't entered yet, there is still just enough time to send us your winning entry. The first prize-winner will walk away with a cheque for £5,000 for just one poem. Further prizes available are £500 for second place, £250 for third plus five runners-up will receive £50 each.

The competition is accessible to all; it doesn’t matter if you are an established poet or just dabble with verse now and then. All entries to the competition will be judged anonymously, so this is a great opportunity to have your poetry judged on its own merits.

The hard tasking of judging the 2013 competition will be down to none other than former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion, National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke, and filter judge Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch. For more information on the judges click here.

If you think you have what it takes to delight the judges and get your hands on the top prize of £5,000, then send Literature Wales your poems now. Just make sure your poem is no longer than 50 lines long, is unpublished, in English and is not a translation of another author’s work. Send it, along with your entry form and payment, to Literature Wales.

The closing date is Friday 15th February 2013

To download an entry form, visit: www.literaturewales.org/cipc/

Check out our interview with last year's winner here: http://bookapoet.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/exclusive-interview-with-mark.html

Source: Literature Wales

Job Vacancies - New Welsh Review and Planet Magazine - Deadline this week!

Part-time Vacancies at New Welsh Review

New Welsh Review is looking for a Finance and Admin Officer and a Marketing and Publicity Officer, to fulfil key roles at the literary magazine. The first, salaried, post requires a high level of numeracy and superb organisational skills. The second, offered on a remote freelance basis, demands a track record in marketing, publicity or copywriting.

Applications may propose a combination of both roles (max 4 days a week)
and must be submitted by midnight on Wednesday 14th November 2012.

For more information visit: www.newwelshreview.com
or email editor@newwelshreview.com  


 
Job Vacancy - Assistant Editor at Planet

Applications are invited for the post of Assistant Editor of Planet: The Welsh Internationalist starting 1st February 2013. The post has two key roles. The first is administrative: the managing of subscriptions; responsibility for sales and joint responsibility for accounts. The second involves a support role for the editing and production of the magazine and website. Advanced language skills are essential and experience in proofreading is desirable. The successful candidate will have some administrative experience. A good knowledge of IT is essential and experience of databases is desirable.

Planet is a cultural magazine which covers a wide range of subject areas relevant to Wales and beyond. The successful candidate will be expected to have strong interests in areas that include English and Welsh-language literature and culture, the visual arts, Welsh and international politics, social issues, and the environment. All staff are paid the same wage per hour, and contribute to the creative process.

As well as publishing the magazine, Planet is a book publisher, and the assistant editor will be expected to contribute to the production process. Although the medium of the magazine is English, Planet operates a bilingual policy and the successful candidate will have a sufficient fluency in Welsh to be able to communicate with third parties and write formal material.

Planet is owned by Berw Cyf., a not-for-profit company. It is managed by a Board of
Directors, chaired by the Editor. Planet is published with the financial support of the Welsh Books Council

This is a part-time post (20 hours per week) with 20 days’ leave per annum, in addition to public holidays. The salary is £12,116. The successful candidate will be expected to take up the post on 1st February 2013.

The successful applicant will be expected to work from Planet’s office which is based in Aberystwyth. Applications should include a CV, a covering letter which includes your reasons for wanting to join Planet, together with the names and contact of 2 referees. Feel free to include a sample of your writing.

Closing date for applications: Monday 19th November 2012

Applications may be emailed to: planet.enquiries@planetmagazine.org.uk
or sent by post to: Planet, PO Box 44, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3ZZ.

Wimpy Kid Author Jeff Kinney to Launch Inaugural Cardiff Children's Literature Festival 2013

Thursday 29th November 
6.30pm - 7.30pm
City Hall, Civic Centre, Cardiff
Tickets: £3.50

The first Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival will take place in March 2013 and it’s already attracting big names in the world of children’s literature.

Jacqueline Wilson has already confirmed her attendance at the event and now organisers are delighted to announce that the festival will officially be launched this November by Jeff Kinney, the author of the globally successful and award-winning Diary of a Wimpy Kid books.

Jeff will be taking to the stage at Cardiff’s City Hall in his only Welsh appearance to talk all things Wimpy and introducing his audience to 'The Third Whee'l, the seventh and latest book in his brilliant best-selling series. Jeff will be sharing inside information on his involvement in the Wimpy Kid films, and showing how he brings Greg, Rowley and the gang to life.

The Cardiff Children’s Literature festival will run between March 20th-24th 2013 and will bring together some of the best national and local contemporary children’s writers and illustrators in key venues across Cardiff, putting Wales once again on the children’s literary map. Authors already confirmed include Jacqueline Wilson, Anthony Browne, Jeremy Strong, Catherine Fisher, Eurig Salisbury and Malachy Doyle.

“We are delighted that such a prestigious author as Jeff Kinney is launching our festival,” said Cardiff Council Cabinet Member, Cllr Huw Thomas, “The Children’s Literature Festival next year will provide a fun way of getting children excited and interested in reading. Having Jeff Kinney at the launch is a great coup. Our aim is to reach out to everyone who loves children’s books, especially young people, and enable them to interact with some of the most creative minds working in children’s books today by providing a variety of inspirational and accessible events in both the English and Welsh language.”

The original The Diary of Wimpy Kid has beaten Harry Potter to be voted 'Best Children’s Book of the Decade', and is the number one best-selling children’s brand in Britain selling more than 6 million copies in the UK, and over 75 million copies worldwide. The sixth book in the series, 'Cabin Fever' was the best-selling book of 2011 selling one copy every four seconds in the first week of sale.

The logo has been designed by illustrator Huw Aaron, who will be involved in the school outreach activity leading up to the festival.

The Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival is organised by Cardiff Council, Literature Wales,
Cardiff University and The National Museum of Wales.

To book your tickets for the launch event, click here.

On the Slate: The Literature Lounge pops up in Bethesda

Friday 28th - Sunday 30th September
The Literature Lounge, 55 High Street, Bethesda LL57 3AE

Free Entry

Literature Wales is delighted to announce the return of the Literature Lounge this autumn. Last October the organisation's colourful pop-up literary emporium appeared in the heart of St David’s Shopping Centre in Cardiff. Exactly one year later, it will open in Bethesda, Gwynedd, for one weekend only.

This time around, the Literature Lounge will host On the Slate: Bethesda, a programme of inspiring events, including beat-boxing, book swapping, storytelling, reading aloud, open mic, performance poetry and a film screening.

The Programme

Friday 28th September
7.00 - 9.00 pm: music with Gwilym Morus
 
Saturday 29th September
All day: The Big Bethesda Book Swap: bring along your old books and exchange them for exciting new reads. 

11am: Shared Reading Session: a new way of reading. Welsh learners welcome. (Bilingual)
1.30 pm: Stories for Babies with Mari Gwilym. (Bilingual)
2.15 pm: Stories for Children (6 - 8 years old) with Mari Gwilym. (Bilingual)
3pm: Beat-boxing and poetry for young people with Ed Holden / Mr. Phormula (Bilingual)
5pm: Film screening of Dal Yma Nawr, a Welsh visual epic with performances by Rhys Ifans, John Cale, Ioan Gruffudd, Cerys Matthews and more. (Welsh language)
7-9pm: John Ogwen and J. Elwyn Hughes present The Real World of One Moonlit Night (Welsh language)
9pm (in Neuadd Ogwen): Bob Delyn - Tickets for this event cost £6.00 and are available from Kath's shop or on the door.
 
Sunday 30th September
12-6pm: The Big Bethesda Book Swap and creative writing activities.
7-9pm: Performance poet Martin Daws presents an open mic session (sign up on the night; bilingual) and special performance (English language).
 

Everyone is welcome - if you’re in the area why not pop by and say hello!

For further info contact Literature Wales

Source: Literature Wales

Wales Book of the Year 2012

Short List Announcement

Thursday 10th May, 7.00 pm
Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon
Tickets: £10.00 / £8.00 - To book tickets contact Theatr Brycheiniog on 01874 611 622.
Wine reception and canapés included in ticket price.

Join Literature Wales at Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon as we announce which writers have made it on to the Wales Book of the Year 2012 Short List. Before the all-important announcement the audience will be treated to readings by some of Wales' best loved poets including Eurig Salisbury and Ceri Wyn Jones current and former Bardd Plant Cymru respectively, National Poet of Wales Gillian Clarke and Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.

This year the Wales Book of the Year Award will have a fresh look. In 2012 there will be no Long List but instead an English and Welsh-language Short List of three books in three categories – Poetry, Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction. The Chairs of the English and Welsh-language Judging Panels, Dr Spencer Jordan and Dr Jason Walford Davies respectively, will take to the stage following the readings to give a short adjudication and to reveal who has made it on to the Wales Book of the Year 2012 Short List.

For more information about the Award, the judges or to see a list of all eligible books click here to visit the Wales Book of the Year Section on Literature Wales' website and keep and eye out for the new Wales Book of the Year website which will be launched soon.

A limited number of tickets are available, so book yours today through Theatr Brycheiniog on:
01874 611 622.

For more information contact Literature Wales: 029 2047 2266 / post@literaturewales.org

Free Writing Workshops in Cardiff this May!

Literature Wales’ Glyn Jones Centre,
Wales Millennium Centre,
Cardiff Bay, CF10 5AL
Free Entry

Get writing this May with Literature Wales’ programme of genre workshops at the Glyn Jones Centre in Cardiff. Free to attend, they are a great way to get to know some of Wales’ top authors, and feel inspired to create some new work. Places on the workshops are being snapped up so book now to avoid disappointment!

- Science-Fiction Writing Workshop
Wednesday 16 May, 7.00 - 9.00 pm
Science-fiction author Paul D. E. Mitchell will share his experience and knowledge of building sci-fi novels, with special attention to settings in this particular genre.

- Crime Writing Workshop
Thursday 24 May, 7.00 - 9.00 pm
Crime author Belinda Bauer will lead a practical workshop on writing plots for crime fiction and will reveal how to write fascinating beginnings and endings. Please Note: This workshop is now fully booked - contact Literature Wales to add your name to the reserve list.

- Modern Romance Writing Workshop
Wednesday 30 May, 7.00 - 9.00 pm
Join writer and reporter Jo Carnegie to explore the art of modern romance writing and learn how to create a whole range of specific characters for romance novels.

The workshops listed above are free to attend but places must be reserved in advance. There are limited places available for each workshop.

These workshops are part of Literature Wales’ programme of activity at the Glyn Jones Centre.

For more information and to book a place on a workshop, contact Literature Wales:
029 2047 2266 / post@literaturewales.org